Supplier Quality Manager- Americas

Supplier Quality Manager – Americas

Company Summary
Tier 1 to the world’s leading industry manufacturers, Latecoere serves aerospace with innovative solutions for a sustainable world. The Group operates in all segments of the aerospace industry (commercial, regional, business, defense and space) in two business areas: Aerostructures (doors, fuselage, wings and empennage, struts & rods) and Interconnection Systems (wiring, avionic racks, onboard equipment, electronic systems).

Position Summary
The Supplier Quality Manager – Americas is responsible for leading and coordinating Supplier Quality activities across six production sites in North and South America (Vancouver, Mexico, and Brazil). This role provides functional leadership to subsidiary Supplier Quality teams and ensures the effective implementation of supplier monitoring, risk management, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement initiatives.

The role serves as the primary escalation point for supplier-related quality issues, drives Root Cause & Corrective Action (RCCA) for non-quality events impacting supply chain performance, and ensures alignment with aerospace regulatory standards and customer requirements. The position plays a strategic role in supplier panel governance, new program readiness, and purchasing quality strategy.

Key Responsibilities

1. Functional Leadership & Organizational Oversight

• Functionally support Supplier Quality personnel across subsidiary sites in the Americas.
• Provide guidance, coaching, and technical support to local Supplier Quality Engineers and Managers.
• Ensure alignment of supplier quality practices, tools, and standards across all sites.
• Allocate and adapt Supplier Quality development resources according to new program launches and business growth.
• Support employees in complex supplier situations (quality management, operational performance, escalation management).

2. Supplier Monitoring & Performance Management

• Lead the supplier monitoring process across the Americas division.
• Manage the supplier panel monitoring framework and annual audit plan with site-level teams.
• Define, implement, and standardize KPIs to measure:
• Supplier quality performance (PPM, escape rate, audit findings)
• Corrective action effectiveness
• Compliance with monitoring procedures
• Ensure the reliability and execution of supplier improvement and recovery plans.
• Drive supplier accountability through structured governance reviews.

3. RCCA & Non-Quality Issue Management

• Lead Root Cause & Corrective Action (RCCA) processes for supplier-related non-quality issues.
• Ensure containment, corrective actions, and systemic preventive actions are effectively deployed.
• Escalate critical supplier quality issues to senior management and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Manage supplier quality crises and coordinate recovery plans across affected production sites.

4. Supplier Risk Management

• Define and maintain supplier risk management methodologies, tools, and governance processes.
• Lead the supplier risk assessment process (quality, capacity, financial, geopolitical, operational risks).
• Maintain and regularly update supplier risk matrices and mitigation strategies.
• Ensure proactive risk mitigation plans are implemented and monitored.
• Collaborate with Purchasing and Operations to manage high-risk suppliers.

5. Continuous Improvement & Process Governance

• Formalize, document, and maintain standardized Supplier Quality procedures.
• Produce benchmarking analyses and monitor business improvement initiatives.
• Participate in internal, customer, and regulatory audits and manage related improvement plans.
• Monitor regulatory and customer requirement changes and adapt processes accordingly.
• Ensure compliance with aerospace quality standards (e.g., AS9100, NADCAP, customer-specific requirements).

6. New Program & Supplier Development Support

• Ensure Supplier Quality readiness for new product development and program launches.
• Support Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) activities with suppliers.
• Contribute to supplier capability development and qualification processes.
• Align Supplier Quality resources with new program ramp-up requirements.

7. Strategic Purchasing & Supplier Panel Contribution

• Contribute to Purchasing strategy by:
• Participating in supplier selection and qualification processes
• Supporting supplier panel management decisions
• Providing input into Purchasing and Quality budget planning
• Collaborate with Procurement to balance cost, quality, risk, and performance.

8. Reporting, Communication & Representation

• Communicate and report Supplier Quality performance, risks, bottlenecks, and crisis situations to senior management and program teams.
• Provide regular divisional dashboards and executive-level summaries.
• Represent the organization in front of customers and third-party organizations regarding Supply Chain Quality matters.
• Support customer audits and participate in supplier-related customer reviews.
• Act as the Americas focal point for Supplier Quality within the global organization.

Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Industrial, Aerospace, or related field required)
• Master’s degree preferred

Experience:

• 8+ years of experience in Supplier Quality, Manufacturing Quality, or Supply Chain Quality within the aerospace or highly regulated manufacturing industry.
• Demonstrated experience managing multi-site or regional Supplier Quality organizations.
• Demonstrated experience auditing to:
• AS9100 (Rev D) Quality Management Systems
• ISO 9001
• Customer-specific aerospace requirements
• Direct experience conducting:
• Supplier Quality System audits
• Special process audits
• Process and product audits
• Surveillance and follow-up audits
• Experience leading RCCA and complex supplier recovery initiatives.

Technical Skills:

Strong knowledge of:

• RCCA methodologies (8D, 5-Why, Fishbone)
• Risk management frameworks (FMEA, risk matrices)
• Supplier performance metrics and governance
• Quality management systems
• Experience with ERP and Quality Management Systems (SAP preferred).
• Proficiency in data analysis and KPI reporting tools.

Leadership Competencies:

• Strategic thinker with strong operational execution capability.
• Ability to lead and influence cross-functional and remote teams.
• Strong negotiation and escalation management skills.
• Crisis management and structured problem-solving mindset.
• High level of autonomy, accountability, and decision-making capability.
• Excellent communication and executive reporting skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a multicultural, multi-site environment.

Location: Remote- Mountain Lake Terrace, WA
(Supporting 6 Production Sites across North & South America)
Reports To: VP Quality Operations- Americas
Travel: 35-60% (supplier visits, site support, audits)
Salary Range: $98,000 to $110,000

#WeAreLatecoere: the diversity of our teams is a strength. As a responsible employer,
Latecoere encourages an inclusive work environment and is committed to equal
opportunities for all candidates, without restriction. All our jobs address the challenges
of innovation and sustainable development. Join us to boost your career and contribute
to our purpose: to serve aerospace with innovative solutions for a sustainable world.

Pay: $98,000.00 - $110,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• AD&D insurance
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Experience:

• Supplier Quality: 5 years (Required)
• Aerospace: 6 years (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043 (Required)

Willingness to travel:

• 50% (Preferred)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043