Supplier Quality Assurance

Position Title:
Manager – Supplier Quality Assurance (SQA)

No. of Positions:
2

Location:
Primarily at 3rd Party Premises (with periodic reporting to Head Office – Gurgaon)

Industry:
Railways

Reports To:
CEO

Role Overview

The Supplier Quality Assurance (SQA) Manager will be responsible for ensuring that all products and services sourced from external suppliers consistently meet the organization's stringent quality requirements. This role demands strong supplier management skills, technical expertise in quality systems, and the ability to foster continuous improvement. The incumbent will work closely with suppliers and internal stakeholders to ensure compliance with industry standards (e.g., ISO 9001, AS9100), resolve quality issues, and drive performance enhancements across the supply base.

Key Responsibilities

1. Supplier Evaluation & Audits

• Conduct comprehensive assessments and audits of potential and existing suppliers to verify compliance with quality standards, specifications, and contractual requirements.
• Evaluate supplier capabilities, processes, and capacity to ensure alignment with company needs.
• Prepare detailed audit reports and follow up on action plans.

2. Quality Standards & Compliance

• Ensure supplier adherence to applicable quality standards, regulatory requirements, and customer-specific guidelines (ISO 9001, AS9100, etc.).
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant quality, safety, and compliance regulations.

3. Non-Conformance Management

• Investigate supplier-related non-conformances (NCRs) to determine root causes.
• Implement corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) in collaboration with suppliers.
• Monitor the closure of NCRs and verify effectiveness of implemented solutions.

4. Supplier Development

• Work with suppliers to identify process gaps and provide guidance to enhance product and process quality.
• Facilitate training sessions, knowledge sharing, and best practice implementation at supplier sites.

5. Performance Monitoring & Reporting

• Develop and maintain supplier scorecards covering KPIs such as defect rates, on-time delivery, and audit scores.
• Analyze performance data to identify trends and areas for improvement.
• Present supplier performance reports to management and cross-functional teams.

6. Cross-functional Collaboration

• Partner with engineering, purchasing, manufacturing, and program teams to resolve supplier quality issues efficiently.
• Support new product introduction (NPI) projects from a supplier quality perspective.

7. Continuous Improvement

• Lead and support initiatives aimed at reducing defects, improving supplier processes, and lowering total cost of quality.
• Promote Lean, Six Sigma, and other quality improvement methodologies with suppliers.

8. New Supplier Onboarding

• Guide new suppliers through the qualification process, ensuring full understanding of quality expectations.
• Review and approve supplier quality documentation and processes before production begins.

9. Documentation & Compliance

• Maintain accurate and complete records of supplier audits, inspections, and performance reviews.
• Ensure all documentation meets internal and external audit requirements.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, Quality Management, or related technical discipline.
• 6–10 years of relevant experience in Supplier Quality Assurance, preferably in Aerospace, Railways, or Defense manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge of ISO 9001, AS9100, and other relevant quality management standards.
• Proven track record in conducting supplier audits, NCR management, and supplier development.
• Experience with Lean, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement tools will be an advantage.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and negotiation skills.
• Ability to travel frequently to supplier sites.

Key Competencies

• Strong interpersonal and relationship management skills.
• High attention to detail and commitment to quality excellence.
• Proactive, solution-oriented mindset.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently at supplier sites while aligning with organizational objectives.