Supplier Quality Program Manager

Job Title: Supplier Quality Program Manager Job Description The Supplier Quality Program Manager serves as the division-level leader for developing, implementing, and governing a standardized Supplier Quality Management (SQM) operating model across all Advanced Optics sites. This role owns the supplier quality strategy, framework, standards, metrics, governance, and continuous improvement roadmap needed to build a consistent, high-performing supplier quality program. The position establishes and maintains a common operating model for supplier qualification, incoming inspection, defect management, supplier corrective actions, supplier performance monitoring, escalation, and supplier development. The role focuses on reducing site-to-site variability, improving supplier accountability, and increasing enterprise-wide visibility into supplier quality risks and performance trends, while partnering closely with Global Supply Management, Procurement, Engineering, Operations, and Site Quality teams. Responsibilities

- Lead the development, implementation, and governance of the Supplier Quality Management program across all Advanced Optics sites, establishing a standardized operating model for supplier quality processes, metrics, and performance management.
- Create, implement, and maintain enterprise supplier quality standards and processes, including supplier defect management, incoming inspection data requirements, corrective action expectations, escalation pathways, and reporting practices.
- Develop and sustain supplier quality KPIs, scorecards, and reporting mechanisms that provide clear visibility into supplier performance, quality trends, and business risk.
- Partner cross-functionally with Global Supply Management, Procurement, Engineering, Operations, and Site Quality teams to drive supplier accountability, improve supplier capability, and reduce supplier-related quality issues.
- Lead the escalation and structured resolution of critical supplier quality issues, ensuring timely containment, effective corrective action, and appropriate leadership visibility.
- Monitor supplier quality performance across sites to identify systemic issues, standardization opportunities, and continuous improvement priorities.
- Support supplier qualification, audit, and supplier development activities to strengthen performance and ensure alignment with quality system expectations.
- Develop, maintain, and improve documentation, tools, and training materials required to sustain consistent execution of the supplier quality program across the division.
- Drive continuous improvement of supplier quality processes and workflows, promoting best practices and standardization across multiple manufacturing sites or business units.
- Serve as a hands-on subject matter expert in supplier quality, providing guidance, coaching, and support to site teams on defect management, root cause analysis, corrective actions, and performance monitoring.

Essential Skills

- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality Management, Supply Chain, or a related technical or business field.
- 7+ years of experience in supplier quality, manufacturing quality, or closely related roles.
- Prior program management or cross-functional leadership experience in a manufacturing environment.
- Experience driving quality improvement across multiple manufacturing sites or business units.
- Strong expertise in supplier quality management, including supplier corrective actions, incoming quality, defect management, and supplier performance monitoring.
- Hands-on experience with supplier quality programs supporting multiple sites.
- Proficiency in supplier quality practices such as supplier evaluation, audits, and corrective and preventive action management.
- Strong capability in quality assurance, quality processes, and performance management.
- Demonstrated ability to perform root cause analysis and implement effective corrective and preventive actions.
- Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams including Supply Management, Procurement, Engineering, Operations, and Quality.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

- Experience in Optics, Semiconductor, Aerospace/Defense, Medical Device, or Automotive industries is highly beneficial.
- Lean or Six Sigma certification (Green Belt or Black Belt) or demonstrated equivalent capability is preferred.
- Project management experience, including development of project charters, milestone planning, stage-gate processes, and disciplined execution across cross-functional initiatives.
- Experience improving workflow and reporting processes through standardized templates, controlled documentation, dashboards, and lightweight automation tools.
- Ability to design and manage supplier quality KPIs, scorecards, and reporting mechanisms.
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills to influence and align diverse teams around supplier quality objectives.
- Ability to develop and deliver training materials and tools to support consistent execution of supplier quality processes.

Work Environment This role operates within a manufacturing-focused environment supporting Advanced Optics sites and requires close collaboration with global supply management, procurement, engineering, operations, and quality teams. The position involves approximately 15% travel, primarily domestic, to visit supplier locations and internal manufacturing sites for audits, qualification, development activities, and cross-site alignment. Work is largely office-based with regular interaction with production and quality operations, and involves extensive use of documentation, dashboards, and standard templates to manage supplier performance and reporting. The environment emphasizes structured project execution, continuous improvement, and cross-functional teamwork, supported by established quality systems and governance frameworks. Compensation includes variable components with two bonus structures tied to individual performance and overall company performance, reflecting a culture that rewards impact, accountability, and measurable quality improvement.
Job Type & Location
This is a Permanent position based out of Fairport, NY.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $101000.00 - $141000.00/yr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. Health, Dental, Vision, 401k, Bonus Incentives, etc
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Fairport,NY.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Oct 7, 2026. About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without
regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,
sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected
by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or
adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability,
please email [email protected] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the
city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants
with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a
condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law
shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):
We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process,
including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications
and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you
acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.