Director of Supplier Quality - Operations & Compliance

The Director will have direct responsibility for supplier quality processes, standard operating procedures (SOPs), tools, dashboards, key performance indicators (KPIs), and the Approved Supplier List (ASL). A key priority is developing and implementing a Supplier Quality Operations strategy that centralizes and standardizes processes while ensuring consistent compliance across Agilent sites, SQ business leads, SQ category leads, and suppliers.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Own, improve, and standardize supplier quality processes, including supplier Audits, Supplier Corrective Action Requests (SCARs), Supplier Change Management, Supplier Review Boards (SRBs), and Approved Supplier List (ASL) processes.
• Partner closely with Procurement, business and site leadership, Category teams, and other cross-functional stakeholders to ensure effective and consistent execution of supplier quality processes.
• Develop, improve, and continuously monitor a standardized KPI and metrics program, including executive-level dashboards that provide meaningful, actionable visibility into supplier performance and overall supply chain health.
• Present and support Supplier Quality metrics and performance discussions during Quality Management Review (QMR) and Supplier Review Board (SRB) meetings.
• Manage the quality aspects of the Approved Supplier List in partnership with Procurement.
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement across the Supplier Quality function, establish project ownership, monitor progress, and ensure measurable results at project completion.
• Develop and manage the Supplier Quality outsourcing strategy, including evaluating outsourcing opportunities for audits, root cause analysis (RCA), and other Supplier Quality activities.
• Strengthen the culture of quality and compliance by identifying and implementing continuous improvement opportunities across Supplier Quality processes.
• Partner with Procurement to establish a consistent "One-Voice Agilent" approach when communicating with the supply base.
• Evaluate and implement a supplier portal in collaboration with cross-functional stakeholders.
• Engage key supplier management teams through structured business reviews to monitor performance metrics, identify trends, address risks, and implement programs that deliver measurable performance improvements.
• Lead, manage, coach, and develop a high-performing and diverse team of Supplier Quality professionals.
• Own and manage the budget for the Supplier Quality Operations function.
• Strengthen supplier and organizational quality culture through coaching, technical engagement, and collaborative problem-solving.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, or a related discipline preferred.
• 5+ years of direct or related experience in Supplier Quality.
• 3+ years of experience leading and managing teams.
• Experience owning or managing a Quality Management System (QMS), particularly Supplier Quality processes associated with ISO 9001 and/or ISO 13485.
• Significant experience with sourcing, supplier management, and quality execution within highly regulated or demanding industries such as medical devices, automotive, aerospace and defense, or similarly complex markets.
• Demonstrated experience working effectively within a matrixed organization.

Essential Skills & Competencies

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively across organizational levels, functions, cultures, and external organizations.
• Proactive, self-directed leadership style with the ability to identify challenges, develop solutions, and drive implementation.
• Strong commitment to quality, compliance, operational efficiency, and continuous improvement.
• Demonstrated ability to build effective systems and establish trust with suppliers, internal customers, and regulatory stakeholders.
• Proven ability to motivate, coach, and develop team members while fostering collaboration and teamwork.
• Ability to navigate and de-escalate challenging or high-pressure situations calmly and effectively.
• Strong cross-functional leadership and stakeholder-management capabilities.
• Ability to translate supplier and quality data into actionable insights for senior leadership.
• Ability to travel occasionally.