Supplier Quality Category/Pillar Lead – Specialized Technology
Agilent Technologies
Summary
The Supplier Quality Category/Pillar Lead – Specialized Technology, who will report to the AVP, Supplier Quality, will be responsible for developing, maintaining, and optimizing suppliers within the Specialized Technology supplier category/pillar, supporting all Agilent businesses and sites, to improve product and process quality and delivery within that category. This role is Supplier facing and manages the strategy and execution of everything related to Supplier Quality, at the suppliers within that category/pillar. Initially will be an individual contributor role, with potential future team growth, responsible for ISO13485/9001, Lean-6 Sigma, and Quality science tool deployment and continuous improvement at those category suppliers, that will have substantial impact on the KPIs, business results, and on delivering operational excellence to customers. This role will closely partner with the core teams of the Supplier Quality function (Business/Site teams and Operations lead) and the Procurement Pillar team, to ensure their category/pillar supply base is assessed, qualified, and consistently delivering a quality product. This individual must be a self-starting leader who can effectively partner with multiple functional organizations internally (Agilent) and externally (Supply Base) for success.
Job description
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
- Develop, execute, lead, and enhance a global supplier quality strategy in partnership with Procurement and NPI partners, across the Specialized Technology Category/Pillar, and aligned to business area short and long-term objectives
- Total ownership of the category/pillar supply base quality through product life cycle, from initial sourcing to development, launch, and ongoing business management
- Work to define and implement initiatives that includes capability, performance, quality, cost, and delivery improvements to our internal and external customers, using ISO13485/9001, Lean-6Sigma, and Quality science tools
- Evaluate, qualify, create development plans, and manage the status for the category/pillar suppliers in the maintenance of the ASL
- Drive rapid Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA) investigations to prevent defects and communicate to internal partners
- Monitor, report on, and improve on key category supplier KPIs, understanding root cause(s) of changes in metrics, identify trends and associated action plans
- Drive APQP and Quality Science tool deployment in key suppliers of the defined category supply base to mitigate risk
- Partner with Procurement to create a One-Voice Agilent message to the supply base and internal partners
- In collaboration with the Business Supplier Quality lead, drive the SCAR, Audit, supplier change management, quality agreements, risk management, qualification and FAI processes
- Responsible for engaging key category supplier management in a business review process to monitor metrics, identify trends and implement programs to assure demonstrated performance improvements
- As the function matures and potentially grows, manages and develops a high performing and diverse team of Supplier Quality Engineers within their category/pillar, prioritized by global regions (eventually)
- Own and manage the Supplier Quality budget for your team, if the team grows
- Enhance category/pillar supplier and organization quality culture through coaching and technical engagement
Qualifications
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality or Manufacturing preferred
- 5+ years’ direct experience, or related experience in Supplier Quality, preferably within the category/pillar defined; prefer experience managing teams
- Experience with ISO 9001/13485 Quality Systems; APQP is a desire; Lean and 6Sigma certifications a plus
- Experience with, and an understanding of, sourcing and execution in regulated, demanding industries such as Medical Device, Automotive, Aerospace/Defense, or other challenging markets
Essential Skills
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively with people at all levels and in diverse and different settings
- Self-starter; identifies challenges/problems and takes the initiative to identify solutions
- Must demonstrate high degree of compliance, flexibility and efficiency in building systems and trust with suppliers and customers including regulatory agencies
- Motivates team members, fosters and nurtures teamwork
- Can diffuse high-tension situations calmly and effectively
- Must be able to travel globally and work with all cultures
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality or Manufacturing preferred
- 5+ years’ direct experience, or related experience in Supplier Quality
- Experience with ISO 9001/13485 Quality Systems
- APQP is a desire
- Lean and 6Sigma certifications a plus
- Experience with sourcing and execution in regulated industries such as Medical Device, Automotive, Aerospace/Defense
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively at all levels
- Self-starter; identifies challenges/problems and takes initiative
- High degree of compliance, flexibility and efficiency
- Motivates team members, fosters teamwork
- Can diffuse high-tension situations calmly
- Must be able to travel globally and work with all cultures
Benefits
- Bonus
- Stock
- Health Insurance
Company overview
Agilent Technologies is a global leader in life sciences, diagnostics, and applied markets, delivering innovative solutions that advance scientific discovery and improve quality of life. Founded in 1999 as a spin-off from Hewlett-Packard, the company has grown into a major player in analytical instrumentation and laboratory services. With approximately 18,000 employees worldwide and annual revenues exceeding $6.5 billion, Agilent provides a comprehensive portfolio of instruments, software, services, and consumables that serve laboratories across pharmaceutical, biotechnology, clinical diagnostics, environmental, food safety, and academic research sectors. The company's product offerings span chromatography systems, mass spectrometry, spectroscopy, cell analysis platforms, molecular diagnostics, and laboratory informatics solutions. Agilent's expertise extends beyond hardware to include comprehensive laboratory management services through its CrossLab division, which helps customers optimize laboratory operations, ensure regulatory compliance, and maximize research productivity. The company's commitment to innovation and customer support has made it a trusted partner for scientists and researchers worldwide who rely on Agilent's technologies to address complex analytical challenges and drive scientific breakthroughs.