Job DescriptionThe Successful Candidate
BAE Systems is seeking a Senior Leader of Supplier Quality for its Electronic Systems Sector in Nashua, NH. This position will lead a geographically diverse team of professionals responsible for development and oversight of a high-performing supply chain to predictably produce high order fulfillment rates, timely delivery, and delivers outstanding quality results. Supports the enterprise in driving quality, improved affordability, efficiency, and supply base performance with supplier partners including Strategic Sourcing initiatives aligned with Company-wide goals and objectives. The ability to effectively partner with multiple functional organizations across Electronic Systems is necessary for success. Demonstrate high degree of compliance, flexibility and efficiency in building systems and trust with suppliers and customers including regulatory agencies.
- Significant experience with, and an understanding of, sourcing and execution in regulated, demanding industries such as Aerospace/Defense, Medical Device, Automotive, or other challenging markets.
- A hands-on, engaged leader willing to take responsibility for resolving difficult challenges. Ability to navigate from enterprise trategic initiatives to tactical day-to-day actions required to support near-term business and diverse program needs.
- Proven ability to construct strategies for a global supply chain that maximizes quality performance, delivery predictability while optimizing overall cost. Turns strategies into actions with tangible results. An effective change leader.
- Critical ability to build strong supplier partnerships and leverage best quality control practices to drive performance
- Develop leaders and teams to be experts in quality science tools and methods to prevent problems, enabling success from initial sourcing. Drive robust root cause and corrective actions in supplier and internal business practices focused on mistake-proofing to assure business success.
- Exhibit strong risk mitigation skills by facilitating effective communication at all levels of the organization and across multiple cultures as well as into the customer or partner community.
- Has an agile leadership style and able to adjust one's approach to fit the situation as a driver, coach, mentor, or teacher.
- A visible leader who takes a collaborative approach , approachable and works well with all businesses and functions in the company.
- Relates well with individuals at all levels of the organization, builds appropriate rapport, constructive and effective relationships.
- Can diffuse high-tension situations calmly and effectively.
Key Responsibilities Include
- Design and implementation of Supply Chain oversight models to support business growth and improvement strategies with Business Areas and Programs, integrating the use of Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) tools in a long cycle business.
- Refine and execute strategic commodity oversight plans, in collaboration with team members and internal business partners.
- Ensure responsiveness to internal customers to meet service-level expectations while optimizing overall operating expenses.
- Partner with key suppliers to achieve superior quality performance, balancing risk and cost to develop mutually beneficial relationships that ensure long term success for both parties.
- Identify and qualify potential suppliers who provide the necessary technology and materials in support of strategic business plans. Drive and ensure suppliers are held accountable for meeting Quality, Deliver, and Cost needs and adopt continuous improvement initiatives to achieve performance excellence.
- Develop and implement communication strategies to ensure accurate and timely flow of information to leaders, team members, stakeholders and suppliers in the geographic area.
- Exhibits a high degree of technical credibility and communicates highly technical information in a simplistic and easily understandable way.
Because this role involves a combination of collaborative/in-person and independent work, it will take the form of a hybrid work format, with time split between working onsite and remotely.
Required Skills and EducationRequired Skills and Education
- Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or a technical field
- LSS Green Belt
- 15 years of relevant work experience in Supply Chain, Engineering, and Quality, preferably with 5+ years successfully leading a significant Supplier Quality organization
- Demonstrated mastery of the functional domain in Quality Science, strategy, standards and controls. Strong written, analytical and verbal communication skills
- Experience implementing Quality best practices, such as APQP/PPAP, through a Supply Chain supporting a large (>$1B annual revenue) manufacturing business
- Collaboration skills, Data Analytics, and Proficient in leveraging data science and Root Cause Corrective Actions implementation (RCCA)
- Extensive experience with Best in Class Manufacturing and Supply Chain principles, techniques, and Zero Defect tools and processes
- Demonstrated expertise in Industry Standards, Trade Associations, Certifications, and benchmarks. Comfortable interacting with Certifying Bodies to maintain required certifications.
- Capable of influencing a wide range of audiences, and having demonstrated leadership skills to win support via expanding sphere of influence across the organization
- Willingness to travel up to approximately 25% of the time
- Ability to secure a US DoD security clearance
Preferred Skills and EducationPreferred Skills and Education
- Technical MS and MBA degrees
- Black Belt certification from ASQ
- Proficient in leveraging quality science tools, processes and people
- Experience implementing AS9145 APQP/PPAP in aerospace and defense industry, or another long cycle business, on both new launch and post-qualification programs
- Experience with Quality 4.0, IoT, AI or supply chain AI to enable problem solving, value creation
- ASQ Certified Quality Engineer, Auditor or CQM/OE Certification
- Active Secret or higher clearance
- Approachable hands-on style with the ability to engage with people at all levels of management. Customer experience, including in a regulatory engagement, is desired
- Demonstrated track record of recruiting, retaining and promoting talent (executive and managers) to create diverse high performing teams
- Must be able to demonstrate accomplishments in setting strategic direction, prioritizing tasks, and overcoming obstacles
