Supplier Quality Manager

The opportunity

Our purpose is to power good for a sustainable energy future, with pioneering power systems and digital technologies, being the partner of choice to enable stronger, smarter, and greener energy systems.

The Supplier Quality Manager has a direct reporting line to the Global Supply Chain Manager. This position is a high-impact role within the broader leadership team, driving globally scalable, reliable and cost-efficient suppliers and supplier relationships for quality operations.

You will recruit, lead and mentor a team of around 10 professionals who will be responsible for working with our suppliers and partners across the globe to ensure the delivery of consistent, sustainable materials and services that meet all technical, safety and sustainability standards. This position is ideal for individuals who combine strategic thinking with a hands-on, operational approach.

This is a remote based job within Europe, some travel is required for this role from time to time.

How you’ll make an impact

• Partners with Supply Chain Management (SCM) to develop standardized supply base management and quality training materials for localized deployment.
• Drives the deployment of and adherence to the supplier qualification process, ensuring active suppliers maintain full qualification and compliance.
• Provides transparent, regular quality and compliance status updates to the Supply Chain Management (SCM) leadership team.
• Guarantees corporate quality processes are thoroughly understood and effectively implemented across the organization
• Represents the “Voice of Supplier”, sharing strategic supplier perspectives and constraints when collaborating with internal functions, safeguarding long-term supply base sustainability and operational health.
• Coordinates with R&D, Engineering, Project Management, and SCM leadership to ensure SQEs receive timely input for an effective execution of critical product qualifications (APQP, PPAP, FAI, FAT).
• Supports Supplier Quality Engineers (SQEs) during the planning and execution of product qualifications, ensuring a rigorous evaluation of critical risk-assessment documentation, including supplier PFMEAs, Control Plans, and Process Flow Diagrams.
• Oversees the prompt resolution of supplier Non-Conformances (NCs), ensuring suppliers identify and execute robust process improvements.
• Co-defines supplier quality Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) with global SCM, ensuring regular performance reporting aligned with overall SCM strategy.
• Defines targeted supplier site inspections driven by specific risk profiles - such as underperforming vendors, new critical product introductions, or novel product developments - and collaborates with PQMs to formally integrate these requirements into Quality Control Plans (QCPs) or Inspection & Test Plans (ITPs).

Your background

• Minimum of 7+ years of progressive experience within Quality Assurance, Supplier Quality, or Operations, including a proven track record of at least 3 years in a leadership or team management role within a matrixed, large-scale organizational structure.
• Certified Lead Auditor (ISO9001 or similar).
• Six Sigma Green Belt.
• Demonstrates expert-level proficiency in leveraging structured methodologies (e.g., 8D, 5-Why, Ishikawa, Six Sigma DMAIC) to rapidly diagnose, contain, and remediate systemic supplier quality anomalies
• Mastery of advanced quality planning methodologies, including APQP/PPAP, FMEA, Control Plans, MSA (Gage R&R), and SPC (Statistical Process Control).
• Demonstrated capability to direct, mentor, motivate, and balance the workloads of geographically dispersed and multi-cultural Supplier Quality Engineers (SQEs) across different time zones.
• Demonstrates exceptional communication skills, synthesizing dense technical data into streamlined, high-impact reports and presentations tailored for SCM leadership and key business stakeholders.
• Proven ability to cultivate strong, collaborative networks with internal engineering, global category management, and project quality teams, fostering an environment of shared accountability for supply base success.

Accessibility and reasonable accommodation

Qualified individuals with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access the Hitachi Energy career site as a result of your disability. You may request reasonable accommodations by completing a general inquiry form on our website. Please include your contact information and specific details about your required accommodation to support you during the job application process.

This is solely for job seekers with disabilities requiring accessibility assistance or an accommodation in the job application process. Messages left for other purposes will not receive a response.

Use of Al and automated tools in recruitment

As part of our recruitment process, Hitachi Energy uses digital and automated tools, including Al-supported solutions, to assist with activities such as application screening, job matching, and interview scheduling. These tools are designed to support our recruiters and do not replace human decision-making. Candidate data is processed in accordance with applicable data protection and employment laws as well as Hitachi's Global Data Privacy Notice.

Background Screening and Security Checks

As part of the hiring process, Hitachi Energy conducts pre-employment background checks that may include verification of employment history, education, criminal records, and other relevant information, in accordance with applicable laws.

For certain roles - particularly those involving access to sensitive information, financial responsibilities, client data, regulated environments, or security-sensitive functions - additional or more comprehensive background or security screenings may be required. These may include, but are not limited to, enhanced criminal history checks, credit history reviews (where legally permissible), sanctions screening, or other due diligence measures aligned with the responsibilities of the position.

The scope and depth of any background or security review will be determined based on the nature of the role and business necessity, and will always be conducted in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Candidates will be notified and, where required, asked to provide consent prior to the initiation of any such checks.