Senior Manager – Global Supplier Quality
Contract Type: 12-month Fixed-Term Contract
Location: UK Remote
Pay rate: £80-85,000 p/a
Role Summary
The Senior Supplier Quality Manager leads strategic initiatives and manages a global team of quality professionals. This role ensures supplier quality processes are harmonized across business units and compliant with regulatory standards. The position involves cross-functional collaboration, supplier relationship management, and continuous improvement in quality systems.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Collaboration
* Develop and deploy global supplier quality strategies aligned with business and compliance needs.
* Partner with senior leaders across departments (Quality, Supply Chain, NPD, Operations, Packaging, Regulatory).
* Support Procurement in identifying and certifying alternative suppliers.
Supplier Relationship & Performance
* Establish and manage strategic supplier relationships.
* Negotiate and enforce supplier quality agreements, ensuring compliance with legal, regulatory and contractual requirements.
* Define and track KPIs to monitor supplier performance and resolve issues.
Stakeholder Communication
* Communicate initiatives confidently to internal stakeholders.
* Build strong relationships with senior leaders.
* Ensure alignment and effective communication across departments.
Continuous Improvement
* Lead supplier development programs and quality improvement workshops.
* Champion Lean Six Sigma and other methodologies to reduce defects and improve processes.
* Enhance quality management systems and supplier training programs.
Team Leadership
* Manage a global team of ~10 professionals.
* Set KPIs and performance objectives.
* Conduct reviews, coaching, and succession planning.
Issue Resolution
* Oversee CAPA processes and root cause analysis.
* Support internal teams in resolving quality-related challenges.
Change Management
* Assign resources to support global supplier quality changes.
* Ensure systems and processes are in place for effective change communication.
Skills & Experience
* 8+ years in the medical device industry.
* 5+ years in a quality managerial role.
* Considered Subject Matter Expert in internal and supplier related NC/CAPAs.
* Considered Subject Matter Expert in supplier onboarding, performance management, auditing and quality agreement establishment.
* Advanced knowledge and implementation of effective quality control for manufacturing and supply chain operations, particularly in supplier evaluation, selection, auditing, and supplier management programs.
* Ability to negotiate and partner with internal and external customers to enhance operational effectiveness.
* Advanced knowledge of GxP and relative standards for manufacturing environments.
* Ability to lead a diverse team in a complex, changing environment, to deliver value-added results to the business.
* Ability to establish and develop global based team of individuals to meet the requirements of the business needs relating to supplier quality.
* Demonstrated Statistical skills and ability to establish and respond to supplier related metrics.
* Advanced knowledge of quality control principles and their relationship to relevant regulatory requirements.
* Knowledge of ISO 14971 Risk Management.
* Strong knowledge of regulatory requirements that affect the medical device manufacturing business and put policies and systems in place to achieve conformance: QSR Part 820, ISO 13485, MDD 93/42, ISO 9001, GMP Parts 201 and 211, EU MDR.
* Coaching and development skills.
Education & Certifications
* Minimum B.S. in a scientific/technical discipline (Advanced degree preferred).
* ISO 13485 certified lead auditor (mandatory).
* Desirable: CQE, CQA, Project Management certifications.