Manager, Supplier Quality

Job Summary:

The Manager, Supplier Quality, is responsible for ensuring that the materials and components supplied by suppliers meet American Battery Solutions (“ABS”) quality standards. The Manager, Supplier Quality manages a team of quality engineers to oversee quality audits, conduct root cause analysis, implement corrective action and permanent solutions to prevent recurrence.  This role develops partnerships with suppliers and drives continuous improvement initiatives such as lean and Six Sigma to improve their performance.  

Responsibilities:

• Lead supplier quality engineering team to complete audits on components to ensure compliance with ABS quality standards.
• Drive resolution of quality issues with suppliers identifying root causes, implementing corrective actions and establishing permanent corrective actions to prevent reoccurrence.
• Develop and implement Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) processes with suppliers to ensure smooth transition from design to production.
• Drive problem solving activities including supplier sorting, third party sorting at ABS site or off site and ensuring timely RMA of the suspect material back to the supplier without negative impact to the ABS production.
• Train and coach suppliers and quality team on tools to improve performance such as lean, Six Sigma, 5 Whys, Fishbone, FMEA.
• Develop and maintain supplier performance management systems including supplier metrics, and scorecards to use data to drive improvements. 
• Ensure Production Part Approval Processes (PPAPs) are completed for production components.
• Collaborate with product teams and SDE to identify and implement quality requirements for new products, including critical characteristics and testing parameters.
• Develop, maintain and enhance systems to support the ISO / TS 16949 quality system
• Assist with logistics, including communications with vendors when there are packaging and receiving issues when materials arrive at the receiving dock.
• Adhere to federal and state regulations.
• Adhere to all company policies, processes, and procedures.
• Performs other duties as requested, directed, or assigned.
• Predictable and reliable attendance.

Position Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality Management, or a related field.
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in quality, product development, and/or purchasing.
• Minimum of three (3) years of progressive leadership experience.
• Strong understanding of quality management systems (ISO 9001, IATF) and quality tools (5 Whys, Fishbone, PPAP, FMEA, SPC, Kaizen, Six Sigma Green Belt).
• Proven experience in supplier quality management, including supplier development and performance monitoring.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to effectively collaborate with cross-functional teams and suppliers.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to identify root causes of quality issues.
• Experience in new product development processes and project management.
• Ability to communicate and make presentations to an audience effectively in a formal setting.

Key Competencies:

• Focuses on Quality: Drives work results with a quality focus on actions and results.
• Decision Making & Analysis: Makes sound decisions based upon a mixture of data-driven analysis, expertise, experience, and judgment; collects relevant information, seeking input from others, and identifies connections and/or root causes of problems
• Develops and Manages Employees: Actively develops knowledge, skills, and abilities of employees to leverage high performance.
• Influences Others: Has personal and organizational impact built on mutual trust, fairness, and honesty. Flexes their style to direct, collaborate, or empower as the situation requires.
• Delegates Effectively: Assigns work to others to maximize time for strategic thinking and actions. Provides clear guidelines, monitors, redirects, and sets limits as needed. Provides
• Continual Improvement: Displays a consistent orientation toward producing the highest quality products or services, while keeping a focus on sustainability. Constantly looking for incremental improvements in work processes and results.
• Delivers Results: Achievement-oriented, feeling a sense of urgency to reach goals on time, if not before.

Physical Requirements / Working Conditions:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Constantly operates a computer and other office equipment.
• Ability to adjust focus, especially due to concentration on a computer screen.
• Works in a temperature-controlled office environment, with occasional work in outdoor weather conditions, and in industrial environments.
• Ability to travel up to 20% to supplier locations for audits and on-site.

Why Join Us

American Battery Solutions (ABS) provides comprehensive 100% employer paid benefit plans to employees and their family, competitive salary and retirement program. ABS employs a diverse and inclusive workforce.

Benefits Overview 

• Paid time off includes 4 weeks, 15 holidays, and parental leave.
• 100% company-paid medical, dental, vision, short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance.
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA) offerings.
• Company provided 401K savings plan with immediately vested matching contributions to help you save for retirement.
• Voluntary benefits offerings.
• Tuition assistance.
• Employee Referral Program.
• Employee development and career growth opportunities.

About Us

American Battery Solutions Inc. (“ABS”) is a manufacturer of advanced batteries for commercial, fleet, and industrial on- and off-road vehicles. Located in the heart of the U.S. automotive region with facilities in Michigan and Ohio. In 2023, ABS was acquired by Komatsu, a world leader in construction, mining, forestry, and industrial heavy equipment in support of Komatsu’s 2050 carbon neutrality goal. ABS continues to operate as an independent entity serving Komatsu applications while continuing to expand and grow our core commercial, fleet and industrial business. 

As we have grown, ABS has assembled a world-class team of dedicated and experienced engineers. This team is equipped with a deep understanding of high-voltage, automotive-grade battery systems from concept development and prototyping, to testing and validation, to high-volume production. We pride ourselves on developing a diverse team of next generation battery experts.

The Location – Springboro, OH

American Battery Solutions Advanced Battery Manufacturing Center is located in beautiful and historic Springboro Ohio.  Life in Springboro is all about the quality and character of our community and that is why Springboro continues to be a top-ten-rated City to live, work, play, and raise a family. In fact, Springboro was rated #3 among the top 10 communities in greater Southwest Ohio.  In essence, Springboro appeals to everyone from young families to people looking for the perfect place to retire. Our great neighborhoods, excellent schools, safety, services, and amenities all contribute to Springboro’s exceptional quality of life. Springboro offers a variety of public programming that includes outdoor concerts, festivals, and fireworks. Our residents enjoy bike and walking trails, an 18-hole public golf course, a charming and vibrant historic district, and 501 acres of parks.

AMERICAN BATTERY SOLUTIONS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.