What are the responsibilities and job description for the Manager, Supplier Quality position at Harley-Davidson?
Auto req ID: 39234
Title: Manager, Supplier Quality
Job Function: Manufacturing
Location: PILGRIM
Company: Harley-Davidson Motor Company
Full or Part-Time: Full Time
Shift: SHIFT1
At Harley-Davidson, we are building more than machines. It’s our passion and commitment to continue the evolution of this storied brand, and heighten the desirability of the Harley-Davidson experience. To keep building our legend and leading our industry through innovation, evolution, and emotion we need the best and brightest talent. We stand for the timeless pursuit of adventure. Freedom for the soul. Are you ready to join us?
The Harley-Davidson Motor Company Product Development Center (PDC) located in Wauwatosa, WI is home to the mantra – You dream it. We build it. Join our team as a Manager, Supplier Quality.
Job Summary
The Supplier Quality Manager is responsible for leading the supplier quality team and ensuring supplier performance across the full product lifecycle — from new product introduction (NPI) through mass production and field warranty support. This role sets the quality expectations for all inbound material, develops the capability of the supplier base, drives systemic corrective actions, and ensures that supplier quality issues do not impact production or customers.
The Supplier Quality Manager will oversee a team of Supplier Quality Engineers (Level I, II, III) and work cross-functionally with engineering, purchasing, production, and warranty teams to support Harley-Davidson’s commitment to delivering exceptional quality and craftsmanship to every rider.
Job Responsibilities
Leadership & Team Development:
- Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Supplier Quality Engineers at varying levels of experience.
- Establish goals and performance metrics aligned to plant and corporate quality objectives.
- Build organizational capability through technical coaching, standard work, and skill development.
Supplier Quality Management:
- Set clear quality expectations for suppliers in alignment with company standards and customer requirements.
- Ensure robust APQP execution and successful PPAP submissions for all sourced components.
- Oversee supplier audits, corrective action management, and supplier development activities.
Production & Warranty Support:
- Manage incoming quality performance, ensuring effective containment and resolution of supplier issues.
- Monitor supplier KPIs (PPM, responsiveness, corrective action effectiveness) and escalate risks.
- Collaborate with warranty and engineering teams to drive root cause resolution for field issues.
- Champion closed-loop feedback from field failures back to supplier corrective actions.
Cross-Functional Collaboration:
- Partner with Supply Chain, Engineering, and Plant Operations to ensure proactive risk management during sourcing and launch.
- Represent supplier quality in daily plant reviews, launch readiness meetings, and warranty deep dives.
- Support Make vs. Buy analysis and Design for Manufacturability reviews with supplier insights.
Continuous Improvement:
- Drive systemic improvements in supplier processes using problem-solving methodologies (8D, 5Why, Ishikawa).
- Lead strategic initiatives to improve supplier quality performance year-over-year.
- Analyze trends, build dashboards, and report out supplier quality performance to leadership.
Education Requirements
Education Specifications
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a technical discipline; Master’s degree preferred
Experience Requirements
- Perform other SQ-related activities as needed.
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a technical discipline; Master’s degree preferred
- 10 years of experience in supplier quality, manufacturing quality, or operations
- 5 years of leadership or team management experience
- Strong knowledge of APQP, PPAP, FMEA, MSA, SPC, GD&T, and IATF 16949 requirements
- Experience managing supplier quality issues from NPI through production and warranty phases
- Proven ability to lead supplier corrective actions, audits, and development activities
- Strong data analysis, reporting, and problem-solving skills
- Excellent communication, leadership presence, and cross-functional collaboration skills
- Willingness to travel domestically and internationally (up to 50%)
Harley-Davidson is an equal opportunity employer that continues to build a culture of inclusion, belonging and equity through our commitment to attracting and retaining diverse talent from all backgrounds, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, gender identity, age, disability, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law. We believe in fairness and providing a level playing field for all. We foster a culture that thrives on diverse perspectives and contributions to ignite the creativity and innovation to fuel our business and enhance the employee and customer experience.
The pay range shown represents the national average pay range for this role. Your pay may be more or less than the stated range and is dependent on your geographic location and level of experience.
We offer an inclusive compensation package for all full-time salaried employees including, but not limited to, annual bonus programs, health insurance benefits, a 401k program, onsite fitness centers and employee stores, employee discounts on products and accessories, and more. Learn more about Harley-Davidson here.
Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States.
Direct Reports: Yes
Travel Required: 25 - 50%
Pay Range: $111,400-167,300
Visa Sponsorship: This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship
Relocation: This position is not eligible for relocation assistance
Salary : $111,400 - $167,300