Job Description

Who we want:

Managers who drive performance. People who implement process improvements and leverage the talent of their team to consistently increase performance and productivity.

Effective communicators. People who can interpret information clearly and accurately to concisely communicate results and recommendations to stakeholders, senior management, and their teams.

Analytical problem solvers. People who go beyond just fixing to identify root causes, evaluate optimal solutions, and recommend comprehensive upgrades to prevent future issues.

Stryker is hiring a Senior Manager, Supplier Quality Assurance (Remote) to be located in the Mid-West United States. This role will be virtually based, preferably within reasonable driving distance of a Stryker location.

What you will do:

As a Senior Manager, Supplier Quality Assurance, you will lead a regional team of Supplier Quality Managers and Engineers in a strategic approach of implementing industry known improvements to assure capability within the Stryker Global Supply. The focus of improvements will be to ensure regulatory compliance and pursue continuous improvement to minimize and eliminate customer complaints, supply disruptions, and defects. This will be done with effective prioritization, management and six Sigma skill to develop and implement quality improvement plans with suppliers in accordance with Strykers mission & strategic goals.

* Responsible to support supplier growth & development by collaborating with DOL, DML, Sourcing leads, Suppliers and Operations to enable reduction in cost of poor quality. In addition, collaborate with Operations Quality, and M&A teams to support and protect integration sites.
* Responsible to lead cross-functional strategic teams that engage with suppliers to improve their quality and delivery and execute appropriate continuous improvement at multiple sites.
* Lead Global Supplier initiatives for Continuous Improvement (EQUIP)
* Develop strategies to train and deploy the supplier Continuous Improvements initiatives globally
* Communicate, influence & partner across all levels of management.
* Lead and develop the activities of a Regional group of Global Supplier Quality Engineering, with the key focus on proactive preventions that improve supplier performance and capability to assure product conformance.
* Partner & collaborate with sourcing in the selection of new suppliers. Collaborate with cross functional partners to deploy EQUIP & other Continuous improvement tools at Suppliers to improve supplier score card.
* Manage a team to resolve systemic supplier quality processes and ensure issues are appropriately evaluated.
* Establish annual budgets and quarterly forecasts. Make necessary changes with appropriate management involvement.
* Communicate and collaborate with Quality Assurance, R&D, Service, Global Supply, Finance, Sales, and Marketing departments to ensure corporate goals and strategies are met.
* Influence the organization across departments (i.e. Sourcing, Quality, Regulatory) to support supplier quality strategy and make sound decisions on supplier strategy and site direction.
* Apply leadership expectations (Setting Direction, Inspiring Others, Delivering Results, Building Organizational Capability and Developing Talent) in order retain and engage the team.
* Provide guidance, recommendations to drive timely supplier implementation plans to meet or adhere to new regulatory requirements or expectations.
* Manage and provide updates for supplier quality metrics. Drive continuous improvement activities to meet and exceed these metrics.
* Establish the use of standard processes and quality tools to ensure effective management and resolution of supplier issues.
* Support development of team members in association with their career path and creating a viable succession plan.
* Enable Global relationships and structure for team to interact with multiple Divisions.
* Create a structure for your team, identify appropriate talent, create succession plans, develop job descriptions, objectives, and Key Performance Indicators and performance goals. Perform effective evaluations assessing team members performance.
* Drive strategic planning and management of supplier compliance activities with management responsibilities over multiple sites.
* Develop the teams expertise and team dynamics through continuous coaching, promoting development programs and formal appraisals through the performance review process.
* Maintain an environment that promotes engagement and collaboration.
* Act as functional proxy to leadership, based on necessary requirements.
* Partner with global and regional Sourcing partners to drive supplier business and quality requirements and expectations.
* Partner with Quality, Division, Corporate, Sourcing and Operations leaders ensuring that a culture of Quality First and Compliance Always is promoted and strengthened within Stryker and our Suppliers.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

* Ensure that Supplier Quality teams are filled with talented, engaged and continually developed team members in accordance with budgeted staffing and expense levels.
* Develop appropriate quality systems, skills and organizational structure to meet quality expectations and business needs.
* Develop and monitor budgets for the Global Supply Supplier Quality function, including ensuring appropriate resources to meet/exceed plant quality goals and Global Operation and Divisions objectives.
* Recruit, coach, develop, and lead a highly effective and motivated supplier quality group across multiple geographical locations while mentoring and coaching the team in leading best practices in supplier quality and ensure their ongoing career development.
* Perform periodic talent reviews and ensure succession plans are in place for key leadership and technical roles.
* Initiate and enhance training programs to advance understanding of regulatory requirements, supplier quality improvement programs and problem-solving techniques.
* Leverage talent and experience across Stryker and drive a standardized approach to Supplier Quality across the network.
* Sets overall departmental goals and priorities and evaluates subordinates performance against those goals and priorities.
* Coaches and develops direct report subordinates.
* Responsible for inter-departmental compliance with company policies and corrective actions.

What you will need:

Basic Qualifications:

* Bachelors Degree in Engineering with Science discipline or equivalent
* 10+ years quality, operations and/or supply chain experience in Medical Device, Pharma, Automotive, Oil & Gas, and/or Aerospace industry.

Preferred Qualifications:

* GMP manufacturing environment experience, preferred
* Demonstrated knowledge of U.S. Food and Drug regulations, as well as of European and international regulatory/industry guidelines/standards, and ability to interpret and apply.
* Experience of managing inspections/audits by the FDA and other regulatory bodies
* Thorough knowledge of current regulations, pertinent regulatory guidance and industry trends.
* An understanding of the technical aspects of the areas understand the process, operational terminology etc.
* Demonstrates the ability to lead and navigate in a matrix and global organization with a broad scope and high level of complexity.
* Working knowledge of quality tools such as SPC / Process Control, FMEA, APQP, PPAP/FAI, FMEA, MSA, Control Plan, & Control Charts, Problem Solving / Root Cause Analysis, Poka-Yoke, and other Six Sigma tools.
* Leadership ability to develop and implement organization and functional strategy.
* Initiates, sponsors and implements change and a demonstrated track record in QA Improvement.
* Works with a sense of urgency and attention to detail at all times.
* Makes timely and sound decisions, through effective approaches for choosing a course of action or developing appropriate solutions.
* Works effectively with cross functional teams to produce innovative solutions. Demonstrates Initiative, ability to efficiently prioritize and manage multiple projects
* Ability to develop organizational relationship and build trust, mentoring, coaching and performance management.
* Strong verbal and interpersonal skills.
* Travel required up to 50%

LI-Remote