Global SQE Manager

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Global SQE Manager based in Italy.

As Global Supplier Quality Engineering (SQE) Manager, you will lead the global supplier quality organization and ensure that materials, components, and services consistently meet stringent quality, reliability, regulatory, and customer requirements. You will define and implement a supplier quality strategy that supports business growth, operational excellence, cost competitiveness, and risk reduction across international operations. Working closely with Procurement, Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, and Customer Quality teams, you will drive supplier performance, strengthen quality systems, and minimize production disruptions.

You will oversee supplier qualification, audits, corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives while promoting a zero-defect mindset. This strategic leadership role offers the opportunity to influence global manufacturing standards, develop high-performing teams, and deliver measurable improvements in quality and operational efficiency. The position is remote within Europe, with occasional domestic and international travel.

Accountabilities

Define, implement, and continuously improve the global supplier quality strategy in alignment with business objectives, operational priorities, and customer expectations.

Lead the global Supplier Quality Engineering organization, developing talent, strengthening technical capabilities, and fostering a high-performance culture focused on accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Manage supplier quality budgets, resources, and priorities to ensure effective allocation and alignment with organizational needs.

Establish and maintain supplier qualification, approval, and validation processes to ensure suppliers meet quality, reliability, regulatory, and operational standards.

Lead supplier audits, surveillance activities, capability assessments, and performance reviews to identify risks, address gaps, and drive sustainable improvements.

Develop and maintain supplier scorecards, performance indicators, and reporting mechanisms to monitor quality, delivery, sustainability, compliance, and operational risks.

Drive supplier corrective and preventive actions, supplier development programs, and structured problem-solving initiatives to eliminate recurring defects and prevent quality failures.

Ensure effective implementation of Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP), Production Part Approval Process (PPAP), Safe Launch, and supplier validation activities, where applicable.

Lead the escalation and resolution of critical supplier quality issues, coordinating cross-functional teams to minimize production disruptions and protect customer satisfaction.

Promote preventive quality systems, zero-defect initiatives, and continuous improvement methodologies to reduce defects, field failures, and overall Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ).

Partner closely with Procurement, Operations, Engineering, Manufacturing Quality, and Customer Quality teams to align priorities, resolve complex challenges, and strengthen supplier relationships.

Leverage quality data, business intelligence tools, and performance analytics to identify trends, assess supplier risks, and guide strategic decision-making.

Requirements:

Bachelor's degree in an appropriate field with at least 12 years of relevant Supplier Quality Engineering experience, or a master's degree with at least 10 years of relevant experience.

Extensive experience in supplier quality management within electronic, automotive, industrial, aerospace, medical, or other highly regulated manufacturing environments.

Proven leadership experience managing supplier quality activities across multiple sites, regions, or business units, ideally within a global organization.

Strong expertise in supplier qualification, supplier audits, quality systems, corrective and preventive actions, supplier development, and performance management.

Practical knowledge of APQP, PPAP, Safe Launch, supplier validation, risk assessment, and structured problem-solving methodologies.

Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams, resolve complex quality issues, manage escalations, and deliver measurable improvements in supplier performance.

Strong understanding of quality-related business metrics, including defect reduction, cost of poor quality, warranty exposure, and operational risk…