Sr Director - Global Supplier Quality

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At Varian, a Siemens Healthineers Company, we bring together the world's best talent to realize our vision of a world without fear of cancer. Together, we work passionately to develop and deliver easy-to-use, efficient oncology solutions.

We are part of an incredible community of scientists, clinicians, developers, researchers, professionals, and skilled specialists pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, to improve people’s lives around the world. We embrace a culture of inclusivity in which the power and potential of every individual can be unleashed. We spark ideas that lead to positive impact and continued success.

If you want to be part of this important mission, we want to hear from you. 

The Sr Dir, Global Supplier Quality onsite in Palo Alto reports to the VP of Supply Chain Quality. This newly organized role within Varian is responsible for managing the recently integrated global supplier quality team that is responsible for overall supplier quality working closely with our cross functional partners (procurement, engineering, supply chain and service).

As Sr Dir, Global Supplier Quality you will also drive our global “quality at the source” initiative which focuses on proactive measures to prevent defects rather than detection downstream. This will require leading the team to enhanced upfront collaboration with suppliers to establish more robust processes at the supplier and a higher quality output utilizing PPAP, SPC, Six Sigma, and Lean methodologies.  In addition, collaboration with our incoming inspection, product quality, procurement, supply chain, and engineering teams globally will be key to the overall success of this program.

• Establish requirements for suppliers to meet process and quality standards for GMPs.  Facilitates development of collaborative relationships with suppliers, ensuring long-term partnerships for the consistent delivery of high quality components and materials.
• Develop systems and procedures for selecting and monitoring vendors and suppliers to ensure their ability to meet engineering and quality standards with quality at the source.

The supplier quality organization includes both the strategic and operational components of supplier quality with 3 regional teams globally.  Global team reporting is both in a direct reporting and matrix reporting structure.  The role is responsible for the following supplier quality activities including:

• Supplier Selection & Early Involvement
• Supplier Qualification
• Supplier Monitoring and Development
• Quality at the Source / PPAP / APQP
• Quality Compliance
• NPI work with suppliers,
• Product Acceptance
• Quality Controls
• Continuous Improvement

Responsibilities also include supplier quality process ownership, project management of supplier quality issues, oversight of all supplier development plans as well as oversight (tracking and communications) of supplier quality escalations. 

Minimum Required Skills and Knowledge:

• Strong influencing skills, building and maintaining successful and effective trust-based working relationships with direct reports, management peers and other colleagues.
• Proven experience in project and change management, process excellence, business management techniques and organizational development.
• Deep experience leading global supplier quality organizations in a regulated industry.
• Knowledge of supplier quality requirements for a medical device company and best practices that should be followed globally.
• Specialized experience with creating and executing communication plans both for technical and non-technical stakeholders that identify key requirements, optimum means of communication and calls to action.
• Knowledge of supplier management requirements and controls including PPAP, SPC, Six Sigma, and Lean Methodologies
• Ability to independently and proactively identify areas for improvement, drive benchmarking initiatives by measuring and comparing the performance, efficiency, or quality of a product, service, or process against the industry best practices and initiate change to improve efficiency, quality and decrease the non-conformance costs.
• Deep technical experience in supply chain and manufacturing operations (including non-conformance cost reduction initiatives, etc.) in a medical device, automotive, or related industry with deep compliance requirements
• Demonstrated track record of a self-starter mindset, operating independently on multiple priorities with minimal oversight.
• Ability to travel up to 30%

Typical Education and Experience:

• Bachelors Degree or equivalent. Masters Degree preferred. 20 years of related experience. 10 year