Senior Manager, Supplier Quality NPI & Process Excellence (Onsite)

Join Axon and be a Force for Good.

At Axon, we’re on a mission to Protect Life. We’re explorers, pursuing society’s most critical safety and justice issues with our ecosystem of devices and cloud software. Like our products, we work better together. We connect with candor and care, seeking out diverse perspectives from our customers, communities and each other.

Life at Axon is fast-paced, challenging and meaningful. Here, you’ll take ownership and drive real change. Constantly grow as you work hard for a mission that matters at a company where you matter.

Your Impact

The Supplier Quality NPI & Process Excellence Senior Manager is a member of the Global Quality & HW Reliability team. The role aims to execute a unified approach to managing Quality throughout the supply chain with the intent to deliver world class quality products, services and processes that meet the high standards of Axon. The primary focus of this role for Supplier Quality is two-fold:

NPI Rigor:

• Be a core member of the NPI team. Engage in new supplier and Contract Manufacturer selection and qualification, including sub-tiers affecting final product quality involving critical processes, to ensure that supplier capabilities are well aligned with Axon requirements.
• Lead Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) and Design for Manufacturing (DFM) reviews with suppliers and ensure timely part qualifications using PPAP methodology. Implement and communicate supplier performance on CTQs to drive continuous improvements and capable processes.
• Deliver in time on Axon’s Product Lifecycle (APL) gate exit requirements for each milestone.

Process Excellence: 

• Develop and implement best in class Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
• Design, develop and implement visual dashboards using tools such as Power BI to monitor and drive excellence on Supplier Quality KPIs & Metrics & Measures (M&Ms)
• Conduct operating reviews for the global supplier quality team, and at the enterprise level on supplier performance metrics; influence improvements in functional KPIs, processes and operating mechanisms.

He/She will represent the voice of Quality to our supply chain partners and is a continuous quality improvement force within the organization through effective interactions and collaboration with the broader Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Engineering and Product Management teams as well as within the QA organization.

What You’ll Do
Location: Scottsdale, AZ office
Reports to: Senior Director, Global Supplier Quality
Travel Requirements ~20% travel potential. This could vary based on situational demand.
The Supplier Quality NPI & Process Excellence Manager is responsible for the following:

New Product Introduction (NPI) Supplier Quality activities including supplier selection & qualification, supplier assessments and part approvals.

• • Ensuring new supplier capability assessments in partnership with Supply Chain and Engineering.
  • Working with suppliers to build strong partnerships, establish timelines for part qualifications and accomplish timely PPAP approvals in support of product launch.
  • Ensuring measurement methods between supplier and Axon are aligned upfront.
  • Establishing and maintaining an Approved Supplier List (ASL) for Axon with systemic controls for supplier add/remove.
  • Developing, implementing, and continuously improving global procedures, work instructions, and guidance, while training to operationalize Supplier Quality requirements.
  • Supporting processes adopted by Supplier Quality and Supplier Development team members globally for consistent execution through training, coaching, tool support, and guidance.
  • Establishing Key Performance Indicators for Supplier Performance Management.
  • Establishing Supplier Quality performance dashboards and facilitating KPI/metrics reviews and business reviews with global team; circulating meeting minutes and follows up on closure of all open actions.
  • Identifying system-wide risks, develops risk mitigation plans, and drives actions to closure. Demonstrating knowledge and courage to escalate risks early.
  • Leading SCAR Review Board with team members to drive supplier corrective actions. Improving timeliness and effectiveness of SCARs.
  • Developing and implementing Corrective Action plans for internal and external audit findings.
  • Leading the monitoring and execution of Supplier Quality Manual with suppliers. Tracking lessons learned, identifies, and incorporates updates to the Manual.
  • Working with IT to automate and use data to drive simplicity and effectiveness of Supplier Quality