Vendor Quality Management and Sourcing Lead

**_Job Overview: _**
- The Vendor Quality Management and Sourcing Lead plays a role in overseeing the strategic sourcing of goods and services as well as ensuring the quality of products supplied by vendors. This role is responsible for sourcing suppliers that align with company requirements while managing vendor performance, quality standards, and compliance. The individual will work closely with suppliers to ensure high-quality deliverables, cost optimization, and continuous improvement in vendor relationships. _

**_Key Responsibilities: _**

**_Vendor Quality Management: _**
- **_Supplier Performance Monitoring: _**
- _Assess and monitor the quality performance of current and potential Asia suppliers. _
- _Conduct regular audits of vendor facilities and processes to ensure they meet company quality standards. _
- _Ensure vendors comply with contract specifications, quality standards, and regulatory requirements. _
- **_Quality Improvement: _**
- _Develop and implement continuous improvement programs in collaboration with Asia suppliers. _
- _Work with vendors to resolve quality issues, and drive corrective and preventive actions (CAPA). _
- _Establish and maintain key performance indicators (KPIs) to track vendor quality and operational performance. _
- **_Root Cause Analysis: _**
- _Lead investigations into quality-related incidents or defects, working with vendors to identify root causes and implement corrective actions. _
- _Ensure that corrective actions are properly documented and communicated within the supply chain and to relevant stakeholders. _
- **_Quality Documentation: _**
- _Maintain accurate records of quality audits, inspections, and corrective actions taken. _
- _Ensure vendor certifications and compliance with quality standards (e.g., ISO, Six Sigma, etc.) are up-to-date. _

**_Strategic Sourcing: _**
- **_Sourcing Strategy Development: _**
- _Lead the development and execution of sourcing strategies to identify and onboard suppliers that meet business and quality needs. _
- _Collaborate with key stakeholders across departments to understand sourcing requirements and drive cost-effective sourcing solutions. _
- **_Vendor Selection and Evaluation: _**
- _Identify, evaluate, and qualify new suppliers to ensure alignment with quality, cost, and delivery requirements. _
- _Negotiate contracts, pricing, and terms with suppliers, ensuring favorable terms and conditions for the company. _
- **_Cost Optimization and Risk Management: _**
- _Identify cost-saving opportunities while ensuring that quality is not compromised. _
- _Conduct market research to monitor industry trends, vendor capabilities, and emerging technologies to continuously improve sourcing strategies. _
- _Assess risks associated with vendor relationships and develop risk mitigation strategies. _
- **_Collaboration: _**
- _Build and maintain strong working relationships with suppliers to ensure quality and delivery standards are consistently met. _
- _Work closely with procurement, production, and operations teams to integrate supplier requirements into business processes. _

**_Vendor Relationship Management: _**
- **_Communication and Coordination: _**
- _Act as the main point of contact for suppliers, addressing issues, providing support, and fostering strong, long-term partnerships. _
- _Communicate performance expectations clearly and ensure vendors adhere to them. _
- **_Negotiation and Contract Management: _**
- _Oversee the negotiation of contracts with suppliers, ensuring mutually beneficial agreements. _
- _Ensure that contracts and agreements are legally compliant and reflect the company’s standards for quality and performance. _

**_Qualifications: _**
- _Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Engineering, or related field. _
- _5 years of experience in vendor management, quality control, strategic sourcing, or procurement. _
- _Proven track record of managing vendor relationships, driving quality improvement initiatives, and achieving cost savings. _
- _Strong knowledge of quality control practices, supplier auditing, and performance metrics. _
- _Familiarity with industry standards, such as ISO 9001, Six Sigma, or lean manufacturing. _
- _Strong negotiation, communication, and interpersonal skills. _
- _Ability to analyze data, conduct market research, and utilize sourcing software (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Ariba). _
- _Certification in supply chain or procurement (e.g., CPSM, CIPS) is a plus. _

**_Key Competencies: _**
- **_Vendor Management: _**_Strong skills in establishing, maintaining, and improving vendor relationships. _
- **_Quality Focus: _**_Commitment to ensuring products meet quality standards through rigorous testing, inspections, and audits. _
- **_Analytical Thinking: _**_Ability to assess complex data and drive data-informed decisions for vendor performance and sourcing strategies. _
- **_Negotiation: _**_Skilled at negotiating favorable terms with suppliers to benefit the