Director of Supplier Quality - Operations & Compliance

The Director, Supplier Quality – Operations & Compliance reports to the AVP, Supplier Quality and is responsible for developing, maintaining, and optimizing the Supplier Quality Assurance program across Agilent businesses and sites. This role is focused on improving product quality, process quality, supplier performance, and delivery throughout the supply base.

The Director will have direct responsibility for supplier quality processes, standard operating procedures (SOPs), tools, dashboards, key performance indicators (KPIs), and the Approved Supplier List (ASL).

A key priority for this role is developing and implementing a Supplier Quality Operations strategy that centralizes and standardizes processes while ensuring consistent compliance of all processes used in the Supplier Quality organization, including Agilent sites, SQ business leads, SQ category leads, and suppliers.

The successful candidate will be a proactive, self-directed leader who can build strong partnerships across Agilent and the external supply base while driving operational excellence and continuous improvement.

• →Own, improve, and standardize supplier quality processes, including supplier Audits, Supplier Corrective Action Requests (SCARs), Supplier Change Management, Supplier Review Boards (SRBs), and Approved Supplier List (ASL) processes.
• →Partner closely with Procurement, business and site leadership, Category teams, and other cross-functional stakeholders to ensure effective and consistent execution of supplier quality processes.
• →Develop, improve, and continuously monitor a standardized KPI and metrics program, including executive-level dashboards that provide meaningful, actionable visibility into supplier performance and overall supply chain health.
• →Present and support Supplier Quality metrics and performance discussions during Quality Management Review (QMR) and Supplier Review Board (SRB) meetings.
• →Manage the quality aspects of the Approved Supplier List in partnership with Procurement.
• →Identify opportunities for continuous improvement across the Supplier Quality function, establish project ownership, monitor progress, and ensure measurable results at project completion.
• →Develop and manage the Supplier Quality outsourcing strategy, including evaluating outsourcing opportunities for audits, root cause analysis (RCA), and other Supplier Quality activities.
• →Strengthen the culture of quality and compliance by identifying and implementing continuous improvement opportunities across Supplier Quality processes.
• →Partner with Procurement to establish a consistent "One-Voice Agilent" approach when communicating with the supply base.
• →Evaluate and implement a supplier portal in collaboration with cross-functional stakeholders.
• →Engage key supplier management teams through structured business reviews to monitor performance metrics, identify trends, address risks, and implement programs that deliver measurable performance improvements.
• →Lead, manage, coach, and develop a high-performing and diverse team of Supplier Quality professionals.
• →Own and manage the budget for the Supplier Quality Operations function.
• →Strengthen supplier and organizational quality culture through coaching, technical engagement, and collaborative problem-solving.

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, or a related discipline preferred.

• 5+ years of direct or related experience in Supplier Quality.
• 3+ years of experience leading and managing teams.
• Experience owning or managing a Quality Management System (QMS), particularly Supplier Quality processes associated with ISO 9001 and/or ISO 13485.
• Significant experience with sourcing, supplier management, and quality execution within highly regulated or demanding industries such as medical devices, automotive, aerospace and defense, or similarly complex markets.
• Demonstrated experience working effectively within a matrixed organization.

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively across organizational levels, functions, cultures, and external organizations.
• Proactive, self-directed leadership style with the ability to identify challenges, develop solutions, and drive implementation.
• Strong commitment to quality, compliance, operational efficiency, and continuous improvement.
• Demonstrated ability to build effective systems and establish trust with suppliers, internal customers, and regulatory stakeholders.
• Proven ability to motivate, coach, and develop team members while fostering collaboration and teamwork.
• Ability to navigate and de-escalate challenging or high-pressure situations calmly and effectively.
• Strong cross-functional leadership and stakeholder-management capabilities.
• Ability to translate supplier and quality data into actionable insights for senior leadership.
• Ability to travel occasionally.