Regional Supplier Quality Assurance Manager

About AESC US LLC

AESC is a global leader in the development and manufacturing of high-performance batteries for zero-emission electric vehicles and energy storage systems. Founded in Japan in 2007 and headquartered in Yokohama, AESC has been building manufacturing capabilities around the world in the U.S., U.K., Europe, Japan, and China to serve key markets and leading customers locally for over 14 years. Today, AESC has become the partner of choice for the world’s leading OEMs and energy storage providers in North America, Europe, and Asia. Its advanced technology powers over one million electric vehicles and provides more than 15GWh of installed capacity for battery energy systems in over 60 countries.

AESC is expanding its footprint in the United States with gigafactories in Kentucky, South Carolina, and Tennessee to meet the growing demand for EV and BESS batteries and strengthen its presence in the North American market. AESC's Tennessee gigafactory in Smyrna, which has been operational since 2012, produces batteries for Nissan. The Kentucky gigafactory in Bowling Green will supply Mercedes-Benz with high-performance battery cell modules. The South Carolina gigafactory in Florence will supply technology-leading battery cells for new electric models produced in BMW Group's Spartanburg plant. AESC is committed to our local communities where it is making its investments, creating jobs, and supporting local charities.

AESC Mission

Our mission is to solve the challenges for a sustainable future. Together, we can make a meaningful impact.

About the Role

• Helps to standardize and grow both the regional and global supplier quality organizations
• Coordinates the evaluation and selection of suppliers
• Reviews and approves PPAPs from suppliers in conjunction with a cross-functional, inter-departmental team
• Prepares and submits supplier scorecards while coordinating thorough action plans for poor performers
• Leads corrective actions (CA) as it relates to supplier 8Ds and Parts Inspection Requests (PIRs)
• Aids in the development and standardization of a global Supplier Quality Manual
• Prepares and presents supplier quality KPIs to regional and global upper management
• Shares supplier quality status updates with OEM for alignment
• Oversees and leads a regional team of Supplier Quality Engineers (SQEs)
• Acts as a work and thought leader—providing valuable insight and leadership to the Quality Assurance department and the company as a whole.
• Key contributor to building brand value and achieving enduring profitable growth

What You Will Do

• Leads Process/Product/QMS audits, capacity analysis, and capability assessments on suppliers
• Works with suppliers to continuously improve performance, controls, and compliance as it relates to IATF 16949 and VDA 6.3. Recommends technical advice and guidance to suppliers to improve supplier quality
• Addresses supplier quality concerns and ensures countermeasures are made in a timely manner
• Responsible for development and achievement of plant goals and objectives as they pertain to supplier quality, cost, delivery, and safety; ensures program targets are met at each trial or development stage
• Develops and manages budgets while ensuring adherence to the approved budgets once programs are contracted; establishes and monitors performance to cost budgets within the Supplier Quality department.
• Maintains a positive employee relations environment
• Ensures continuous cooperation with operations departments regarding investigations and resolutions of chronic or severe supplier quality problems and implements actions to eliminate further occurrences
• Identifies potential improvements and implements new department processes, systems, and tracking processes to achieve departmental KPIs
• Provides direction for employees centered on training, objectives, and development of standards within the job function
• Has engineering and other professional subordinates
• Leads employees to establish team and individual annual goals that relate to corporate KPIs and guides them in tracking these goals for each phase of a project
• Interviews and selects unit employees
• Supervises and provides leadership, coaching, guidance, training, career counseling, and staff development to employees
• Manages employees by establishing annual performance goals, allocating resources, assessing annual performance, and determining individual merit or promotional increases; recommends termination when appropriate; monitors time and attendance of subordinates
• As necessary, performs other related duties of which the above are representative

What You Need

• Maintains a good working report with Purchasing and Production departments to prepare suppliers for upcoming production needs
• Experience with APQP Process and PPAPs
• Knowledge of IATF 16949 and VDA 6.3 standards
• Automotive OEM or Tier 1 Supplier experience a plus
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; interpersonal skills; report writing skills, presentation abilities, and motivational skills
• IATF16949, VDA 6.3 Auditor, or ASQ Certified Quality Auditor preferred
• Six or more years of comprehensive professional experience in a similar function
• Previous supervisory experience—providing leadership, coaching, guidance, training, and contributing to staff development is required. Supervisor of subordinates of differentiated roles and diverse objectives preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from an accredited institution
• Advanced working knowledge of Microsoft Office and other PC applications to produce non-standard, creative products

Travel

Substantial overnight domestic/international travel during project phase of development

What We Offer

Welcome to AESC, where you'll have the opportunity to tackle the world's most fascinating challenges alongside exceptionally talented individuals who are driven to make a difference. We strive to ensure that our employees are well taken care of, enabling them to focus on their work and contribute to our collective mission.

We offer:

• Comprehensive compensation packages including a competitive salary and a rewarding bonus program.
• An inclusive and diverse work environment that fosters and encourages professional and personal development.
• Highly automated, clean, safe, and temperature-controlled production environment
• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
• HSA and Flexible Spending Accounts
• 401K with company match
• Life Insurance (Company paid and additional voluntary life available)
• Paid Vacation and 14 Paid Holidays
• Short term and long-term disability coverage (Company Paid)
• Tuition reimbursement

Application Process

Even if you don't meet every requirement, we encourage you to apply. Your application allows us to learn more about you and find potential fits within our team. We strive to respond to all applicants promptly, though times may vary with submission volume. If you don't receive an immediate response, it doesn't reflect on your candidacy; we'll keep your application for future opportunities. Thank you for your patience and enthusiasm as we improve our application process.

Equal Employment Opportunity

At AESC, we are committed to providing Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) to all individuals. We participate in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S Join us in our passion to design, manufacture, and sell high-performance products, contributing to a sustainable and zero-carbon emission future.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable otherwise qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

• Ability to sit for extended periods of time.
• Ability to read, write, speak, hear; stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach and lift with hands and arms frequently throughout the day.

Work Environment

Candidate must perform the essential duties and responsibilities with or without reasonable accommodation efficiently and accurately, and without causing significant safety threat to self or others. The statements made herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this job classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive and inclusive list of all responsibilities, duties, and/or skills required of personnel so classified.

Hiring is contingent upon successful completion of drug screen and background check. AESC US LLC is a drug-free workplace.