Director, Supplier Quality

Divergent is building the new industrial age. Every day, our teams design, manufacture, and assemble advanced systems for some of the world’s most demanding industries. Our integrated engineering and manufacturing platform transforms complex designs into production-ready solutions, helping customers move faster, build smarter, and deliver critical systems when they matter most. Divergent is a qualified Tier 1 supplier to global automotive OEMs and supports leading U.S. aerospace and defense companies.

Join us and help push the boundaries of what can be built.

Purpose

The Director of Supplier Quality leads the development and execution of Divergent ’s global supplier quality strategy. This role is responsible for ensuring that all externally sourced components, materials, and services meet stringent quality, reliability, and performance standards—spanning prototype through full-rate production.

You will build and scale supplier quality systems appropriate for a high-growth, advanced manufacturing environment, while driving accountability, performance, and continuous improvement across a diverse and evolving supply base.

This is a hands-on leadership role that blends strategic quality management, deep technical engagement with suppliers, cross-functional collaboration, and relentless pursuit of operational excellence. The ideal candidate will thrive in a highly dynamic, fast-growth environment, and bring both startup grit and world-class manufacturing discipline.

The Role

Key Responsibilities

Supplier Quality Strategy, Governance & Operating Model

Architect and deploy a scalable supplier quality operating system that supports:

Low-volume, high-complexity builds

Scalable, repeatable production

Additive manufacturing infrastructure

Define supplier segmentation strategy (strategic, critical, developmental, transactional) with differentiated quality engagement models.

Establish quality governance forums (e.g., Supplier Quality Council, cross-functional escalation reviews).

Develop multi-year roadmap for supplier quality maturity aligned with company growth (prototype → industrialization → scale).

Own end-to-end supplier quality policies, procedures, and standard work.

Drive digitization of supplier quality processes (QMS tools, real-time dashboards, supplier portals).

Supplier Selection, Qualification & Industrialization

Partner with sourcing during RFQ and supplier selection to evaluate:

Technical capability

Process maturity

Capacity and scalability

Quality system robustness

Lead supplier risk assessments (technical, operational, geopolitical, financial).

Define and execute supplier qualification frameworks , including:

Pre-award audits (process, quality system, manufacturing readiness)

Capability studies and run-at-rate validations

Drive industrialization readiness for new suppliers:

Manufacturing process validation

Tooling and fixture qualification

Special process validation (heat treatment, additive, composites, machining, etc.)

Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) Execution

Own supplier-side APQP execution across all programs and customers.

Ensure robust completion and approval of:

Design reviews and supplier feasibility commitments

Process Flow Diagrams aligned to actual manufacturing steps

PFMEA with high-risk failure modes mitigated prior to SOP

Control Plans tied to critical-to-quality (CTQ) characteristics

Drive Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) submissions at appropriate levels:

Validate dimensional results, capability indices (Cp/Cpk), and material certifications

Ensure alignment with engineering specifications and performance requirements

Establish launch readiness criteria and enforce strict entry/exit gates for suppliers.

Supplier Performance Management & Continuous Improvement

Define and operationalize supplier scorecards , including:

PPM (defects)

On-time delivery (OTD)

Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ)

Responsiveness and corrective action closure time

Lead monthly/quarterly business reviews (MBRs/QBRs) with strategic suppliers.

Drive structured supplier improvement programs , including:

Lean manufacturing implementation

Six Sigma projects

Yield and throughput optimization

Develop and deploy supplier development roadmaps for underperforming or strategic partners.

Own escalation process for chronic supplier issues, including executive-level interventions.

Nonconformance Management, Root Cause & Corrective Actions

Establish a closed-loop nonconformance management system across incoming, in-process, and field issues.

Lead critical supplier quality issue resolution using:

8D methodology

5 Whys, Ishikawa (Fishbone), fault tree analysis

Ensure true root cause identification (escape point + occurrence cause), not superficial fixes.

Validate effectiveness of corrective actions through data and audit.

Partner with internal teams to manage:

Supplier containment actions

Line disruptions and recovery plans

Field failures and warranty-related supplier issues

Incoming Quality & Risk-Based Inspection Strategy

Design and implement risk-based incoming inspection frameworks , including:

Dock-to-stock programs for high-performing suppliers

Increased inspection for new or underperforming suppliers

Define inspection plans based on:

Criticality of components (safety, structural, performance)

Supplier capability and historical performance

Optimize balance between inspection, cost, and risk .

Implement advanced inspection technologies where applicable (CMM, CT scanning, digital metrology).

Supplier Audits & Quality Systems Compliance

Develop and execute a global supplier audit program , including:

Quality system audits (ISO 9001, IATF 16949, AS9100 as applicable)

Process audits (layered process audits, special process validation)

Product audits

Ensure supplier compliance with:

Regulatory requirements

Customer-specific requirements

Internal Divergent standards

Track audit findings, ensure timely closure, and verify effectiveness.

Drive suppliers toward higher levels of quality system maturity.

New Product Introduction (NPI) & Program Support

Embed SQE resources within program teams to ensure early supplier engagement .

Identify and mitigate supplier risks during design and development phases.

Ensure suppliers are aligned to:

Engineering changes (ECR/ECO processes)

Prototype and pre-production builds

Support rapid iteration cycles typical of advanced engineering environments while maintaining quality discipline.

Drive seamless transition from prototype builds → pilot → production .

Cross-Functional Integration

Act as the primary interface between suppliers and internal teams for all quality-related matters.

Partner closely with:

Engineering (design quality, tolerances, materials)

Supply Chain (sourcing strategy, supplier selection)

Manufacturing (line readiness, issue resolution)

Program Management (timelines, milestones, risk tracking)

Influence design decisions to ensure manufacturability and supplier capability alignment.

Global Supplier Engagement & Field Presence

Maintain strong, in-person engagement with key suppliers through:

On-site audits

Launch support

Crisis management

Lead war room / rapid response efforts at supplier sites when needed.

Build long-term, trust-based partnerships with strategic suppliers while maintaining accountability.

Team Leadership & Capability Building

Build and lead a high-caliber Supplier Quality Engineering (SQE) organization .

Define roles, responsibilities, and performance expectations for the team.

Coach and develop team members in:

Technical quality tools

Supplier engagement and influence

Problem-solving methodologies

Establish a culture of ownership, ur