Supplier Quality Manager
Job Description
Crane Aerospace and Electronics has an exciting opportunity for a Supplier Quality Manager at our Burbank, CA location.
About Crane:
Crane Aerospace & Electronics supplies critical systems and components to the aerospace and defense markets. You’ll find Crane Aerospace & Electronics in some of the toughest environments: from engines to landing gear; from satellites to medical implants and from missiles to unmanned aerial systems (UAS).
Every 1.2 seconds, product built at our Crane Aerospace & Electronics Burbank facility is stopping aircraft – delivering passengers and military personnel safely to their destination. Home to our Landing & Cabin Systems team, Crane A&E’s brake control systems and premium cabin actuation solutions are flying on tens of thousands of aircraft throughout the world. You’ll join a business with a long track record of engineering excellence, set in the wonderful town of Burbank filled with great community atmosphere, schools, weather and no shortage of entertainment. Start the next chapter of your career with Crane Aerospace & Electronics!
Job Summary:
The Supplier Quality Manager is responsible for leading and executing the organization’s supplier quality strategy to ensure that all purchased materials, components, and services conform to internal, customer, and regulatory requirements. This role manages the overall quality and compliance performance of the Burbank supply base, drives continuous improvement across suppliers, and leads a team of Supplier Quality Engineers (SQEs) in executing Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP), risk mitigation, and root-cause-based quality improvements. The individual in this role serves as the primary interface between the company and its suppliers for all quality related matters.
Essential Functions:
Supplier Quality Leadership: Provide strategic oversight of supplier quality operations. Lead, mentor, and develop Supplier Quality Engineers, ensuring effective performance, technical competency, and consistent execution of quality policies. Support new product design and introduction
Non-Conformance Management: Oversee the management of supplier nonconformance, including NCRs and SRRs. Ensure suppliers proactively report nonconforming material prior to shipment, verify completeness of submissions, authorize MRB dispositions where appropriate, and ensure timely closure and documentation. Responsible for investigation of and formal response to all customer complaints (SCARS)
Corrective Action & Root Cause Implementation: Ensure robust root cause analysis and sustainable corrective actions addressing systemic issues. Establish standards for thorough investigation, enforce corrective action timeliness, and verify effectiveness to prevent recurrence. Participate in internal and external quality audits
Establish a zero-defect culture by leading the deployment and continuous improvement of AS9145 and Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP)
Inspection Oversight: Lead the alignment between Supplier Quality and Receiving Inspection. Ensure inspection criteria are current and receiving teams validate supplier dispositions appropriately. Support improvements in inspection processes and incoming quality verification.
Process Control & Continuous Improvement: Partner with operations, engineering, and supply chain teams to implement preventive process controls, optimize control plans, align with PFMEAs and process flows, and champion a prevention focused quality culture.
Supplier Risk Management: Lead annual and ongoing supplier risk assessments, identifying risks related to performance, capability, capacity, and compliance. Ensure mitigation plans are developed, implemented, and monitored.
Supplier Development & Performance Management: Drive supplier performance through KPIs, scorecards, audits, development plans, and joint improvement initiatives. Facilitate strategic supplier reviews and ensure alignment and training to APQP/PPAP (AS9145) standards.
Training & Technical Development: Ensure the SQE team maintains strong proficiency in AS9100, AS9145, root cause analysis methods, SPC, risk management tools, and QMS utilization (Oracle, etc.). Provide structured training programs, mentor engineers, and lead technical workshops to elevate team capability.
Minimum Qualifications:
5+ years of relevant experience in supplier quality, manufacturing quality, or related roles in aerospace, defense, space electronics, or other high reliability industries, 3+ years of leadership or people management experience.
Strong knowledge of Quality Management Systems and process control methodologies.
Understanding of manufacturing best practices, logistics/inventory processes, project management, safety management, and APQP/PPAP (AS9145).
Experience with APQP tools – Process flow Diagram, FMEA, Control Plan, MSA, Process Capability, SPC
Strong analytical, problem solving, and investigative skills.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Education/Certification: Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering (ME-preferred, EE, MSc., Chem) from an accredited institution
Eligibility Requirement: Position may require access to Controlled Data (ITAR). Only U.S. Persons (citizen, permanent resident, protected individual) will be considered.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Strongly preferred experience with aerospace manufacturing methods including precision GD&T Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing for Machining and Grinding
- Preferred experience with NADCAP special processes requirements
- Preferred AS9100 Auditor experience, ASQ CQM, CQE
- Preferred experience with Lean and Six Sigma methodologies.
- Demonstrated success leading supplier improvement or development initiatives
Top Benefits:
As a team member at Crane Aerospace and Electronics, you’ll enjoy:
Benefits: Health care, dental, vision, life and disability insurance starting the first day of the month
Time Off: 15 days of paid time off that start accruing your first day at Crane and 12 paid holidays per year.
401k Retirement Plan: 401k plan with company match
Education Reimbursement: eligible after 6 months of employment
You can see a list of our benefits at https://www.craneae.com/company/careers or visit our website at www.CraneAE.com for more information on our company and great opportunities.
We are committed to operational excellence and world class processes. We employ Lean manufacturing techniques to optimize manufacturing efficiency and accuracy on all product lines. Our products are known for their technical strength, proven reliability and overall value.
In our efforts to maintain a safe and drug-free workplace, Crane Aerospace & Electronics requires that candidates complete a satisfactory background check. FAA sensitive positions require employees to participate in a random drug test pool.
Salary range: $142,555.60 - $175,892.80. Several factors contribute to actual salary, including experience in a similar role or performing comparable job responsibilities, skills, training, and other qualifications. Some roles may be eligible for participation in performance-based bonus programs.
This description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work being performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.
Crane Company. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, general identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.