Why Work at SMA America
At SMA America, we believe in Energy that Changes. Since 1981, we’ve been developing innovative solar technology that simplifies, secures, and enhances the performance of photovoltaic systems — all while pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in clean energy.
But we’re not just transforming power — we’re empowering people.
We’ve built a culture where bold ideas are welcomed, collaboration is second nature, and your career growth truly matters. With our Rocklin, CA headquarters as the hub, we offer a hybrid work model, competitive benefits, and a team-driven environment where your impact is seen and felt.
Whether you’re a sales expert, service pro, or engineering innovator, if you’re ready to join a purpose-driven team committed to shaping the future of energy — we’d love to meet you.
PURPOSE OF THE POSITION
The Supplier Quality Manager is responsible for leading and managing supplier development and quality assurance activities across a defined supply base. This role ensures suppliers meet company standards for quality, reliability, and performance through strategic alignment, qualification processes, and continuous improvement initiatives.
PRIMARY DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES
Lead supplier qualification, integration, and ongoing management processes.
Coordinate and oversee First Article Inspection (FAI) activities with cross-functional teams.
Partner with commodity teams to align procurement strategies with quality objectives.
Conduct supplier gap assessments and manage corrective actions; validate improvement effectiveness.
Perform supplier audits for vendor selection, onboarding, and continuous improvement.
Plan, execute, and follow up on supplier qualification, process, and product audits.
Manage APQP (Advanced Product Quality Planning) activities with suppliers.
Support sourcing decisions and supplier portfolio management.
Prepare and deliver periodic and ad hoc reports on supplier performance and quality issues.
Lead process improvement initiatives using quality tools and statistical methods to improve critical-to-quality (CTQ) parameters.
Monitor and track supplier performance; recommend process and product improvements based on CTQ metrics.
Serve as escalation point for high-severity supplier quality issues.
Support cross-functional teams and task forces, including supplier claims management.
Evaluate quality deviations, monitor corrective/preventive actions, and issue deviation approvals as required.
Contribute to defining supplier-related requirements (contracts, specifications, supply chain, after-sales).
Perform additional duties as assigned.
REQUIRED TRAINING
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field (Master’s preferred).
Equivalent education and professional experience may be considered.
Minimum 10 years’ experience in supplier quality or supplier development in a manufacturing environment.
Proven experience in international supplier management and auditing.
trong knowledge of APQP, PPAP, 8D, FMEA, and quality standards (ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 18001, etc.).
Proficiency in statistical tools and methods (SPC, MSA, Six Sigma).
ERP experience (SAP S4HANA preferred).
Familiarity with business applications (Salesforce, JIRA, Jaggaer, MS Office).
Exceptional communication, leadership, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
Strong organizational skills with ability to report, present, and document in a customer-oriented manner.
Entrepreneurial mindset; proactive and solution-oriented.
Certification in quality management (e.g., CQE, CQA, Six Sigma) strongly preferred.
Willingness to travel domestically and internationally as required.
WE OFFER
- Salary Range: $104,000-$134,000 annually, depending on experience and qualifications
- Comprehensive benefits including health, dental and vision coverage (including $0 premium options)
- 401(k) plan with company match
- Dedicated Hybrid Schedule: In-Office Tuesday and Thursdays; remote on Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays
- Opportunities for professional development and training
- Inclusive, collaborative, and innovative work environment
Our EEO Policy
We are an equal opportunity employer and we make our employment decisions on the basis of merit and without regard to one’s race, color, creed, sex (includes gender, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), gender identity, religion, marital status, age (over 40), national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability (includes HIV/Aids), medical condition (cancer, genetic characteristics), veteran’s status, sexual orientation, or any other consideration made unlawful by law.
In accordance with applicable law protecting qualified individuals with known disabilities, SMA will attempt to reasonably accommodate qualified applicants with known disabilities, unless doing so would create an undue hardship on SMA. Any qualified applicant with a disability who believes he or she requires an accommodation in order to perform the essential functions of the job for which he or she is applying should identify the accommodation(s) needed in the application.
Our Privacy Policy
During your job application or recruitment process with us: (a) SMA may collect your personal information directly from you, such as when you submit your application and resume on our online portal or when you have job interviews with us. We may also obtain your personal information from third parties, including but not limited to your former employers, background or employment check service providers or third-party recruiters; and, (b) SMA may use or process applicants' personal information for relevant purposes including but not limited to general communications with you, identity verification, background or employment checks, determination of eligibility, and making hiring decisions. For successful job applicants who become SMA’s staff, we may retain and integrate your personal information collected during the recruitment process into your records at SMA. For unsuccessful job applicants, [SMA may retain your application for internal records or for future recruitment purposes].
If you are a California resident, you have specific rights regarding your personal information under the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018, as amended including by the California Privacy Rights Act of 2020, and its implementing regulations (the “CCPA”). This Company Personnel and Covered Individuals Privacy Notice for California Residents issued by SMA is applicable to you and explains your CCPA rights and our collection, use or disclosure of your personal information.
If you have any question regarding our privacy policy, please contact us at [email protected]
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