Supplier Quality Lead

As the largest pureplay adhesives company in the world, H.B. Fuller’s (NYSE: FUL) innovative, functional coatings, adhesives and sealants enhance the quality, safety and performance of products people use every day. Founded in 1887, with 2023 revenue of $3.5 billion, our mission to Connect What Matters is brought to life by more than 7,000 global team members who collaborate with customers across more than 30 market segments in over 140 countries to develop highly specified solutions that enable customers to bring world-changing innovations to their end markets.

Supplier Quality Lead

Remote (Candidates must be based in Europe, North or South America, or China)

Position Overview

This role will lead the development, implementation and continuous improvement of H.B. Fuller’s global supplier quality program. The successful candidate will drive supplier performance, ensure compliance with international quality certification standards, and play a critical role in supporting both supplier and customer audits. The position requires cross-functional collaboration to build strong partnerships across the supply chain, enhance supplier relationships, and ensure alignment with business objectives and industry best practices.

Primary Responsibilities

Supplier Quality Program Development (50%)

• Subject Matter Expertise: Serve as the subject matter expert on international quality certification standards (e.g. ISO 9001, IATF 16949, FSSC/ISO 22000, ISO 14001, AS 9100) and ensure compliance across sourcing and supply chain operations. Serve as an expert advisor on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) initiatives.
• Program Roadmap and Evolution: Maintain and continuously improve global standard procedures to align with customer expectations and certification requirements.
• Supplier Performance Evaluation and Scorecard Management: Conduct quarterly assessments of supplier KPIs and risk factors. Manage supplier performance management program, facilitating cross-functional scorecards for strategic suppliers annually.
• Surveys & Compliance: Administer supplier surveys covering onboarding, self-assessments, certifications, sustainability, food safety, and other compliance related areas. Develop roadmap to improve supplier due diligence and compliance.
• Process Improvement: Lead process improvement initiatives to digitalize and standardize the supplier quality program for efficiency and consistency.
• Software Implementation & Support: Oversee the administration, training and support for software tools that enhance supplier quality processes.
• Training & Awareness: Establish and deliver training programs to build awareness of the global quality process, roles, and responsibilities across functions.

Supplier Audits, Customer Audits, Certification Audits (50%)

• Supplier Audits: Participate in on-site supplier audits and virtual desk audits to ensure compliance with operational and quality standards.
• Customer Audits: Represent Global Strategic Sourcing during customer audits, ensuring alignment with external expectations.
• Certification Audits: Lead sourcing’s involvement in external certification audits, addressing gaps and ensuring compliance.
• Customer Questionnaires: Respond to customer surveys and requests for information on supplier management promptly and accurately.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business, engineering or a related technical field.
• At least 7 years of experience in supplier quality, operational quality, strategic sourcing, or supplier sustainability.  Experience working for a company that has a robust vendor quality program.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Process Improvement Focus: strong process orientation with a proven ability to drive operational enhancements and efficiencies.
• Excellent critical thinking skills to address complex challenges and provide actionable solutions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Hands-on experience conducting or participating in operational quality or ESG-related audits.
• Proven ability to design, document, and implement scalable processes in complex global organizations.
• Training or certification in standards such as ISO 9001, IATF 16949, AS 9100.
• Quality specific training or certification such as CSQP or Six Sigma.
• Experience in managing supplier relationships and performance.
• Proficiency in multiple languages, with Mandarin preferred.

H.B. Fuller is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and proud to have created a collaborative culture where employees around the world are seen, heard, and respected. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability, or marital status or status as a protected veteran, or any other legally protected classification.

H.B. Fuller does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or staffing firms. To conduct business with H.B. Fuller, a written service agreement must be executed by Human Resources prior to submitting any information relating to a potential candidate. Without a signed service agreement, H.B. Fuller shall not be obligated for payment of any fee or compensation.