Senior Director of Supplier Quality

Job Description
You don’t see it, but it’s there. Our employees work on the world’s most advanced electronics – from saving emissions in the City of Lights to powering the Mars Rover to protecting the F-35 fighter jet. At AMS, you’ll be among the brightest minds, working on the aerospace and defense industry’s most difficult problems. Drawing strength from our differences, we’re innovating for the future. And you can, too. We put our customers first – exemplified by our missions: “We Protect Those Who Protect Us®” and “We Innovate For Those Who Move The World.” Sound like a team you want to be a part of?

Come build your career with BAE Systems. Our flexible work environment provides you a chance to change the world without giving up your personal life. Nashua, NH is an hour northwest of Boston with all the cultural offerings and professional sports team of city life, and less than two hours from skiing and the New Hampshire Seacoast.

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Role Summary

BAE Systems is seeking a high-impact Senior Leader of Supplier Quality to drive the development and oversight of a high-performing, resilient supply chain. This role is critical to the enterprise in driving quality, affordability, and efficiency. Beyond traditional quality oversight, this leader will act as a strategic catalyst, integrating commercial-sector agility into the defense environment to diversify the supplier base, improve delivery predictability, and instill a rigorous culture of supplier accountability.

Strategic Mandates

• Commercial-to-Defense Integration: Leverage a deep network of commercial-sector vendors to break reliance on legacy defense suppliers. The candidate must bring "commercial-grade" sourcing knowledge to identify and onboard new, innovative suppliers.
• Supply Base Resilience: Architect and execute a strategy to build and control a resilient, multi-source supply chain, specifically addressing the challenges of low-cost regions and reducing single-source dependencies.
• Upstream Quality Influence: Partner with Engineering to vet suppliers earlier in the design phase. Transition the Supplier Quality group from a "checkpoint" to a strategic advisor that helps identify and qualify key new capable suppliers.
• Rigorous Accountability: Implement a "Commercial Mindset" regarding supplier performance, utilizing pass-through cost models and strict performance metrics to hold partners accountable for Quality, Delivery, and Cost (QDC).

Key Responsibilities

• Organizational Leadership: Lead a geographically diverse team of ~300 professionals. Develop a pipeline of leaders expert in quality science and "Zero Defect" tools to prevent problems from initial sourcing.
• Oversight & Model Design: Implement Supply Chain oversight models and strategic commodity plans. Integrate Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP/PPAP) and AS9145 standards within a long-cycle business environment.
• Operational Excellence: Drive robust Root Cause Corrective Actions (RCCA) and mistake-proofing initiatives. Leverage Quality 4.0, IoT, and AI to enable data-driven problem solving and value creation.
• Stakeholder Management: Act as a visible, collaborative leader capable of diffusing high-tension situations and building trust with internal functional organizations, regulatory agencies, and global partner communities.

Leadership Profile

• The ideal candidate is a "Strategic Operator", someone who can design a global supply chain strategy at the enterprise level but is willing to be hands-on in resolving tactical, day-to-day challenges. They should possess the technical credibility of an engineer, the financial acumen of a commercial executive, and the leadership agility to act as a driver, coach, and mentor.

Because this role involves a combination of collaborative/in-person and independent work, it will take the form of a hybrid work format, with time split between working onsite and remotely.



Required Education, Experience, & Skills

• Education and Experience: Bachelor's Degree and 12+ years of supply chain related experience.
• Hybrid Sector Expertise: Significant experience in regulated, demanding industries. Must possess a blend of Commercial and Defense/Aerospace experience to bridge the gap between strict compliance and commercial agility.
• Scale of Leadership: Proven track record of leading large-scale organizations (200+ people) and managing substantial budgets ($30M+).
• Technical Mastery: Demonstrated mastery of Quality Science, strategy, and standards. Proficiency in data analytics and the implementation of APQP/PPAP in a $1B+ manufacturing environment.
• Executive Presence: Ability to influence a wide range of audiences, from shop-floor technicians to C-suite executives and regulatory bodies.
• Compliance: Ability to secure a US DoD secret security clearance and maintain certifications with certifying bodies.
• Willingness to travel up to approximately 25% of the time

Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills

• Education: MS and/or MBA in Engineering or Technical field highly preferred.
• Certifications: ASQ Certified Quality Engineer, Auditor, or CQM/OE; LSS Black Belt.
• Tenure: 15+ years of experience in Supply Chain, Engineering, and Quality, with 5+ years leading a significant Supplier Quality organization.
• Specialized Knowledge: Experience with Quality 4.0 and AI-driven supply chain tools.
• Clearance: Active Secret or higher clearance.

Pay Information
Full-Time Salary Range: $200222 - $340378

Please note: This range is based on our market pay structures. However, individual salaries are determined by a variety of factors including, but not limited to: business considerations, local market conditions, and internal equity, as well as candidate qualifications, such as skills, education, and experience.

Employee Benefits: At BAE Systems, we support our employees in all aspects of their life, including their health and financial well-being. Regular employees scheduled to work 20+ hours per week are offered: health, dental, and vision insurance; health savings accounts; a 401(k) savings plan; disability coverage; and life and accident insurance. We also have an employee assistance program, a legal plan, and other perks including discounts on things like home, auto, and pet insurance. Our leave programs include paid time off, paid holidays, as well as other types of leave, including paid parental, military, bereavement, and any applicable federal and state sick leave. Employees may participate in the company recognition program to receive monetary or non-monetary recognition awards. Other incentives may be available based on position level and/or job specifics.


About BAE Systems, Inc.
BAE Systems, Inc. is a defense, aerospace, and security company headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, with more than 40,000 employees worldwide. We serve, supply, and protect those who protect us. As one of the most geographically diverse international defense companies, we deliver a full range of products and services spanning air, land, maritime, space, and cyber, including advanced electronics, intelligence solutions, and dedicated customer support.

Our culture is performance-driven and values-led, built on curiosity, creativity, and collaboration. Purpose isn't a tagline here. It's what drives us. We're developing breakthrough technologies that defend national security and make a lasting impact on our communities and our planet. When you join BAE Systems, you're not just building a career. You're contributing to a mission that truly matters.

This position will be posted for at least 5 calendar days. The posting will remain active until the position is filled, or a qualified pool of candidates is identified.