Supplier Quality and Compliance Manager

Since 1906, New Balance has empowered people through sport and craftsmanship to create positive change in communities around the world. We innovate fearlessly, guided by our core values and driven by the belief that conventions were meant to be challenged. We foster a culture in which every associate feels welcomed and respected, where leaders and creatives are inspired to shape the world of tomorrow by taking bold action today.

As a Supplier Quality & Compliance Manager, you will be responsible for ensuring that all suppliers deliver goods and services that meet New Balance’s quality standards and exceed customer expectations. You will manage supplier performance, drive continuous improvements in material quality, and reduce variation and waste while ensuring regulatory and compliance requirements are met. This role requires strong leadership, problem-solving skills, and technical expertise in quality and compliance. You will work closely with global supplier teams, internal stakeholders, and external partners to enhance supplier quality performance, oversee ISO 9001 audits, and drive sustainability initiatives. Your focus will be on proactive quality management, ensuring a robust supply chain that aligns with New Balance’s business goals.

Major Accountabilities:

• Supplier Quality Management & Compliance: Develop and implement supplier quality control processes to ensure all materials and products meet New Balance Quality Standards. Utilize supplier scorecard systems to monitor and manage supplier quality performance, ensuring data-driven decision-making. Oversee supplier audit programs and conduct capability assessments, including overseas travel to supplier facilities. Work cross-functionally with Purchasing, Quality, Design, and Operations teams to address supplier failures and improvement opportunities. Facilitate chemical and physical testing of all new materials to ensure they meet safety, performance, and regulatory compliance standards. Ensure all suppliers provide Certificates of Conformance and meet material specification requirements. Lead and standardize supplier performance reviews, ensuring regular feedback and corrective action implementation.
• ISO 9001 & Regulatory Compliance: Plan, coordinate, and oversee ISO 9001 audits, ensuring all departments meet compliance and certification requirements. Work closely with external auditors to maintain ISO certifications and implement improvements based on audit findings. Ensure all supplier processes align with ISO 9001 quality management system requirements, driving best practices and continuous improvement. Act as the primary liaison between suppliers and New Balance to resolve quality issues, ensuring compliance with industry regulations.
• Supplier Development & Continuous Improvement: Deploy and lead 8D Root Cause Analysis (RCA) for major supplier quality concerns, ensuring long-term resolution and corrective actions. Drive continuous improvement initiatives, implementing Lean and Six Sigma methodologies to optimize supplier performance. Support new material sourcing, supplier selection, and ongoing material supply requirements in collaboration with the procurement team. Actively contribute to sustainability initiatives as part of the global task force, ensuring suppliers align with environmental and ethical sourcing standards. Facilitate and drive regular supplier review meetings, ensuring clear communication and accountability for quality improvement actions.
• Data Management & Reporting: Manage supplier quality data reporting, providing insights to internal teams and leadership to support decision-making. Develop standardized supplier review processes to track performance, identify trends, and implement necessary improvements. Ensure all inbound quality data is accurately recorded, analyzed, and acted upon to maintain consistent material standards.

New Balance is committed to equality of opportunity for all current and prospective associates regardless of age, disability, race, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, marriage and civil partnership and gender reassignment. We are an equal opportunity employer and support a culture of diversity and inclusion. If you have not already done so, please let us know if you require any support so we can make the right adjustments and considerations should they be required.