Senior Manager - Global Supplier Quality

About Convatec

Convatec is a global medical products and technologies company, focused on solutions for the management of chronic conditions, with leading positions in Advanced Wound Care, Ostomy Care, Continence Care, and Infusion Care. With more than 10,000 colleagues, we provide our products and services in around 90 countries, united by a promise to be forever caring. Our solutions provide a range of benefits, from infection prevention and protection of at-risk skin to improved patient outcomes and reduced care costs. Convatec’s revenues in 2024 were over $2 billion. The company is a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index (LSE:CTEC). To learn more please visit www.convatecgroup.com

About the role

The Senior Supplier Quality Manager will support the management a group of globally based, experienced professionals who should exercise independence in their roles. The Senior Supplier Quality Manager leads complex and strategic initiatives in collaboration with other Convatec Senior leaders that develop and enhance Convatec’s Global Supplier Quality program.

Global Supplier Quality teams

The Global Supplier Quality teams are accountable for developing, deploying and executing global policies and procedures that ensure Convatec business units are harmonized and compliant to the appropriate regulations and standards. Furthermore, the team is responsible for ensuring all supplier onboarding, supplier audits, outsourcing activities and supplier performance management is done so in compliance with Convatec’s established ways of working and regulatory standards.

Your key duties and responsibilities

Enterprise-wide Strategic Collaboration

• Lead the development and deployment of Global Supplier Quality strategic initiatives that align with business and compliance needs across the enterprise.
• Partner with senior leaders in other departments to align on strategies and policies across their respective areas, ensuring alignment with Global Supplier Quality, which include but not limited to BU Quality leads, Supply Chain, NPD, Operations, Packaging and Regulatory.
• Work with Procurement in their strategic operations to identify and certify alternative suppliers, mitigating risks of supply disruption and optimizing location/cost benefits for Convatec.
• Guide supplier selection, evaluation, and approval processes as needed, ensuring alignment with technical standards and regulatory requirements.
• Ensure supplier audit schedules are established and adhered to.

Supplier Relationship and Performance Management

• Lead the establishment and management of strategic supplier relationships to align with Convatec’s quality, performance, and business objectives.
• Identify and mitigate risks related to supplier quality, compliance, and business continuity.
• Negotiate and enforce supplier quality agreements, ensuring compliance with legal, regulatory and contractual requirements.
• Define and track KPIs through performance management reviews to drive supplier performance and ensure the timely resolution of quality and service issues.
• Ensure Supplier Performance metrics are central in Procurement Supplier performance processes and reviews.

Communication and Internal Stakeholder Management

• Communicate strategic initiatives clearly to the wider quality organization and senior leaders, demonstrating confidence and expertise.
• Take ownership of results, setting clear expectations for stakeholders and peers.
• Build strong relationships with senior stakeholders, ensuring alignment with customer needs and effective communication of key initiatives.
• Ensure effective communication flows with supporting departments (e.g., Procurement, Business Units) regarding performance, organizational changes, and strategic priorities.
• Ensure proper resourcing, organisational design within the supplier quality function to aid alignment for all enterprise-wide initiatives.

Continuous Improvement and Quality Strategic Initiatives

• Lead strategic initiatives for continuous improvement in supplier quality management processes, including supplier development programs, quality improvement workshops, and root cause analysis.
• Drive initiatives to enhance the quality management system, including defining and aligning quality goals, standards, best practices across the supply chain, supplier training, audits, and process optimization.
• Champion Lean Six Sigma or other process improvement methodologies to reduce defects, streamline operations, and improve the supplier\’s ability to meet quality expectations. Presents out adherence to project timelines in a proactive manner to senior stakeholders.

Team Performance Management

• Support the management of a team of 10 Global Quality Professionals, including Supplier Quality Engineers, and other specialists.
• Set clear KPIs, goals, and performance objectives for the team.
• Implement risk and succession planning within the team to ensure ongoing development.
• Conduct performance reviews, provide coaching, and promote continuous professional growth.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and high performance within the team.

Issue Resolution & Corrective Action Management

• Oversee the resolution of quality issues, ensuring timely and effective implementation of corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
• Ensure that teams collaborate with suppliers to address root causes and prevent recurrence of quality failures.
• Support internal teams in resolving quality-related challenges with minimal disruption to production.

Change Management CCR

• Ensure appropriate resource is assigned to lead or support associated changes linked to global supplier quality owned processes.
• Ensure appropriate systems and processes are in place to effectively manage and communicate such processes.

Skills & Experience

• Minimum 8 years of experience in the medical device industry.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in a quality managerial position.
• ISO 13485 certified lead auditor.
• Experienced in TrackWise and Approved Supplier management.
• Considered Subject Matter Expert in internal and supplier related NC/CAPAs.
• Considered Subject Matter Expert in supplier onboarding, performance management, auditing and quality agreement establishment.
• Advanced knowledge and implementation of effective quality control for manufacturing and supply chain operations, particularly in supplier evaluation, selection, auditing, and supplier management programs.
• Ability to negotiate and partner with internal and external customers to enhance operational effectiveness.
• Advanced knowledge of GxP and relative standards for manufacturing environments.
• Ability to lead a diverse team in a complex, changing environment, to deliver value-added results to the business.
• Ability to establish and develop global based team of individuals to meet the requirements of the business needs relating to supplier quality.
• Demonstrated Statistical skills and ability to establish and respond to supplier related metrics.
• Advanced knowledge of quality control principles and their relationship to relevant regulatory requirements.
• Knowledge of ISO 14971 Risk Management.
• Strong knowledge of regulatory requirements that affect the medical device manufacturing business and put policies and systems in place to achieve conformance: QSR Part 820, ISO 13485, MDD 93/42, ISO 9001, GMP Parts 201 and 211, EU MDR.
• Coaching and development skills.

Qualifications/Education

• Minimum of B.S., or equivalent, in a scientific/technical discipline is required. Advanced degree (M.S., M.B.A, Ph.D. or equivalent) preferred.
• ISO 13485 certified lead auditor – must have.
• Certifications in Quality Management Systems eg ISO 13485.
• Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) or Certified Quality Auditor, Project Management training and/or certifications are desirable.

Travel Requirements

• The position may involve travel up to 25%, mostly within Europe but overseas travel is expected. Most trips will include overnight travel.

Working Conditions

• This role is based in the UK with a remote working structure. Presence at the local office may be required based on in-country legal requirements and for specific meetings, projects, and/or events.

Special Factors

• Due to this being a global position, working across different time zones is expected.

Ready to join us?

At Convatec, we’re pioneering trusted medical solutions to improve the lives we touch. If you’re ready to make a real impact, apply today and help us bring our Forever Caring promise to life.

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Equal opportunities

Convatec provides equal employment opportunities for all current employees and applicants for employment. This policy means that no one will be discriminated against because of race, religion, creed, color, national origin, nationality, citizenship, ancestry, sex, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity, military or veteran status, genetic predisposing characteristics or any other basis prohibited by law.

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