Supplier & Industry Quality Leader

Location: Irvine, United States of America

Thales people architect solutions that enable two-thirds of planes to take off and land safely. We create in-flight entertainment systems that engross 50 million fliers every year and we develop the avionics that control the world’s largest commercial aircrafts. Our simulators train the next generation of pilots for fighter jets, transporters and search and rescue helicopters. And, together, each and every member of our aerospace team makes a difference.

Supplier & Industry Quality Leader

Irvine, CA (Onsite)

Position Summary

Thales is looking for a Supplier & Industry Quality Leader to manage supplier quality activities, from supplier selection to performance management, in close coordination with Procurement, Operations, Supply-Chain and Program Management teams. The role also helps improving the maturity of the industrial operations as needed, drawing from practical QA team involvement on projects and feedback from various assessments.

In this position, you will also act as a Quality authority, escalate alerts, while working with the broad organization to address supplier quality issues and drive continuous improvement mindset.

Key Areas of Responsibility

• Providing methodology support re. Quality methodology (e.g. root cause analysis) and Quality Management System (Chorus); Supporting of any Quality & Customer Satisfaction transversal initiatives (e.g. internal audits, assessments, internal/external survey follow-up, safety investigations).
• Supplier Quality: Supplier selection: Validate the quality compliance (assessments/audits, requirement compliance matrix, etc.) to reach supplier approval & qualification; Attend procurement milestone reviews and ensure quality requirements are properly identified/flown down. Supplier quality performance: Contribute to Supplier Performance Management with focus on on-conformity delivery (OCD) on short term perspective (data analysis, root cause analysis, corrective actions plan validation, quality crisis management, etc.).
• Supplier quality improvement: Support the supplier quality improvement through transverse quality methodologies in medium/long term perspective (coaching / training, APQP / PPAP methodology, risk analysis, prevention, lessons learned, etc.); Coordinate internal transversal improvement raised by the supplier that impact the quality of products/services (i.e. standardization of technical specifications, quality of data package, etc.); Quality referent for supplier quality processes; Support process owners in the deployment and improvement of their process, in compliance with Quality Management System requirements.

• Supplier audit: Manage IFE supplier audit schedule (industrial, technical, design audits); Perform supplier audits and follow-up actions until closure; Coordinates pool of internal auditors and maintain their certifications to perform supplier audits; Project management & continuous improvement; Drives key initiatives (like Airbus Supplier Quality Improvement Program) and transversal team to improve supplier quality performance.

• Industry Quality Leader: Raise the maturity of Industrial Operations by supporting operational teams; Conduct transverse Quality activities (issue detection, analysis, prevention, training on methodologies, support, coaching, lessons learned, etc.); Oversees work transfers and industrial change notifications, working with the teams to assess risks and coordinate with impacted OEMs (sends Industrial Change Notifications to key partners and stakeholders); For all these activities, work closely with all applicable stakeholders within and outside the Quality team including with other Thales facilities across the USA and the world.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in an applicable field with a minimum of 5+ years of experience or Master’s degree in an applicable field with 4+ years of experience.
• At least 5 years of experience working in Manufacturing, Quality or Supplier Management and experience with System development life cycles, including knowledge of Agile framework.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint) with an ability to integrate a multi-cultural team quickly and cooperate efficiently, comprehend complex situations and concepts and shape solutions out of this complexity, able to influence key stakeholders for the overall benefit of the project and company, in a matrix environment, lead teams, engage them to perform and develop its members.
• Knowledge of applicable norms and standards (AS9100, AS9145 APQP), Knowledge of certification authorities and processes.
• Problem solving techniques (9S, 8D…) & Continuous Improvement (5S, DMAIC, PDCA, DOJO, OBEYA, ...); Manage complex and stressful situations; Risk & Opportunity identification and qualification techniques; Lean/Six Sigma practitioner / Lean/Six Sigma techniques; Change Management.

If you’re excited about working with Thales, but not meeting the requirements for this position, we encourage you to join our Talent Community!

Special Position Requirements

• Schedule: Core Business Hours Monday-Friday and potential support outside of business hours for urgent issues.
• Travel: Potentially 10% to 20% travel to supplier facilities and other Thales facilities within the USA and occasionally internationally.
• Regulatory Compliance Requirements: None.

What We Offer

The anticipated TTC range for this role is $97,298.80 - $115,500.00 USD Annual. The Company reserves the right to ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and offer additional benefits and other compensation, depending on circumstances not related to an applicant’s status protected by local, state, or federal law. 

Thales provides an extensive benefits program for all full-time employees working 30 or more hours per week and their eligible dependents, including the following: 

• Elective Health and Dental plans. 
• Retirement Savings Plan with a company contribution and a match, and without vesting period. 
• Company paid holidays, vacation days, and paid sick leave. 
• Company provided Life Insurance.

Why Join Us?

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This position will require successfully completing a post-offer background check. Qualified candidates with [a] criminal history will be considered and are not automatically disqualified, consistent with federal law, state law, and local ordinances.

Successful applicant must comply with federal contractor vaccine mandate requirements.

Thales champions inclusion and we believe diversity strengthens the fabric of our culture. We are an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

If you need an accommodation or assistance in order to apply for a position with Thales, please contact us at talentacquisition@us.thalesgroup.com.