Senior Supplier Quality Engineer, Plastics

Job Summary
L7 Senior Supplier Quality Engineer - Team Leader, Plastics:

Owns the Plastics Supplier Quality function, leads and develops a team of SQEs, drives commodity-level strategy, manages executive supplier governance, and is accountable for supplier quality performance and risk management across the plastics supply base.
This individual will also maintain a hands-on role as an individual contributor, retaining responsibility for selected suppliers and execution of key tactical supplier quality activities.

Job Title: Senior Supplier Quality Engineer - Team Leader, Plastics (L7)

Company Overview

Insulet started in 2000, driven to achieve our mission of enabling our customers to enjoy simplicity, freedom, and healthier lives using our Omnipod® product platform. In the last two decades, we have improved the lives of hundreds of thousands of patients who have insulin-requiring diabetes through innovative technology that is wearable, waterproof, and lifestyle accommodating.

We are on an exciting trajectory of significant growth and global expansion, enabling us to reach more patients around the globe.

We are looking for highly motivated, performance-driven individuals who want to be part of building our Center of Excellence and be at the forefront of our rapidly growing global footprint. We are looking to hire exceptional people who are guided by shared values and a desire to exceed customer expectations. Our continued success depends on it.

Position Overview

The Senior Supplier Quality Engineer - Team Leader, Plastics, is responsible for leading Insulet's Plastics commodity Supplier Quality function while providing both technical and organizational leadership across a global supplier network.

This role is accountable for supplier quality governance, supplier performance management, quality systems oversight, and execution of strategic initiatives supporting new product introduction, manufacturing expansion, supply continuity, and regulatory compliance. The individual develops, deploys, monitors, and continuously improves supplier quality systems and metrics while ensuring supplier performance aligns with business objectives and regulatory requirements.

In addition to direct supplier quality responsibilities, this role serves as a first-line people leader responsible for coaching, mentoring, and developing a team of Supplier Quality Engineers supporting the Plastics commodity. The role works closely with Supplier Development Engineering, Procurement, Design Engineering, Manufacturing Operations, Regulatory Affairs, Quality Systems, and external suppliers to drive supplier performance, mitigate risk, and enable business growth.
Effective communication of supplier quality performance, organizational risks, strategic initiatives, and supplier capability is critical to the success of this position. The successful candidate will combine deep technical manufacturing expertise with strong leadership capabilities to improve supplier quality performance, support capacity expansion, and ensure delivery of high-quality products across Insulet's global footprint.

Responsibilities

Team Leadership & Organizational Development
• \tLead, mentor, coach, and develop a small team of Supplier Quality Engineers supporting the Plastics commodity.
• \tEstablish team priorities, performance objectives, development plans, and succession strategies aligned with organizational goals.
• \tProvide technical leadership and guidance on complex supplier quality issues, investigations, and strategic initiatives.
• \tDrive employee engagement, accountability, capability development, and continuous improvement within the Supplier Quality team.
• \tBalance team workload and resources to support business priorities, supplier initiatives, and new product development activities.
• \tFoster a culture of quality, collaboration, ownership, and operational excellence.

Supplier Quality Strategy & Governance
• \tOwn supplier quality deliverables supporting Plastics category sourcing strategies, supplier governance, and continuity of production.
• \tServe as the quality lead for the Plastics commodity and establish supplier quality strategies supporting business growth, manufacturing expansion, dual sourcing, and supply continuity objectives.
• \tDevelop and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs), dashboards, scorecards, and risk metrics to assess supplier performance and supplier quality system effectiveness.
• \tLead strategic supplier quality initiatives supporting cost reduction, capacity increases, supplier transfers, dual sourcing, localization efforts, and risk mitigation programs.
• \tDevelop risk management strategies to proactively identify and mitigate product, supplier, operational, and compliance risks.
• \tLead executive supplier performance reviews and governance discussions with key suppliers and internal stakeholders.

Plastics Commodity Supplier Quality Leadership
• \tDemonstrate strong technical expertise in plastics manufacturing processes and supplier quality systems.
• \tPossess comprehensive knowledge of plastic component manufacturing, injection molding, mold tooling, polymer materials, process validation, dimensional inspection, statistical process controls, and reliability testing methodologies for medical device applications.
• \tPossesses exceptional analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving capabilities.
• \tSupport qualification and validation activities related to plastics suppliers, manufacturing processes, and critical component technologies.
• \tPartner with suppliers and internal teams to improve process capability, product quality, reliability, and manufacturing performance.
• \tSupport new manufacturing line qualifications, supplier transfers, capacity expansion initiatives, and new product introduction activities.

Supplier Development & Performance Management
• \tEngage strategic partnerships with suppliers, sub-tier suppliers, Supply Chain Management, and Supplier Development Engineering to drive supplier accountability and performance.
• \tLead supplier selection, qualification, and development activities to ensure quality, reliability, and scalability requirements are achieved.
• \tDrive continuous improvement activities through supplier scorecards, performance reviews, quality improvement plans, and corrective action programs.
• \tMonitor supplier performance and drive measurable improvements in quality, responsiveness, delivery performance, and process capability.

Quality Systems, Audits & Supplier Controls
• \tLead supplier quality system assessments, process audits, quality system audits, surveillance audits, and for-cause investigations.
• \tEnsure compliance with corporate quality systems, medical device regulations, industry standards, and supplier quality requirements.
• \tReview and approve supplier qualification documentation, process validations, quality plans, inspection strategies, and change notifications.
• \tCoordinate technical assessment, review, documentation, and approval of supplier change requests.
• \tEnsure supplier quality records and supporting documentation remain accurate, complete, and audit ready.

Nonconformance, Corrective Action & Risk Management
• \tLead root cause investigations related to supplier quality issues, non-conforming materials, and quality events.
• \tDrive Supplier Corrective Action Requests (SCARs), containment activities, effectiveness monitoring, and sustainable corrective actions.
• \tServe as escalation point for critical supplier quality issues, supply disruptions, product quality concerns, and compliance risks.
• \tLead cross-functional problem-solving efforts to address recurring supplier quality challenges and systemic issues.

New Product Introduction & Capacity Expansion
• \tProvide supplier quality leadership to support new product development, new technology introductions, manufacturing scale-up activities, and global expansion initiatives.
• \tPartner with Engineering, Operations, Procurement, and Supplier Development teams to ensure supplier readiness for future business growth.
• \tSupport transfer activities, process validations, qualification programs, and manufacturing readiness initiatives associated with new products and capacity expansion.

Executive Communication & Stakeholder Management
• \tEffectively communicate supplier quality performance metrics, strategic initiatives, emerging risks, and improvement opportunities to all levels of the organization.
• \tPrepare and present executive-level reports, dashboards, business reviews, and supplier performance summaries.
• \tInfluence internal stakeholders and supplier leadership to drive alignment, accountability, and timely execution of improvement initiatives.
• \tLead escalation discussions and provide recommendations to senior leadership regarding supplier quality risks and mitigation strategies.

Required Leadership / Interpersonal Skills & Behaviors
• \tDemonstrates strong leadership capabilities with the ability to motivate, coach, and develop technical professionals.
• \tDemonstrates agility and responsiveness to evolving quality, operational, and business challenges.
• \tEffectively influences internal cross-functional teams and external suppliers to drive resolution and continuous improvement.
• \tBuilds strong partnerships across Engineering, Operations, Procurement, Supplier Development, and Quality organizations.
• \tDemonstrates a strong customer-focused mindset while maintaining compliance and quality standards.
• \tCommunicates clearly, concisely, and persuasively across all organizational levels, including executive leadership.
• \tDemonstrates strong business acumen and sound decision-making under conditions of ambiguity and competing priorities.
• \tEffectively manages multiple complex initiatives while maintaining focus on organizational objectives.
• \tOperates successfully in a team-oriented, high-energy, and fast-paced environment.

Required Skills & Competencies
• \tStrong understanding of Quality Management Systems (QMS), supplier quality systems, complaint handling, and regulatory frameworks including 21 CFR Part 820, 21 CFR Part 11, and IPC-A-610 standards.
• \tComprehensive understanding of plastics manufacturing technologies, supplier qualification processes, and supplier quality methodologies.
• \tExpertise in PPAP, DOE, Process Capability Analysis, Gage R& R, Control Plans, SPC, Failure Analysis, and Inspection Methodologies.
• \tStrong knowledge of supplier audits, supplier quality system assessments, supplier risk management, and supplier performance monitoring.
• \tDemonstrated leadership and project management capabilities.
• \tExcellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• \tStrong verbal, written, presentation, and executive communication skills.
• \tAbility to analyze quality data and generate actionable insights through dashboards, scorecards, and performance metrics.
• \tStrong proficiency in problem-solving methodologies and continuous improvement techniques.
• \tAbility to handle confidential and sensitive information with professionalism and discretion.

Education & Experience
• \tBachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or Plastics Engineering or related technical discipline.
• \t5-8 years of progressive work experience for those with a bachelors degree OR 3 years of progressive work experience for those with a masters degree in medical device Supplier Quality Engineering, Quality Engineering, or Manufacturing Engineering.
• \tAt least 2 years of demonstrated technical leadership, project leadership, team leadership, or people management experience.
• \tExperience supporting plastics manufacturing environments, including injection molding, polymer materials, mold tooling, secondary operations, and plastic component suppliers.
• \tDemonstrated experience leading supplier performance improvement initiatives and cross-functional quality programs.
• \tExperience working within regulated industries such as medical devices, pharmaceuticals, aerospace, or other highly regulated manufacturing environments.
• \tASQ CQE, CQA, Six Sigma Green Belt/Black Belt, or equivalent certification preferred.
• \tExperience leading global supplier quality initiatives and managing international supplier relationships preferred.

Additional Information
• \tThis position is based at our Acton site. Candidate must plan to be onsite at least 4 out of 5 days a week.
• \tResponsible for leadership and development of a Supplier Quality team.
• \tExpected to lead supplier quality strategy across a global plastics supplier portfolio.
• \tEstimated travel: 25-35%, with flexibility based on business needs.
• \tOccasional international travel and engagement with global manufacturing sites and strategic suppliers may be expected.

Additional Information:
Compensation & Benefits: For U.S.-based positions only, the annual base salary range for this role is $87, 100.00 - $130, 600.00 This position may also be eligible for incentive compensation. We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including: • Medical, dental, and vision insurance • 401(k) with company match • Paid time off (PTO) • And additional employee wellness programs Application Details: This job posting will remain open until the position is filled. To apply, please visit the Insulet Careers site and submit your application online. Actual pay depends on skills, experience, and education.

Insulet Corporation (NASDAQ: PODD), headquartered in Massachusetts, is an innovative medical device company dedicated to simplifying life for people with diabetes and other conditions through its Omnipod product platform. The Omnipod Insulin Management System provides a unique alternative to traditional insulin delivery methods. With its simple, wearable design, the tubeless disposable Pod provides up to three days of non-stop insulin delivery, without the need to see or handle a needle. Insulet's flagship innovation, the Omnipod 5 Automated Insulin Delivery System, integrates with a continuous glucose monitor to manage blood sugar with no multiple daily injections, zero fingersticks, and can be controlled by a compatible personal smartphone in the U.S. or by the Omnipod 5 Controller. Insulet also leverages the unique design of its Pod by tailoring its Omnipod technology platform for the delivery of non-insulin subcutaneous drugs across other therapeutic areas. For more information, please visit insulet.com and omnipod.com.

We are looking for highly motivated, performance-driven individuals to be a part of our expanding team. We do this by hiring amazing people guided by shared values who exceed customer expectations. Our continued success depends on it!

At Insulet Corporation all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

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