Aspen Aerogels® is a rapidly growing aerogel technology company founded in 2001 to capitalize on patented advances in aerogel manufacturing. Aspen’s extensive portfolio of proprietary aerogel products are manufactured at scale and sold worldwide in the Electric Vehicle, Energy Infrastructure, and Power Generation industries. Aspen is a Tier 1/2 Automotive supplier of PyroThin® thermal barriers, and our Pyrogel® and Cryogel® insulation products are used by virtually all leading petrochemical and refining company across more than 50 countries. We’re on a mission to build a world-class organization as we continue to grow our energy infrastructure business, and expand to meet demand for PyroThin thermal barriers in the rapidly growing Electric Vehicle sector over the next decade. We’re looking for great passionate, dynamic talent to join our team.

Aspen is looking for an engaging, motivated, and inspirational Supplier Quality Manager to drive Aspen’s quality culture forward in the aerogel manufacturing business as well as its supply base. The Supplier Quality Manager will report to the Quality Manager – Aerogel Manufacturing. The Supplier Quality Manager will lead / support activities related to ensuring conformance to customer requirements, internal business practices, regulatory requirements, and existing or desired certifications. The right individual will be an on-the floor leader who establishes efficient, frequent, and collaborative communication with Operations, Process Engineering, Supply Chain, R&D, and EHS to facilitate collaboration on cross functional initiatives that improve product quality or maintain product quality while reducing cost through work process, unit operation, operating condition or process technology improvements. In addition, the QE will support a culture of continuous improvement throughout the company in alignment with Aspen’s vision, both in Aspen’s aerogel manufacturing and the raw material supply base.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead all supplier quality commercial activity for Aspen Aerogels through all phases of the Product Development Process (Pre-Phase 0; Supplier Identification; Sourcing; Product Definition; Product Design/Release; Part Production; Volume Launch)

• Work with Engineering System team to gather all relevant requirements, deliverables, and imperatives to meet program level deliverables (scope, timing, quality).

• Lead the Supplier development process

• Work with suppliers to execute improvements to Aspen’s Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Cost performance.

• Conduct on site Supplier assessments and follow up. Plan to spend significant time at supplier facilities.

• Lead the Supplier APQP, PPAP, Run at Rate activities and ensure Supplier compliance to all quality requirements.

• Monitor serial production performance and ensure supplier process capability meets product requirements

• Drive Supplier Problem Resolution

• Develop and work to improve internal Aspen Aerogels Supplier Quality systems

• Lead quality requirements development for RFQs; Actively support the full RFQ development process (lead by engineering and purchasing)

• Provide input into supplier bid list for each component/subsystem and qualify suppliers ahead of RFQ availability. This may include activities such as onsite supplier assessments and gathering of supplier performance and cost data.

• Actively support Aspen’s commercial team through the prototype and production sourcing process (PDP timing and program discipline requires prototype and production sourcing to be coordinated/same supplier and this sourcing activity will take place during the prototype phase of the program).

• Work in collaboration with Aspen Engineering and Aspen Supply Chain in decision criteria ratings and supplier selection.

• Actively support and participate in Supplier Technical reviews

• Collaborate with other leaders to develop policies, processes and procedures related to the procurement of goods and services.

• Interact with technical partners, customers and suppliers as needed (expected to lead Supplier interaction in a leveraged Tier 1-2 partnership).

• Work within a well-defined process, and participate in process improvement activities including toolchain procurement, evaluation, selection, and deployment.

• Creates and maintains an effective team of procurement professionals, consistently demonstrating effective communication, critical thinking, cooperation, project management, and critical thinking skills.

• Coordinate 2nd party audits of all kinds as well as the follow-up to the action plans resulting from these audits.

• Lead supplier qualification for key raw materials

• Use key product & process metrics to evaluate process effectiveness, identify improvement opportunities/best practices, and drive continuous quality improvement activities.

• Drive alignment of raw material inspection processes between Aspen and the supply base.

• Perform analysis of reports and production data to identify trends and recommend updates or changes to quality standards and procedures when necessary.

• Support validation efforts of approved testing to assure compliance.

• Provide validation support by applying manufacturing quality tools including, but not limited to: FMEA, DFMEA, PFMEA, IQ, OQ, PQ, control plans, process verification/validation plans, Cpk, Cp, SPC, DOE, process data analysis, and DMAIC.

• Develop, implement, and ensure that the Quality Management System conforms to customer, internal, regulatory/legal, and certifying organization requirements with regards to supplier efforts.

• Lead or support root cause investigation of nonconformities and develop, initiate, or implement corrective actions

• Audit and track supplier quality performance, and support the release of supplier scorecards.

• Overall implementation, sustainability of ISO9001 / IATF16949 Certification including any applicable customer specific requirements

• Manages the Quality Management System including documentation creation, update, and control - Responsible for activities involving quality assurance.

• Performs and executes Internal Audits and Layered Process Audits to support the QMS i.e ISO9001 / IATF16949. Identify gaps and make recommendations as needed.

• Prepare and provide written and oral reports, communications and/or presentations to management around the development / status of Audits

• Lead and support quality activities including FMEA, SPC, Gage R&R, Supplier Qualification, Calibration systems and Corrective & Preventative Actions in our aerogel blanket production lines.

• Audit and track supplier quality performance for aerogel blanket raw materials, particularly batting.

• Lead or support root cause investigation of nonconformities and develop, initiate, or implement corrective actions with suppliers for improved product quality, using standard root cause tools such as 8D, 5 Why’s, Fishbone Diagrams, and others.

  SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• This job will have supervisory responsibilities.

• Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws.

• Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, training, and developing employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

  QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in a related engineering discipline (System, Mechanical, Electrical, Software, Mechatronics, etc) and / or Supplier Quality / Purchasing / Supply Chain Management.

• Deep experience in automotive supplier quality, is a strong asset.

• 10+ years of experience with OEM (Automotive) or Tier 1 Supplier Quality or Commodity Management positions.

• 10+ years of experience across a wide range of Commodities leading Commercial / Quality Systems.

• 5+ years of experience leading/ managing complete total Vehicle Commodity Supplier Quality from Pre-Phase 0 thru Volume Production:

• Demonstrated capability to Lead a Large Scale, leveraged supplier quality activity across all Product Systems working under aggressive targets and timing

• Electric (EV) and Hybrid-Electric vehicle (HEV, PHEV) systems development experience a strong asset

• Experience working within a tightly revision-controlled environment (using a version control tool such as Subversion or git) an asset.

• Experience with a Requirements Management tools

• Other skills required:

• Excellent written and oral communicator

• Team player who is easy to work with

• Combination of big picture understanding and vision with outstanding attention to detail

• Problem solver with strong analytical skills – comfortable with both theoretical and practical issues

• Able to work independently and within a team

• Strong ability to document work

• Able to prioritize tasks effectively and to communicate roadblocks promptly to management within a fast-paced environment where project / team priorities may shift

• A curious person who stays abreast of the latest techniques and technologies

• High degree of discretion dealing with confidential information

• Able and willing to travel within US and Internationally as required

  PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Regularly required to sit or stand and move about the facility. Required to be able to read documents and computer screens.

• Occasionally may be required to lift up to 50lbs of equipment/parts for testing and/or fabrication activities.

  The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or physical requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

  PERKS OF JOINING OUR TEAM!

  Aspen is committed to offering a comprehensive benefits package, a positive and productive work environment, encouraged work/life and family balance, and opportunities for growth and development, in a culture that is focused on inclusion, sustainability, and working together to solve the world’s toughest challenges.

  Aspen is proud to offer a competitive benefits package including Medical, Dental, Vision, Tuition Reimbursement, Paid Holidays, Sick Time, and PTO. In addition, we also offer Fitness Reimbursement, a 401k Employer Match, Life and Disability Insurance, and other benefits.

  Aspen Aerogels, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics. The EEO is the Law poster is available here: http://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf.

  Aspen Aerogels, Inc. is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to abuttitta@aerogel.com or call (508) 466-3111 and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.