Join Axon and be a Force for Good.

At Axon, we’re on a mission to Protect Life. We’re explorers, pursuing society’s most critical safety and justice issues with our ecosystem of devices and cloud software. Like our products, we work better together. We connect with candor and care, seeking out diverse perspectives from our customers, communities and each other.

Life at Axon is fast-paced, challenging and meaningful. Here, you’ll take ownership and drive real change. Constantly grow as you work hard for a mission that matters at a company where you matter.

Job Description - Senior Director, Supplier Quality

Your Impact 

As the Sr Director, Global Supplier Quality, you will develop and execute a Supplier Quality Management strategy and system that ensures the high performance of Axon’s supply chain to deliver all sourced components, parts, materials and assemblies in accordance with specified requirements. You will ensure the rigorous evaluation and selection of new suppliers, continuously monitor and manage the performance of Axon’s supply base to drive improvement actions, assess and mitigate risks in the suppliers’ manufacturing processes, and continually drive the corrective and prevention action process to permanently eliminate any defects produced. You represent the voice of the customer to our supply chain partners and are a continuous quality improvement force within the organization through effective interactions within the broader Manufacturing, Quality, and Supply Chain teams and strong collaboration with Engineering and Product Management.

What You’ll Do

Location: Onsite at our Scottsdale, AZ office, Travel up to 40% of time
Reports to: VP, Global Quality
Direct Reports: (3) but will have oversight of a global team of (30)

• New supplier assessment and selection
• Influence sourcing decisions based on supplier quality performance and/or evaluation of supplier quality systems and capabilities
• Ensure critical partnership with the Global Supply Chain Leadership team
• Supplier performance management
• Continuously monitor supplier quality performance and facilitate periodic business reviews to drive improvements to the Supplier Quality Gate
• Supplier process development and risk mitigation
• Working in close collaboration with our supply partners, facilitate the development and maintenance of collaborative efforts such as Supplier DFM, CTQ Development and ongoing management, and FMEA to quantify supplier process risks and enable defect prevention. Ensure robust assembly operations and manufacturing processes through manufacturability assessment and error-proofing methods to prevent operator errors. Ensure robust production testing processes to prevent the escape of product nonconformities.
• Supplier Quality Control
• Institute and continuously improve the inspection and testing schemes for key product characteristics and process parameters within the supplier’s manufacturing process to ensure that the product produced is to specifications; and that necessary actions are taken to correct non-conformances when they are detected. Institute any Axon source inspection and product/process audits to drive supplier behavior for continuous quality improvement. Ensure supply partners carry out GR&R or other MSA processes for measurement alignment.
• Supplier Quality Improvement
• Effectively manage the closed-loop problem resolution process to minimize the impact of supplier nonconformances to Axon and its customers from proper material containment and product screening to rigorous root cause identification and corrective action implementation to prevent reoccurrence
• Supplier new part approval
• Apply a rigorous First Article Inspection product and process qualification process for the approval of new parts supplied to Axon to ensure that Axon specifications are properly understood by the supplier and that the process can produce product consistently meeting Axon requirements during an actual production run at the quoted production rate
• Axon incoming quality control
• Oversee a team of incoming inspectors and manage the incoming sampling for the receipt of supplier components and raw materials as a means of monitoring supplier quality performance and as a gate to prevent nonconforming material from negatively impacting the manufacturing and order fulfillment
• Fulfill other management responsibilities including staff development:
• Coach, mentor, and provide training and tools to staff to facilitate the achievement of the requirements of their position and objectives.
• Establish the goals and objectives for staff that are aligned with Quality, Operations, and overall business goals.
• Manage, appraise, and develop staff. Take necessary corrective actions for underperformance.
• Interview prospective talent for quality, reliability, and other operations functions as needed and participate in hiring decisions.
• Develop and maintain effective relationships with employees through effective and timely communication.

What You Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Industrial or Electrical engineering
• CMQ/OE, CQE certified
• 10-15 years’ combined experience working in a Supplier Quality/Development or Quality function on complex electromechanical systems.
• Minimum 7-10 years’ experience of people management
• Strong track record of successfully managing both domestic and overseas suppliers and 3^rd party contract manufacturers, Mexico and Asia
• Business and EQ savvy to build strong relationships with supplier management to influence decisions and affect outcomes
• Strong knowledge of the product life cycle process; new product introduction, sustainment, end of life/obsolescence
• Highly skilled with root cause analysis tools and problem-solving methods
• Highly skilled with defect avoidance methodologies such as poke yoke, DFMEA/PFMEA, DOE, DFx
• Strong knowledge and experience with APQP concepts and methodologies including FMEA, quality control planning, error-proofing, PPAP, SPC, MSA.
• Proficient in MS Office suite of applications and statistical analysis and tools, such as Minitab

Benefits that Benefit You

• Competitive salary and 401k with employer match
• Discretionary paid time off
• Paid parental leave for all
• Medical, Dental, Vision plans
• Fitness Programs
• Emotional & Mental Wellness support
• Learning & Development programs
• And yes, we have snacks in our offices

Benefits listed herein may vary depending on the nature of your employment and the location where you work

Don’t meet every single requirement? That's ok. At Axon, we Aim Far. We think big with a long-term view because we want to reinvent the world to be a safer, better place. We are also committed to building diverse teams that reflect the communities we serve.

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they check every box in the job description. If you’re excited about this role and our mission to Protect Life but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification listed here, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Important Notes

The above job description is not intended as, nor should it be construed as, exhaustive of all duties, responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with this job. The job description may change or be supplemented at any time in accordance with business needs and conditions.

Some roles may also require legal eligibility to work in a firearms environment.

Axon’s mission is to Protect Life and is committed to the well-being and safety of its employees as well as Axon’s impact on the environment. All Axon employees must be aware of and committed to the appropriate environmental, health, and safety regulations, policies, and procedures. Axon employees are empowered to report safety concerns as they arise and activities potentially impacting the environment.

We are an equal opportunity employer that promotes justice, advances equity, values diversity and fosters inclusion. We’re committed to hiring the best talent — regardless of race, creed, color, ancestry, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship status, marital status, disability, gender identity, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances — and empowering all of our employees so they can do their best work. If you have a disability or special need that requires assistance or accommodation during the application or the recruiting process, please email recruitingops@axon.com. Please note that this email address is for accommodation purposes only. Axon will not respond to inquiries for other purposes.