Skip to main content
Agilent Technologies, Inc. logo

Supplier Quality Category/Pillar Lead - Specialized Technology

Agilent Technologies, Inc.

Santa Clara, CAFull-time$119–224K/yrPosted todayStill listed today

See where you stand before you apply. No sign-up to start.

You apply on the posting's application page, with no Olive account needed.

Watch jobs like this.

Don't just apply. Show up ready.

Olive works from this exact posting.

At a glance

Compensation
$119–224K/yr
Location
Santa Clara, CA
Schedule
Full-time
Work Authorization
Not specified

Olive focuses on jobs in the United States, including remote roles you can work from there.

Job overview

The Supplier Quality Category/Pillar Lead – Specialized Technology develops and manages supplier quality strategy and execution across the category’s global supply base. The role partners with Procurement, NPI, business teams, and suppliers to qualify suppliers, improve quality and delivery, manage risks and corrective actions, and monitor performance. It begins as an individual-contributor position, with potential future team growth and responsibility for developing supplier and organizational quality culture.

Skills & qualifications

RequiredNice to have

Skills

Supplier Quality Management, nice to haveISO 13485, nice to haveISO 9000, nice to haveLean Six Sigma, nice to haveRoot Cause Corrective Action, nice to haveSupplier Performance Management, nice to haveSupplier Quality Strategy, nice to haveISO 13485/9001, nice to haveQuality Science Tools, nice to haveSupplier Qualification, nice to haveKPI Analysis, nice to haveAPQP, nice to haveSupplier Audits, nice to haveSupplier Change Management, nice to haveRisk Management, nice to haveFAI, nice to haveInterpersonal Skills, nice to haveCommunication, nice to haveInitiative, nice to haveCompliance, nice to haveFlexibility, nice to haveEfficiency, nice to haveTeamwork, nice to haveConflict De-Escalation, nice to haveGlobal Travel, requiredCross-Cultural Collaboration, nice to have

Qualifications

Bachelor's in Engineering, Quality or Manufacturing, nice to have5+ Years Supplier Quality Experience, nice to haveTeam Management Experience, nice to haveLean Six Sigma Certification, nice to haveRegulated Industry Experience, nice to have

Full job description

Job Description

Supplier Quality Category/Pillar Lead – Specialized Technology

The Supplier Quality Category/Pillar Lead – Specialized Technology, who will report to the AVP, Supplier Quality, will be responsible for developing, maintaining, and optimizing suppliers within the Specialized Technology supplier category/pillar, supporting all Agilent businesses and sites, to improve product and process quality and delivery within that category.

  • This role is Supplier facing and manages the strategy and execution of everything related to Supplier Quality, at the suppliers within that category/pillar.
  • Initially will be an individual contributor role, with potential future team growth, responsible for ISO13485/9001, Lean-6 Sigma, and Quality science tool deployment and continuous improvement at those category suppliers, that will have substantial impact on the KPIs, business results, and on delivering operational excellence to customers.
  • This role will closely partner with the core teams of the Supplier Quality function (Business/Site teams and Operations lead) and the Procurement Pillar team, to ensure their category/pillar supply base is assessed, qualified, and consistently delivering a quality product.
  • This individual must be a self-starting leader who can effectively partner with multiple functional organizations internally (Agilent) and externally (Supply Base) for success.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

  • Develop, execute, lead, and enhance a global supplier quality strategy in partnership with Procurement and NPI partners, across the Specialized Technology Category/Pillar, and aligned to business area short and long-term objectives
  • Total ownership of the category/pillar supply base quality through product life cycle, from initial sourcing to development, launch, and ongoing business management
  • Work to define and implement initiatives that includes capability, performance, quality, cost, and delivery improvements to our internal and external customers, using ISO13485/9001, Lean-6Sigma, and Quality science tools
  • Evaluate, qualify, create development plans, and manage the status for the category/pillar suppliers in the maintenance of the ASL
  • Drive rapid Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA) investigations to prevent defects and communicate to internal partners
  • Monitor, report on, and improve on key category supplier KPIs, understanding root cause(s) of changes in metrics, identify trends and associated action plans
  • Drive APQP and Quality Science tool deployment in key suppliers of the defined category supply base to mitigate risk
  • Partner with Procurement to create a One-Voice Agilent message to the supply base and internal partners
  • In collaboration with the Business Supplier Quality lead, drive the SCAR, Audit, supplier change management, quality agreements, risk management, qualification and FAI processes
  • Responsible for engaging key category supplier management in a business review process to monitor metrics, identify trends and implement programs to assure demonstrated performance improvements
  • As the function matures and potentially grows, manages and develops a high performing and diverse team of Supplier Quality Engineers within their category/pillar, prioritized by global regions (eventually)
  • Own and manage the Supplier Quality budget for your team, if the team grows
  • Enhance category/pillar supplier and organization quality culture through coaching and technical engagement

Qualifications

Education

  • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality or Manufacturing preferred
  • 5+ years’ direct experience, or related experience in Supplier Quality, preferably within the category/pillar defined; prefer experience managing teams
  • Experience with ISO 9001/13485 Quality Systems; APQP is a desire; Lean and 6Sigma certifications a plus
  • Experience with, and an understanding of, sourcing and execution in regulated, demanding industries such as Medical Device, Automotive, Aerospace/Defense, or other challenging markets

Essential Skills

  • Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively with people at all levels and in diverse and different settings
  • Self-starter; identifies challenges/problems and takes the initiative to identify solutions
  • Must demonstrate high degree of compliance, flexibility and efficiency in building systems and trust with suppliers and customers including regulatory agencies
  • Motivates team members, fosters and nurtures teamwork
  • Can diffuse high-tension situations calmly and effectively
  • Must be able to travel globally and work with all cultures

Additional Details

This job has a full time weekly schedule. Applications for this job will be accepted until at least November 20, 2026 or until the job is no longer posted.

The full-time equivalent pay range for this position is $119,200.00 - $223,500.00/yr USD in the US, or $97,315.00 - $163,500.00/yr CAD in Canada, plus eligibility for bonus, stock and benefits. Our pay ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. During the hiring process, a recruiter can share more about the specific pay range for a preferred location. Pay and benefit information by country are available at: https://careers.agilent.com/locations

Agilent Technologies, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity and merit-based employer that values individuals of all backgrounds at all levels. All individuals, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, pregnancy, race, religion or religious creed, color, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, registered domestic partner status, age, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state, local law, ordinance, or regulation and will not be discriminated against on these bases. Agilent Technologies, Inc., is committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive in the workplace where everyone is welcome, and strives to support candidates with disabilities. If you have a disability and need assistance with any part of the application or interview process or have questions about workplace accessibility, please email [email protected] or contact +1-262-754-5030. For more information about equal employment opportunity protections, please visit www.agilent.com/en/accessibility.

Travel Required:

35% of the Time

Shift:

Day

Duration:

No End Date

Job Function:

Quality/Regulatory

How this job compares

Set against the 385 open Supplier Quality jobs on Olive Jobs, counted November 15, 2026.

Pay
  • This posting$119–224K/yr
  • California median$128–196K/yr40 salary ranges
  • US median$126–215K/yr266 salary ranges

This range's midpoint, $171K, is 8% above the California median midpoint ($159K) — in the middle half of Supplier Quality salary ranges in California.

Openings
Olive Jobs lists 51 open Supplier Quality jobs in California and 385 across the US. 2% of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
Hiring the most in California
Experience
Supplier Quality postings that state a minimum ask for 5 years of experience at the median; the middle half ask for 3 to 10 years (296 postings).
Education
149 of the 385 open Supplier Quality jobs (39%) ask for a bachelor's degree or higher.

Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on November 15, 2026. Figures based on too few postings are left out.

Prepare for this role

You've read the whole posting — now see how you match it.