Let's introduce ourselves

We are seeking a highly motivated Supplier Performance Management (SPM) Team Manager to lead the Mexico-based Supplier Performance team supporting new vehicle program launches and ongoing production for Volvo Cars North America. The role is accountable for supplier quality, delivery performance, manufacturing readiness, risk mitigation, and the consistent execution of supplier development activities across assigned suppliers and commodities.

What you'll do

People Leadership

• Lead, coach, and develop the Mexico Supplier Performance Management team, setting clear expectations and ensuring alignment with regional and business priorities.
• Establish individual development plans, conduct regular one-to-one meetings, provide timely feedback, and support performance management and succession planning.
• Build a culture of accountability, transparency, ownership, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Manage workload, staffing needs, travel priorities, and resource allocation according to supplier and program risk.
• Develop the team’s technical capability in supplier quality, manufacturing, launch readiness, problem-solving, and stakeholder management.

Supplier Performance Management

• Own supplier performance execution for assigned suppliers, including quality, delivery, capacity, manufacturing readiness, and launch performance.
• Identify supplier risks early and ensure effective containment, corrective action, escalation, and recovery plans.
• Lead resolution of major supplier quality incidents and delivery constraints using disciplined problem-solving and sustainable corrective actions.
• Ensure appropriate use of supplier escalation processes, including Controlled Shipping and management-level escalation when required.
• Support sourcing decisions and supplier selection through manufacturing capability assessments, risk reviews, and readiness input.

Program Launch and Industrialization

• Ensure supplier readiness for new vehicle programs and engineering changes.
• Govern APQP execution, milestone adherence, supplier action closure, and timely escalation of launch risks.
• Ensure PPAP submissions are complete, robust, and approved according to program timing.
• Coordinate cross-functional recovery actions for suppliers that are not meeting launch, capacity, quality, or delivery requirements.

Operational Excellence and Governance

• Ensure disciplined execution of APQP, PPAP, 8D, FMEA, supplier audits, capacity assessments, SEMAT, and Controlled Shipping activities.
• Monitor supplier performance KPIs and early-warning indicators; establish action plans and follow-up routines for underperforming suppliers.
• Lead supplier performance reviews and communicate status, risks, decisions, and recovery plans to relevant stakeholders.
• Drive continuous improvement in supplier quality, delivery, manufacturing flow, and process capability using lean principles and structured improvement methods.
• Ensure compliance with Volvo Cars standards, internal policies, and applicable regulatory requirements.

Cross-Functional Collaboration and Communication

• Partner closely with Purchasing, Plant Quality, Logistics, Manufacturing Engineering, Program Management, and Global Commodity teams.
• Prepare clear, data-driven executive summaries, supplier performance updates, risk reports, and sensitive presentations.
• Escalate critical supplier risks in a timely and fact-based manner, ensuring clear ownership and decision-making.
• Maintain strong working relationships with supplier leadership while confidently leading difficult performance and accountability discussions.

What you'll bring

Volvo Core Competencies

• Collaborates: Builds partnerships and works collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
• Drives Results: Consistently achieves results, even under challenging circumstances.
• Self-Development: Actively seeks opportunities to grow and strengthen leadership and technical capability.
• Builds Trust: Gains the confidence of others through honesty, integrity, consistency, and authenticity.

Role Competencies

• Ensures Accountability
• Plans and Aligns
• Drives Engagement
• Decision Quality
• Manages Complexity
• Optimizes Work Processes
• Customer Focus
• Courage

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical field, or equivalent relevant experience.
• Minimum 10 years of relevant experience in supplier quality, supplier performance, manufacturing engineering, automotive operations, or new product launches.
• Demonstrated experience leading technical teams or cross-functional initiatives; direct people leadership experience is strongly preferred.
• Strong applied knowledge of APQP, PPAP, 8D, FMEA, supplier audits, manufacturing processes, and supplier development.
• Experience managing supplier escalations, recovery plans, and complex quality or delivery issues.
• Strong communication, presentation, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to analyze performance data and translate findings into clear priorities and actions.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and PowerPoint.
• Fluent written and spoken English and Spanish.
• Ability and willingness to travel domestically and internationally as required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting automotive new vehicle launches or high-volume manufacturing environments.