About the Role

The SQE SW manager is supposed to be a subject matter expert in all topics regarding Quality assurance for Software at suppliers. As such, this role will train, oversee, and coach colleagues inside and outside the SQE team software specific topics to reach the established quality goals while supporting procurement, Engineering, Programs, QO etc. with their SW supplier related activities.

The manager will ensure that only suppliers that have the capability of meeting all Harman and customer requirements will become officially approved vendor. This role will ensure that Harman benefits from best-in-class SW suppliers conscious of automotive quality. This role will monitor the quality performance of SW suppliers. In cases of poor performance, this role will drive for improvements, also in alignment with other functions, like category management.

This position will be the first escalation level in case there are critical quality or NPI issues with SW suppliers. This position also will be the go-to person in case specific knowledge and expertise for SW quality assurance is required.

The successful candidate will help to implement quality specific strategies for SW suppliers in alignment with HARMAN category management, business units, engineering, and quality. This requires knowledge of the business unit's technology and product roadmaps and specific expertise in the quality assurance of SW and standards like automotive SPICE.

Your Team

This position will not have any direct reports. This position reports into the Director SQE category.

What You Will Do

• Own overall global responsibility for all SW supplier qualification activities.
• Help to develop, drive, and own the global SW-supplier-specific quality strategy that aligns with business objectives and supports quality, growth, and profitability.
• Build and own appropriate supplier relationships with SW-suppliers.
• Plan activities needed to determine suppliers’ process capabilities e.g. through SW Quality workshop or assessment aligned with business priorities.
• Organize and execute Supplier assessments (onsite/offsite) using Automotive SPICE as yardstick to analyze gaps in development processes, process artifacts and work products.
• Qualify and re-qualify SW-suppliers, to ensure HARMAN only has business with capable suppliers.
• Determine SW specific requirements for quality assurance activities at SW suppliers.
• Be the interface to other departments (e.g. PM, Engineering, Procurement) to discuss requirements for SW suppliers.
• Monitor the supplier quality performance and drive for improvement activities in case needed.
• Lead, contribute and track SW supplier development activities.
• Manage effective supplier negotiations and event driven quality improvement activities to meet quality targets.
• Escalate issues adequately and effectively.
• Works with Category Management, BU, Engineering on new supplier qualification initiatives to ensure on time, on cost and on quality SW deliveries
• Support Category Management in supply base optimization.
• Enhance all processes, tools, systems, etc. used in SQE and engineering to make the work most efficient, reliable and in compliance with applicable standards, like IATF16949, SPICE, etc.
• Set priorities and balance the available resources based on criticality of the issue, component, technology, supplier, program, and other factors.

What You Need

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer science or equivalent technical education
• 6-8 years of experience in embedded software design or development
• Automotive SPICE competent assessor (VDA certified), with at least 300h of assessment experience and 3-5 years of experience in process improvement (HIS-Scope Level 3 and / or CMMI-DEV)
• Very good knowledge about further industry standards like CMMI, ISO 9001, TL 9000, ISO/IEC 15504, Test SPICE
• Ability to map identified weaknesses to inherent process issues and definition of remedies.
• Skills for effectively managing SW SQE function with globally distributed counter-parts which partners with geographically distributed multiple engineering teams working on multiple programs to ensure high quality based on SW delivery experiences
• Knowledge about Supplier Quality methodologies and tools
• Strong experience in quality problem solving.
• Proven ability to lead and achieve on-quality, on-cost, and on-time commitments.
• Strong negotiation and relationship-building skills.
• Success in collaborating with key work partners and able to maintain relationships at the working level.
• An effective team player committed to organizational goals, fostering collaboration among team members.
• Ability in communication across cultures.
• English (business fluent)

What is Nice to Have

• SAP, MSOffice Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Access, etc.)

What Makes You Eligible

• Be willing to travel up to 25%, domestic and international travel.
• Be willing to work in an [office, manufacturing facility, client-site} OR This role is eligible to work remotely full-time with occasional trips into the X office location required (this could be on 24-hour notice)

What We Offer

• Flexible work environment, allowing for full-time remote work globally for positions that can be performed outside a HARMAN or customer location
• Access to employee discounts on world-class Harman and Samsung products (JBL, HARMAN Kardon, AKG, etc.)
• Extensive training opportunities through our own HARMAN University
• Competitive wellness benefits
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Access to HARMAN Campus Fitness Center and Cafeteria
• An inclusive and diverse work environment that fosters and encourages professional and personal development

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