Supplier Quality Management (SQM) Manager

Responsibilities

• Develop and Maintain Supplier Quality Program: Create, implement, and sustain a comprehensive supplier quality program to ensure consistent quality across the supply chain. 

• Manage Audit Programs: Establish and oversee Capricor’s external audit programs to ensure compliance with regulatory standards. 

• Create Supplier Scorecards: Develop and maintain scorecards to evaluate supplier performance and drive accountability. 

• Ensure Audit Readiness: Maintain audit readiness and compliance with GMP and other regulatory standards. 

• Conduct Supplier Qualifications and Audits: Perform supplier qualifications and risk-based audits to ensure supplier compliance and quality. 

• Manage SCAR Activities: Oversee all supplier corrective action request (SCAR) processes, ensuring timely resolution of issues. 

• Generation and Management of Quality Agreements: Author, negotiate, and maintain Supplier Quality Agreements to clearly define roles, responsibilities, and quality expectations. 

• Collaborate on Material Specifications: Work with cross-departmental teams to develop and refine material specifications. 

• Prepare Quality Metrics: Compile and present quality metrics to stakeholders to support decision-making. 

• Address Quality Issues: Partner with internal teams to resolve supplier quality and audit-related challenges. 

• Drive Best Practices: Contribute to the development and implementation of best practices to enhance compliance and performance. 

• Perform Data Analysis: Conduct data analysis and maintain organized records, reports, and databases to support quality processes. 

• Implement Continuous Improvement: Recommend and implement measures to enhance quality processes and operational efficiency. 

• Train Employees: Provide training on relevant quality procedures to ensure consistent adherence across teams. 

• Develop SOPs: Write or revise QA/QC/Supply Chain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to maintain compliance. 

• Present Data Internally: Deliver data-driven insights to support decision-making and quality initiatives. 

• Work Independently: Operate with minimal supervision to achieve project goals and meet deadlines. 

• Review and Approve Documents: Review and approve assigned documents to ensure accuracy and compliance. 

• Perform Additional Duties: Undertake other quality-related responsibilities as assigned to support organizational objectives. 

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant Biological Science discipline required. 

• 7+ years of experience in a GMP Quality Control laboratory or GMP/GLP setting required, with direct experience in Supplier Quality Management and corporate/supplier audits. 

• Proven experience conducting audits as a lead auditor, ensuring compliance with internal and external quality standards. 

• 7+ years of hands-on experience in qualifying suppliers and vendors, including risk assessments, capability evaluations, and ongoing performance monitoring. 

• SCAR Management: Extensive experience managing Supplier Corrective Action Requests (SCARs), from initiation through closure, ensuring timely and effective resolution of quality issues.

•  Skilled in drafting, revising, and maintaining SOPs to support quality system effectiveness and regulatory compliance. 

• Supplier Quality Agreements: Demonstrated expertise in authoring, negotiating, and maintaining Supplier Quality Agreements to clearly define roles, responsibilities, and quality expectations. 

Preferred Qualification

• Proficiency in Outlook, MS Office, and other electronic systems; experience with aseptic processing a plus. 

• Excellent communication, time-management, and teamwork skills to collaborate effectively across departments. 

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail to manage records, reports, and databases. 

• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple responsibilities in a fast-paced environment. 

•  Ability to gown and work in classified areas for audits or inspections. 

• Ability to independently perform tasks, generate reports, and escalate issues as needed. 

• ASQ CQA certification preferred; candidates without current certification must demonstrate a willingness and ability to obtain certification within a specified timeframe. 

• Strong team player with the ability to collaborate effectively across cross-functional departments. 

Work Environment and Physical Demands

• Setting: Primarily office- and laboratory-based, focusing on supplier quality management, audits, and documentation, in an office or hybrid arrangement due to limited office space. 

• Physical Requirements: Requires gowning and working in classified areas; involves prolonged periods of computer use for data analysis, report generation, and SOP development; occasional lifting of office materials or equipment up to 20 pounds. 

• Travel: Occasional travel may be required for supplier audits or vendor meetings. 

Why Capricor? 

Capricor Therapeutics is an industry leader in cell and exosome therapy, pushing boundaries to create innovative treatments that raise the standard of care. Grounded in integrity and driven by science, our team is committed to making a meaningful impact through patient-centered innovation. Join us and be part of a team that’s changing lives—help us shape the future of healthcare. 

This role offers the ability to develop and execute vendor programs that align with the organization's vision and growth objectives. You will develop partnerships where vendor insights, expertise, and strategic perspectives are recognized and valued.