Supplier Quality Manager

Patco Brands is one of the fastest-growing beverage companies in the United States. Independently owned, Patco has established itself by using 100% Blue Weber Agave and a proprietary process to innovate within the fast-growing ready-to-drink spirits category.Patco is a maker of margaritas, tequila, hard seltzers, Irish cream liqueur, and other spirits, under our own brands and for private labels. Our own brands and private labels, with nationwide distribution, include:· Rancho La Gloria Ready to Drink Margaritas · Rancho La Gloria Ranch Water · Big Sipz· Kirkland Signature Tequila · Kirkland Signature Hard Seltzers· Dough Ball WhiskeyPatco products are sold in every major retailer, including Costco, H.E.B., Kroger’s, Target, Walmart, and Whole Foods Market, just to name a few.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Summary:The Supplier Quality Manager is responsible for driving supplier quality excellence at Patco Brands by developing and executing a comprehensive supplier quality and approval strategy. This role will build and manage supplier quality systems, evaluate and approve suppliers at the earliest stages of product development, monitor supplier performance, and drive continuous improvement initiatives. Through collaboration with internal stakeholders and suppliers, the Supplier Quality Manager ensures that quality expectations are met, commercialization risks are mitigated, and materials consistently meet company standards and regulatory requirements.This role serves as the primary liaison between Patco Brands Quality Team and the Supplier's Quality Team to ensure product quality, commercialization readiness, and Compliance. The Supplier Quality Manager will:Develop and implement supplier quality and approval management processes.Evaluate and qualify suppliers during ideation and concept stages to ensure scalability,feasibility, and regulatory compliance.Establish performance expectations and conduct supplier evaluations and audits.Lead issue resolution efforts through corrective actions and root cause analysis.Partner with Procurement, R&D, Operations, and Quality teams to align supplierperformance with product development and commercialization goals.Drive a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement across thesupply base.Responsibilities:Leadership & Functional OversightManage the day-to-day supplier quality and approval function, ensuring priorities align with the company vision, mission, and strategy.Lead by example, fostering a culture of integrity, accountability, and respect.Research industry best practices, stay current on regulatory changes, and integrate continuous improvements into supplier quality and approval systems.Contribute to departmental budget planning and monitor quality-related expenditures.Support company initiatives and organizational change with professionalism and adaptability.Supplier Quality, Approval, R&D CommercializationDevelop and maintain strong supplier relationships through proactive communication and collaboration.Establish and enforce supplier quality standards and minimum system requirements across material categories. Lead supplier audits, site visits, and risk assessments to ensure compliance with internal and regulatory requirements.Attend Label press checks at the supplier to evaluate Quality and proactively identify risks prior to full production.Establish and enforce a supplier material retention/validation program by ensuring retained samples of every raw material and packaging component are reviewed, retained, and controlled.Evaluate and approve new suppliers and materials at the ideation and development stages, incorporating commercialization readiness into approval decisions. Partner with R&D and Procurement to integrate supplier approval into the new product development (NPD) process and stage-gate reviews. Support pilot runs, trials, and first production batches to confirm supplier scalability and commercialization readiness.Manage supplier corrective action reports (SCARs), ensuring timely root cause analysis, corrective action implementation, and effectiveness verification.Partner with the Quality Systems Manager to design targeted inspection protocols for high-risk or newly approved suppliers.Performance Monitoring & Continuous ImprovementDesign and maintain systems to track and report supplier performance, leveraging metrics such as defect rates, rejections, lots on hold, commercialization readiness, and consumer/distributor feedback.Proactively identify trends and areas for improvement, driving suppliers toward higher performance and launch reliability.Provide immediate feedback and hands-on support to ensure productivity and consistent results.Encourage innovation, problem-solving, and best practices across supplier and internal teams. Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in Quality Management, Supply Chain, Engineering, or Business OR equivalent relevant experience in supplier quality, approval, manufacturing, or related fields.5+ years of experience in a manufacturing quality role.5+ years of experience building and leading quality and supplier approval systems.Experience working with NetSuite.Certificates & LicensesSupplier Quality Professional (CSQP) through ASQ, or similar, preferred.Valid driver’s license.PCQI requiredKnowledge, Skills & AbilitiesAbility to travel to suppliers regularly (estimated up to 50%).Ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams.Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.Strong organizational, planning, and follow-up skills.Effective problem-solving and decision-making abilities.Working ConditionsGeneral office environment with frequent supplier travel (up to 50%).Required to drive automotive vehicles for site visits.Occasionally required to lift and carry cases of wine.Additional InformationThe selected candidate will closely align with the experience profile outlined above. Candidates who meet the majority of the criteria but fall short in one or two areas may still be considered on a case-by-case basis.                                        Location: CA – within 100 miles of Fairfield officeRemote/In-Office/Hybrid: Hybrid – 3 days in office (Tuesday -Thursday) and 2 days remote(Monday and Friday)Salary: $90,000–$110,000 per yearBy applying for this position, we are collecting personal information from you. Please read our privacy notice in the link below for information on how we collect and process your personal informationhttps://www.patcobrands.com/privacy-policy/