Purpose of the RoleTo lead and coordinate supplier quality development activities by executing Valmet’s global Supplier Development Maturity Model. This role supports the harmonization of supplier quality processes, drives data-driven improvements, and develops supplier capabilities to ensure scalable, consistent, and high-performing quality execution across Valmet’s supply base.
Key Responsibilities:
Lead deployment of supplier development plans, based on risk, maturity, and strategic category needs, aligned withthe globalsupplier development strategy.
Drive harmonization and standardization of supplier quality processes, tools, and reporting practices across the regional SQM network.
Identifyand address supplier capability gaps using structured methods (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma, 8D); support root cause analysis and sustainable corrective actions.
Collaborate with theBA/Regional SQM Leader to align development activities with project priorities and resource availability.
Serve as a point of contact for supplier quality process improvement, contributing to process definition, digital tool adoption, and performance metric development.
Monitor, report, and escalate supplier improvement progress using standardized KPIs and dashboards; drive visibility and accountability in reporting.
Benchmark best practices internally across regions and externally with industry peers; share improvement tools, templates, and success cases.
Coach SQMcolleaguesand suppliers to embed a culture of continuous improvement, LEAN,and proactive quality management.
Support global initiatives and contribute feedback to refine the Supplier Development Maturity Model and related quality frameworks.
Knowledge & Skills
Strongexpertisein supplier development methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma, 8D, PDCA, APQP, etc.)
Working knowledge of supplier quality systems, audit frameworks, and maturity assessment tools
Experience in process standardization, documentation, and deployment across multi-site or multi-region settings
Data literacy to support performance measurement and reporting system development
Skilled in coaching, facilitation, and supplier engagement to enable sustainable improvements
Strong collaboration and influencing skills within a global matrix organization
Experience & Education
Universitydegree in Engineering, Quality, Operations, or Supply Chain
10+ years of experience in supplier quality, development, or manufacturing improvement roles. 15 years overall experience.
Proventrack recordin leading supplier development projects and cross-regional harmonization initiatives
Experience with capital projectsor low-volume, high-complexity manufacturing environments is preferred
Certification in Lean Six Sigma (Green Belt or higher) and familiarity with standards like ISO 9001 or VDA 6.3 is a strong asset
When everything works together
Valmet is where the best talent from a wide variety of backgrounds comes together. With over 19,000 professionals around the world, we are the leading global developer and supplier of technologies, automation and services for the pulp, paper and energy industries, and serve an even wider base of process industries with our automation systems and flow control solutions. Our commitment to moving our customers’ performance forward requires creativity, technological innovations, service know-how – and above all, teamwork.
Join the team! www.valmet.com/careersna
Valmet is a global technology leader serving process industries. We work together with our customers throughout the entire lifecycle, delivering cutting-edge technologies and services as well as mission-critical automation and flow control solutions. Backed by more than 225 years of industrial experience and a global team of over 19,000 professionals close to customers, we are uniquely positioned to transform industries toward a regenerative tomorrow.
In 2024, Valmet’s net sales totaled approximately EUR 5.4 billion. Our head office is in Espoo, Finland, and we have experts in approximately 40 countries around the world. Valmet’s shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki.
Valmet has two focused segments: Biomaterial Solutions and Services and Process Performance Solutions. Valmet’s operating model consists of five business areas: Automation Solutions; Flow Control; Pulp, Energy and Circularity; Packaging and Paper; and Tissue. The business areas are supported by a separate Latin America unit and a China Chair. The Global Supply unit supports cost-competitiveness by optimizing and leveraging Valmet’s global scale in procurement and production.
