Supplier Development Manager

Supplier Development Manager

Supplier Development Manager is responsible for ensuring that suppliers consistently provide materials, components, and services that meet quality, technical, delivery, regulatory, and customer requirements for direct materials and services. Leads and provides direction to supplier development team to work closely with suppliers to evaluate supplier performance, resolve quality issues by driving corrective and preventative actions, conducts supplier audits and run at rates (capacity verification), supports new supplier qualification, supplier sourcing and supplier readiness for production. Drives safe launch activities for new parts and changes and drives supplier development and continuous improvements. Serves as a subject matter expert and mentors the supplier development team. The position plays a critical role in reducing supply chain risk.

Responsibilities and duties include:

• Drives supplier performance strategy by developing and analyzing supplier scorecards and KPIs.
• Leads supplier root cause and corrective action process ensuring accurate root cause and sustainable corrective actions.
• Oversees supplier-related crisis, leading response activities, escalation management, coordinating communication across teams and mitigating impacts.
• Leads supplier development and continuous improvement initiatives, whilst influencing strategy and prioritization.
• Evaluate, qualify, and approve new suppliers based on technical capability, manufacturing processes, quality systems, and risk assessments.
• Determine supplier suitability for specific parts, components, services, or product families through technical reviews and feasibility assessments during supplier sourcing process.
• Establishes supplier audit prioritization criteria and oversees supplier audit plan and activities to drive performance improvements.
• Supports review and approval of supplier PPAP documentation and production part submissions.
• Leads supplier capacity verification activities and tracking to ensure alignment with demand.
• Drives safe launch activities for new parts, engineering changes, and supplier related changes to ensure product quality during ramp up process.
• Review of supplier change requests.
• Ensure compliance with quality management systems and customer specific requirements.
• Collaborate with Procurement, Engineering, Manufacturing, and suppliers to ensure quality requirements are met.
• All other duties assigned.

Other responsibilities include:

• To ensure Kelvion's Standard of Excellence, which includes quality, is incorporated into every product we produce.
• Follow all company policies and procedures, including but not limited to Global Code of Business Principles, Code of Ethics and Business Conduct, Vision and Values, Operational Framework.

Requirements (knowledge, skills, and abilities) include:

• Strong knowledge of quality management systems such as ISO 9001 / IATF 16949 and/or industry specific standards.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and GD&T requirements.
• Expert in leading root cause analysis and corrective action processes using methodologies such as 8D, 5 Why, and Fishbone Analysis.
• Strong leadership skills including managing and coaching staff.
• Capacity to work independently from general supervision (must be self-motivated once given direction/guidance).
• Ability to communicate with oral and written communication effectively with all levels of personnel and management, both internal and external in a manner that creates cooperation and one team mentality.
• Exhibit good computer skills in Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint and ability to process numbers quickly to produce charts or other documents.
• Be able to deal with multiple changes and respond quickly to a fast-paced environment.
• Perform duties in an assertive, hands-on manner, with good attention to detail.
• Good Project/Time Management Skills.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to perform multiple tasks and obtain results working within strict time frames.
• Exposure to a metal fabrication and welding operation is a plus.
• Must possess good analytical problem-solving skills.
• Shall possess a basic understanding of statistical concepts.
• The ability to be a fast learner with the ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Must exhibit good interpersonal skills and promote and be a "Team" player.
• Ability to travel to suppliers as required.

Education and experience (required levels) include:

• BA or BS degree preferred in a technical field with 8+ years of experience including leadership in Supplier Quality or a related field in a manufacturing environment.
• Must understand quality certifications such as, ISO 9001 and preferably IATF 16949.
• Experience with statistical analysis software and quality tools.
• Experience supporting new product introduction, supplier changes, and supplier development initiatives.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma principles is a plus.

Physical requirements include:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; reach with hands, arms, and shoulders. The employee is occasionally required to walk; sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk and hear. The employee occasionally will be required hand lift and/or move objects up to 50 pounds.

Work environment characteristics include:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.