Global Supplier Development Engineer

Global Supplier Development Engineer

With more than $1B in revenue, Tennant Company is a globally recognized leader in the cleaning equipment industry. For the past 150 years, we have been passionate about developing and manufacturing innovative and sustainable solutions for our customers. At Tennant Company, we are committed to stewardship and creating a cleaner, safer and healthier world. With manufacturing, operations and sales, service, and support functions across the globe, your journey at Tennant can take you places you never expected.

Purpose/Scope:The Supplier Development Engineer (SDE) plays a critical role in ensuring the quality, reliability, and performance of Tennant’s global supplier base. This role focuses on proactively qualifying new suppliers and part designs to meet company standards in quality, cost and delivery. The SDE will primarily partner with New Product Development and Global Strategic Supply to ensure aggressive product launch schedule is achieved. SDE will partner with lifecycle management teams including production, supplier quality and material control to ensure successful transition from concept to release.

SDE will be responsible for a broad range of electrical categories including PCBA’s, Chargers, Controllers and Autonomy.

Primary Responsibilies:

• Engage directly with a broad range of suppliers in multiple categories building on Tennant Company’s legacy of quality and innovation supporting our mission of creating a cleaner, safer, healthier world.

• Manage supplier performance to ensure they successfully supply Tennant parts per requirements.

• Evaluations & Selections

• Advanced product quality planning

• Production part approval

• Design for manufacturing improvements

• Capacity growth

• Collaborate with internal engineering and strategic sourcing to align supplier processes with design requirements.

• Ensure supply continuity to support tier two obsoletion, supply constraints & general market conditions.

General Responsibilites:

• Lead onsite evaluations of supplier operations from design control to raw materials, from order intake, production, and delivery with periodic audits.

• Qualify and onboard new suppliers to ensure alignment with company standards and regulatory requirements.

• Identify supplier leading risk indicators.

• Develop and effectively manage the successful execution of the part approval & supplier development opportunities within assigned categories and programs.

• Drive a structured approach, with suppliers, during the NPD phases utilizing tools such as capability assessments, process mapping, PFMEA, and part qualification - Material Design Review and First Articles

• Facilitate supplier reviews encompassing supplier design simulation, testing, and validation activities to ensure delivered quality at both the prototype and product launch phase.

• Ensure supplier capability and design requirements are aligned with requirements and growth strategies.

• Ensure SDE activities (product, tool, or process) align with program goals and support quality objectives.

• Partner with design engineering and suppliers to develop drawings, tolerances, GD&T including identifying areas for improvement in both component and manufacturing cost optimization.

• Support product launches by collaborating with suppliers on process validation, PPAP, FAI, and capability studies.

• Function as a liaison between suppliers and internal stakeholders to align expectations and ensure compliance with technical and quality requirements.

• Contribute to the development and refinement of project plans, schedules, and metrics.

• Contribute to the development and refinement of supplier quality procedures, documentation, and best practices.

• Own and lead continuous improvement activities with suppliers ensuring step changes in cost, quality, and delivery.

• Leverage strong project management and change management skills to drive continuous improvements for the categories and introduce innovative strategies.

Required Experience and Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering

• 5-7 years of experience in supplier development, quality engineering, product engineering, or manufacturing engineering

• Deep knowledge of PCB manufacturing & testing, electronic components, SMT processes and microelectronics

• Demonstrated expertise in root cause analysis tools.

• Demonstrated experience defining, executing, and continuously improving production processes.

• Familiarity with global supplier management and working across multiple time zones and cultures.

• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, requirements, and specifications.

• SAP experience a plus

• Ability to travel domestically and internationally (up to 20%)

Required Interpersonal and Behavioral Skills:

• Must be capable of working without direct supervision.

• Must be self-driven with strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.

• Must be capable of managing multiple projects and prioritized based on data driven necessities.

• Driven to improve internal and external processes.

• Elevated level of customer service and collaboration skills

• Strong oral and written communication skills

• Ability to influence without direct authority.

Competitive base salary commensurate with experience: $92,000- $137,900

Posted salary ranges are made in good faith. Tennant Sales and Service Co. reserves the right to adjust ranges depending on the experience/qualifications of the selected candidate as well as internal and external equity. Total Compensation = Base Salary + Benefits

Benefits = A comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, 401(k), disability, life insurance, paid time off, and voluntary benefits!

Begin your journey with us. Let's reinvent how the world cleans.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Tennant Company is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made on the basis of individual skill, ability, reliability, productivity, and other factors important to performance. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, physical or mental disability, age, veteran status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, or any other basis protected by state or federal law or local ordinance.