Supplier Development Specialist

Job Description

Supplier Development Specialist

Drive Supplier Performance. Reduce Risk. Strengthen the Supply Chain.

Location: Pontiac, MI

Schedule: Mon-Thurs onsite, remote on Fridays

Our client is seeking a Supplier Development Specialist to play a key role in developing, evaluating, and improving supplier performance across a complex manufacturing supply base. This position offers the opportunity to influence sourcing decisions, mitigate supplier risk, improve quality outcomes, and support operational excellence through close collaboration with Procurement, Quality, and Supply Chain teams.

The ideal candidate brings a strong understanding of manufacturing environments, supplier quality systems, and cross-functional problem-solving. This is an excellent opportunity for a professional who enjoys balancing strategic supplier development initiatives with hands-on issue resolution and continuous improvement efforts.

Key Responsibilities

• Assess supplier capability, capacity, quality systems, and operational readiness during sourcing activities and RFQ processes.
• Conduct supplier risk assessments and provide recommendations regarding supplier selection and development.
• Evaluate supplier performance history and Quality Management System (QMS) maturity.
• Lead supplier audits, capability assessments, and qualification activities for new and existing suppliers.
• Translate supplier quality and operational risks into measurable business and financial impacts to support sourcing decisions.
• Ensure supplier compliance with IATF 16949, ISO 9001, and customer-specific quality requirements.
• Monitor and maintain supplier certification records and compliance documentation.
• Support regulatory compliance initiatives, including IMDS and Conflict Minerals reporting requirements.
• Verify supplier adherence to established quality standards and contractual obligations.
• Drive supplier performance improvement initiatives focused on quality, delivery, responsiveness, and operational effectiveness.
• Support development and execution of supplier corrective action plans.
• Partner with suppliers to identify root causes and implement sustainable corrective and preventive actions.
• Promote continuous improvement methodologies and best practices throughout the supplier network.
• Monitor supplier performance through scorecards and key performance indicators.
• Track and analyze metrics including quality performance, supplier audit results, corrective action responsiveness, containment effectiveness, on-time delivery performance, and premium freight impacts.
• Identify and mitigate supply chain risks before they impact production or customer commitments.
• Support supplier chargeback, warranty, and Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ) initiatives.
• Serve as a key liaison between Procurement, Quality, Operations, and Supply Chain teams.
• Support escalation and resolution of critical supplier-related issues.
• Participate in supplier strategy reviews and performance improvement planning.
• Contribute to organizational efforts focused on supplier excellence and operational performance.
• Support supplier change management processes to ensure no unauthorized changes to materials, manufacturing processes, tooling, or production locations.
• Assist in the development and enforcement of supplier quality requirements related to PPAP, traceability, warranty management, and change control.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Finance, Business, Manufacturing, or a related field.
• 3-7 years of experience in supplier development, supplier quality, procurement, manufacturing, supply chain, or a related discipline.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and supplier operations.
• Experience conducting supplier assessments, audits, or performance evaluations.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel and data analysis skills.
• Strong problem-solving, communication, and stakeholder management abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Automotive manufacturing experience.
• Working knowledge of IATF 16949 and ISO 9001 standards.
• Experience with PPAP, APQP, corrective actions, and supplier quality processes.
• ERP experience, including SAP or similar systems.
• Familiarity with global sourcing and international supplier networks.
• Experience with supplier scorecards, KPI development, and performance management programs.

Titles Encouraged to Apply

• Supplier Quality Engineer
• Supplier Development Engineer
• Supplier Performance Manager
• Supplier Quality Specialist
• Supplier Quality Development Engineer
• Commodity Quality Engineer
• Supply Chain Quality Specialist

Why Consider This Opportunity?

• Direct impact on supplier strategy and business performance.
• High visibility role working across Procurement, Quality, and Supply Chain functions.
• Opportunity to lead supplier improvement initiatives and influence sourcing decisions.
• Exposure to executive-level decision-making and supply chain risk management.
• Collaborative environment focused on operational excellence and continuous improvement.

If you're passionate about supplier performance, quality improvement, and building resilient supply chains, we encourage you to apply.