Senior Supplier Development Lead

Role Description

The Senior Supplier Development Lead (SDL) is a critical forward deployed role within the Global Supplier Development organization, responsible for driving supplier recovery, capability improvement, and sustainable performance. This role is hands-on and cross-functional, supporting operational containment, supplier assessments, and execution of structured improvement plans across global commodities. The ideal candidate is both detail-oriented and strategic, capable of managing crisis situations and long-term development actions that align with business unit goals and enterprise-wide initiatives.

While this role is remote-based, candidates residing in Central or Eastern Standard Time Zones will be given priority consideration.

What You Will Do

• Containment & Recovery:
  • Lead internal and supplier containment actions in collaboration with Operations and Quality.
  • Facilitate supplier kick-off meetings to align expectations and establish rapid response actions.
  • Conduct Root Cause and Corrective Action (RRCA) investigations to resolve critical quality or delivery issues.
  • Coordinate with stakeholders to develop and implement improvement plans and ensure clear communication through plan review checkpoints.
  • Monitor leading and lagging Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to assess progress.
  • Evaluate whether exit criteria have been achieved for containment efforts.
  • Escalate persistent issues to crisis mode or tiger teams when warranted.
  • Partner with Commodity Teams and SBUs to ensure closed-loop feedback and transition to sustainable operations.
• Supplier Development & Capability Building:
  • Lead supplier site identification and prioritize development efforts aligned with risk, impact, and strategic commodity needs.
  • Conduct supplier assessments using OCRA (Operational Capability & Risk Assessment) tool.
  • Engage suppliers with development roadmaps, training, and targeted actions tied to maturity models and long-term growth.
  • Align with Commodity Managers and Engineering teams on supplier readiness for new programs or volume ramp-ups.
  • Facilitate structured improvement plan development, KPI tracking, and gate reviews.
  • Monitor progress toward achieving target maturity levels and initiate sustainment planning once development objectives are met.
  • Support long-term monitoring and re-engagement cycles to ensure supplier performance remains stable.
  • Develop and build manufacturing process technology tools and standardization including FMEA and Control Plans.
  • Ability to travel to supplier sites as needed - minimum of 50% of time.
  • Must have knowledge and understanding of the Castings and/or Forging products and the manufacturing of.
• Transition Management & Leadership:
  • Provide leadership and/or support for supplier transitions, ensuring a smooth handover of work scope with minimal disruption.
  • Support the sustainment phase by monitoring supplier maturity post-transition and ensuring long-term capability.
  • Align with internal business units and suppliers to reinforce performance expectations and continuous improvement efforts.
  • Execute APQP for new product launch and work transition projects.

Qualifications

• Typically requires a University Degree and minimum 8 years prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 5 years of experience.

Requirements

• The ideal candidate must have a high energy level, experience working with cross-functional personnel, high communication skills including ability to develop a network of relationships with the various Collins Aerospace business units, strong work orientation and be well organized.
• Ability to apply CORE principles/tools to manage processes, ensuring continuous improvement in the systems and benchmarking best practices enhancing customer satisfaction at all levels.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite Applications (MS project, Word, Excel, Power Point, MS Access).

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Three weeks of vacation for newly hired employees.
• Generous 401(k) plan that includes employer matching funds and separate employer retirement contribution, including a Lifetime Income Strategy option.
• Tuition reimbursement program.
• Student Loan Repayment Program.
• Life insurance and disability coverage.
• Optional coverages you can buy: pet insurance, home and auto insurance, additional life and accident insurance, critical illness insurance, group legal, ID theft protection.
• Birth, adoption, parental leave benefits.
• Ovia Health, fertility, and family planning.
• Adoption Assistance.
• Autism Benefit.
• Employee Assistance Plan, including up to 10 free counseling sessions.
• Healthy You Incentives, wellness rewards program.
• Doctor on Demand, virtual doctor visits.
• Bright Horizons, child and elder care services.
• Teladoc Medical Experts, second opinion program.
• And more!