Principal Specialist, Supplier Performance

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Illinois.

📋 Description

• Lead internal and supplier containment initiatives in collaboration with Operations and Quality teams.

• Organize supplier kick-off meetings and initiate rapid response actions.

• Perform Root Cause and Corrective Action investigations for significant quality or delivery challenges.

• Create and execute supplier improvement plans, ensuring stakeholder communication and regular plan review checkpoints.

• Track leading and lagging KPIs and assess criteria for containment exits.

• Elevate ongoing issues to crisis mode or engage tiger teams as necessary.

• Collaborate with Commodity Teams and Supplier Business Units to transition issues into sustainable operations.

• Identify supplier sites and prioritize their development based on risk, impact, and strategic commodity requirements.

• Conduct supplier evaluations utilizing the OCRA tool.

• Engage suppliers through development roadmaps, training, maturity models, and targeted actions.

• Coordinate supplier readiness activities with Commodity Managers and Engineering for new programs and volume increases.

• Facilitate structured improvement plans, KPI monitoring, and gate reviews.

• Oversee maturity targets and kick-start sustainability planning.

• Assist with ongoing monitoring and re-engagement cycles for suppliers.

• Develop tools and standardization for manufacturing process technology, including FMEA and Control Plans.

• Lead or assist in supplier transitions, ensuring a seamless transfer of work scope.

• Monitor supplier maturity post-transition and reinforce long-term capabilities.

• Align performance expectations and continuous improvement efforts between internal business units and suppliers.

• Execute APQP for new product launches and project transitions.

• Travel may be required up to 50% of the time.

⛳️ Requirements

• Generally requires a University Degree with a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience, or an Advanced Degree in a related field with at least 3 years of experience.

• Background or experience in Operations, Supplier Development, and/or Project Management.

• Experience in the aerospace industry or a comparable manufacturing environment.

• Knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma, and/or Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA) methodologies.

• Proven experience in collaborating with cross-functional teams and building relationships across Collins Aerospace business units.

• Familiarity with applying CORE principles/tools to manage processes, drive continuous improvement, and benchmark best practices.

• Experience in Machining or Mechanical Fabrication is preferred.

• U.S. citizenship is a requirement.

• Ability to travel up to 50% is necessary.

• Security clearance is not a requirement.

🏝️ Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage.

• Three weeks of vacation for newly hired employees.

• Competitive 401(k) plan with employer matching contributions and a separate employer retirement contribution, including a Lifetime Income Strategy option.

• Tuition reimbursement program available.

• Student Loan Repayment Program.

• Life insurance and disability coverage provided.

• Optional coverage for pet insurance, home and auto insurance, additional life and accident insurance, critical illness insurance, group legal services, and ID theft protection.

• Benefits for birth, adoption, and parental leave.

• Ovia Health services for fertility and family planning.

• Adoption Assistance available.

• Autism Benefit provided.

• Employee Assistance Plan, which includes up to 10 free counseling sessions.

• Healthy You Incentives wellness rewards program.

• Access to Doctor on Demand for virtual medical consultations.

• Bright Horizons services for child and elder care.

• Teladoc Medical Experts second opinion program.

• Flexible work schedules offered.

• Employee Scholar Program available.

• Paid time off and holidays included.

• Potential for annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs (not guaranteed).

• Primarily remote work from home.

• Candidates may be required to attend certain interview steps in person.