Supplier Development Lead

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

📋 Description

• Guide high-impact suppliers through a series of onsite evaluations and executive presentations.

• Oversee internal and supplier containment measures alongside Operations and Quality teams.

• Organize supplier kick-off meetings and implement rapid-response strategies.

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

• Create, execute, and assess supplier improvement strategies.

• Track KPIs and assess criteria for containment exits.

• Elevate recurring issues to crisis management or specialized teams.

• Collaborate with Commodity Teams and SBUs to shift suppliers toward sustainable operations.

• Identify supplier facilities and prioritize development initiatives based on risk, impact, and strategic commodity requirements.

• Execute supplier evaluations utilizing SRA, SHA, Gemba, and related methodologies.

• Engage suppliers through development roadmaps, training sessions, and focused maturity-model initiatives.

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

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

• Assess supplier maturity and initiate sustainability planning.

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

• Lead or assist in supplier transitions while minimizing disruptions.

• Implement APQP for new product introductions and work-transition projects.

• Work closely with Commodity Managers, Quality Assurance, Engineering, Operations, Planning, SBUs, supplier site leadership, and crisis-response teams.

⛳️ Requirements

• A University Degree or equivalent experience coupled with a minimum of 8 years of relevant experience, or an Advanced Degree in a related discipline with at least 5 years of experience.

• Proven experience in CORE / LEAN methodologies and tools for continuous improvement and best practice benchmarking.

• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including MS Project, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and MS Access.

• Ability to interpret blueprints, engineering schematics, work instructions, and manuals.

• Willingness to travel to supplier locations at least 50% of the time.

• U.S. citizenship is mandatory.

• Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams and building relationships across different business units.

• Familiarity with SAP is preferred.

🏝️ Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.

• Three weeks of vacation for newly hired employees.

• Generous 401(k) plan with employer matching contributions and a separate employer retirement contribution.

• Lifetime Income Strategy option.

• Tuition reimbursement program.

• Student Loan Repayment Program.

• Life insurance and disability coverage.

• Optional insurance for pets, home and auto, additional life and accident, critical illness, group legal, and identity theft protection.

• Benefits for birth, adoption, and parental leave.

• Ovia Health services, including fertility and family planning support.

• Adoption Assistance.

• Autism Benefit.

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

• Healthy You Incentives wellness rewards program.

• Doctor on Demand for virtual doctor consultations.

• Bright Horizons child and elder care services.

• Teladoc Medical Experts for second opinion consultations.

• Flexible work schedules.

• Employee Scholar Program.

• Paid time off and holidays.

• Opportunities for annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs may be available.