Supplier Development Lead

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

📋 Description

• Oversee internal and supplier containment measures in collaboration with Operations and Quality teams.

• Organize supplier kick-off meetings and coordinate rapid response initiatives.

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

• Design, execute, and assess supplier enhancement strategies.

• Track KPIs and assess containment exit criteria.

• Elevate ongoing issues to crisis management or specialized teams.

• Collaborate with Commodity Teams and Strategic Business Units (SBUs) to shift suppliers to sustainable practices.

• Identify supplier locations and prioritize development activities based on risk, impact, and strategic commodity requirements.

• Execute supplier evaluations utilizing SRA, SHA, Gemba, and similar techniques.

• Develop supplier improvement roadmaps, training programs, and targeted maturity-model initiatives.

• Align supplier readiness with Commodity Managers and Engineering teams for new projects and volume increases.

• Facilitate the creation of improvement plans, track KPIs, and manage gate reviews.

• Supervise supplier maturity and initiate sustainment planning efforts.

• Provide leadership or assistance during supplier transitions and ensure seamless handover of responsibilities.

• Implement APQP for new product launches and work transition initiatives.

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

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

⛳️ Requirements

• A university degree along with a minimum of 8 years of relevant experience, or an advanced degree in a related discipline with at least 5 years of experience.

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

• Proven experience in leading supplier recovery initiatives and transitions.

• Background in conducting Root Cause and Corrective Action inquiries for critical quality or delivery challenges.

• Proficient in project management.

• Experience in operations, manufacturing, engineering, quality, or supply chain roles involving supplier interactions.

• Familiarity with engineered products such as castings, plastics, machining, mechanical fabrication, forgings, and electrical components.

• Capability to apply lean methodologies and tools for ongoing improvement and process management.

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

• Experience in creating and utilizing LOB, WIP trackers, Clear to Build, and milestone charts.

• Ability to present to customers, interact with VP-level leadership, and collaborate with supplier CEOs and Presidents.

• Strong organizational abilities and a focused work ethic.

• U.S. citizenship is required as only U.S. citizens are authorized to access information under this program/contract.

• No security clearance is necessary.

🏝️ Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.

• Three weeks of vacation for newly hired staff.

• Generous 401(k) plan with employer matching contributions and an additional employer retirement contribution.

• Lifetime Income Strategy option.

• Tuition reimbursement program.

• Student Loan Repayment Program.

• Life insurance and disability coverage.

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

• Benefits for birth, adoption, and parental leave.

• Ovia Health services for fertility and family planning.

• Adoption Assistance programs.

• Autism Benefit services.

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

• Healthy You Incentives wellness rewards program.

• Virtual doctor consultations through Doctor on Demand.

• Bright Horizons services for child and elder care.

• Teladoc Medical Experts program for second opinions.

• Flexible work schedules available.

• Employee Scholar Program.

• Paid time off and holidays.

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