Associate Principal Supplier Quality Engineer – Supplier Development

General Summary

We are establishing a dedicated Supplier Development capability within Supplier Quality Engineering focused on strategic supply chain initiatives, strengthening supplier capability, and improving long-term supply continuity and resiliency. The Associate Principal Supplier Quality Engineer (Supplier Development) will serve as a technical and program leader for high-priority supplier initiatives, partnering with Strategic Procurement and cross-functional stakeholders to define strategy, align resources, manage interdependent workstreams, and drive programs through execution. This is an opportunity to help shape and grow an emerging organization while leading initiatives with broad business visibility, cross-functional influence, and long-term impact.

This position is responsible for leading complex, cross-functional supplier development programs spanning supplier qualification, capability improvement, risk reduction, and supply continuity. The role will establish program plans, integrate technical and business requirements, manage risks and dependencies, and mobilize internal and external stakeholders to improve supplier quality, scalability, process robustness, and readiness to support business growth. The individual will provide technical leadership across a portfolio of supplier initiatives and influence decisions that affect supply continuity, product quality, and long-term supplier strategy.

Primary Responsibilities

Supplier Development & Capability Improvement

• Lead and/or support supplier capability development initiatives to improve quality, scalability, process robustness, and long-term supplier readiness.

• Execute and support supplier improvement roadmaps and long-term development plans aligned with Strategic Procurement strategies and Technical Operations Engineering priorities

• Drive supplier improvement activities including Kaizen events, process optimization projects, variation reduction efforts, and operational excellence initiatives.
• Perform supplier capability assessments, manufacturing evaluations, and technical due diligence activities
• Support make-versus-buy analyses by providing technical, quality, and manufacturing assessments
• Identify and drive opportunities to improve supplier performance, supply risk, and supplier controls

Supplier Qualification & Enablement

• Lead supplier qualification activities including process assessments, manufacturing readiness evaluations, and technical reviews.
• Support complex supplier programs including large qualifications, supplier expansion activities, and supplier capability growth efforts
• Lead supplier stabilization and monitoring activities for new suppliers, outsourced processes, or developing supply chains
• Support Strategic Procurement on:

• Category strategy and diversification efforts
• New supplier identification, qualification, and development initiatives
• Supply risk reduction initiatives and inspection programs
• Evaluation of outsource programs

Supply Risk Reduction

• Assess supplier capability, capacity, scalability, and operational risks that could impact supply continuity
• Support supplier segmentation and risk stratification activities
• Participate in subtier supplier assessments and mitigation efforts when appropriate
• Drive technical risk reduction activities for critical suppliers and supply chain initiatives
• Support development of long-term supply continuity and supplier resiliency strategies

Technical Leadership

• Lead complex, cross-functional supplier development programs from definition through implementation, including scope, milestones, resources, dependencies, risks, and measurable outcomes.
• Manage multiple concurrent supplier initiatives, establish integrated project plans and governance, track commitments and critical-path activities, proactively resolve barriers, and escalate decisions needed to maintain schedule and achieve program objectives.
• Apply engineering and quality tools to identify sources of process variation and opportunities for improvement such as supplier kaizens.
• Lead complex root cause investigations and corrective action efforts involving suppliers.
• Mentor Supplier Quality Engineers and cross-functional team members on supplier quality, process capability, and supplier development methodologies.
• Lead internal and supplier cross-functional teams through influence, align stakeholders on priorities and accountabilities, and drive timely decisions across Procurement, Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, and Quality organizations.

Cross-Functional Partnership

• Collaborate closely with Strategic Procurement, Manufacturing Engineering, R&D, Operations, and Quality teams.
• Support new product introductions, supplier transfers, second-source qualifications, and supplier improvement projects.
• Provide concise program updates to leadership and project teams, clearly communicating supplier performance, schedule status, risks, dependencies, decisions, and recovery plans.

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