Supplier Development Program Manager

About the Role

The role works directly with suppliers when quality, delivery performance, or business risk requires robust action plans. It utilizes a broad toolkit—including problem solving, auditing, material management, and load and capacity planning—to lead improvement initiatives. The incumbent supports initial Supplier Site Assessments to evaluate risk for new suppliers before they join the Approved Supplier List, and conducts capability and special process audits to assess advanced quality tools, manufacturing capabilities, material management, and lean maturity. Improvement plans are developed and coordinated against agreed project charters, with milestones tracked and actions completed. Production rate readiness is assessed for suppliers undergoing significant industrial transfers to mitigate supply‑chain disruption. The role also backs cost‑out projects and new‑product introductions, ensuring compliance and timely submission of FAIs or PPAPs, while coaching suppliers in 8D problem solving, APQP, SIOP, and material management. Performance monitoring, expectation setting, and accountability enforcement are ongoing, and the position acts as a liaison between suppliers and internal functions such as Engineering, Quality, and Operations. Special programs are administered to recognize suppliers meeting standards of quality, reliability, and price, and the individual works with the Global Procurement Organization to develop additional suppliers for resiliency and multi‑sourcing. Lead quality responsibilities include overseeing supplier quality metrics, capacity assessments, and onboarding activities. • Lead supplier quality and delivery improvement actions using problem solving, auditing, material management, and capacity planning. • Conduct Supplier Site Assessments and capability audits, including special process audits. • Develop and track improvement plans aligned with project charters. • Assess production rate readiness for industrial transfers and mitigate supply chain risks. • Support cost‑out initiatives and new product introductions, coordinating timely FAI/PPAP submissions. • Coach suppliers on 8D, APQP, SIOP, and material management processes. • Monitor supplier performance, set expectations, and drive accountability. • Serve as liaison between suppliers and internal functions (Engineering, Quality, Operations). • Administer programs recognizing high‑performing suppliers and manage multi‑sourcing strategies. • Perform supplier capacity assessments to ensure readiness for growth. • Participate in new product development teams as a quality representative.

Key Responsibilities

• ▸auditing
• ▸capacity planning
• ▸fai/ppap
• ▸supplier assessment
• ▸performance monitoring
• ▸supplier liaison

What You Bring

Candidates must have at least five years of experience in supply chain, operations, engineering, or quality, a bachelor’s degree in engineering, supply chain, or a related field, and at least one year of experience developing and onboarding new suppliers. Required qualifications include familiarity with ISO 9001:2015/14001:2015, APQP, FMEA, Control Plan, MSA, and PPAP, as well as Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma Green Belt/Black Belt certification; PMP accreditation is a plus. The role requires up to 30 % travel, residency within 50 miles of Raleigh, NC or Richmond, VA, and legal authorization to work in the United States without sponsorship. • Minimum five years experience in supply chain, operations, engineering, or quality. • Bachelor’s degree in engineering, supply chain, or related discipline. • At least one year experience developing and onboarding new suppliers. • Experience with ISO 9001:2015/14001:2015, APQP, FMEA, Control Plan, MSA, and PPAP. • Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma Green Belt/Black Belt certification. • Project Management Institute (PMI) accreditation (PMP) or equivalent preferred. • Ability to travel up to 30 % and reside within 50 mi of Raleigh, NC or Richmond, VA. • Authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Requirements

• ▸5+ yrs
• ▸bachelor's
• ▸supplier onboarding
• ▸iso 9001
• ▸six sigma
• ▸pmp

Work Environment

Office Full-Time