Lead Supplier Development Engineer

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

The Supplier Development Engineer will provide subject matter expertise to increase the capability of our high-risk, critical, and strategic suppliers, improving cost, quality, and timeliness of delivered products to Coherent. Under limited supervision, you will be responsible for completing technical analytical assessments and reports to identify supplier quality and performance issues within current supply base as well as evaluation of potential future suppliers.

Evaluate manufacturing producibility onsite at our most critical suppliers, improving overall supplier capability by driving drawing and process changes which enhance performance and reduce cost. SDE will be accountable for expected supplier performance improvement through creation and management of formal Supplier Development Plans. The SDE will also work closely with strategic sourcing and procurement as well as Coherent business unit’s Engineering and Manufacturing organizations and support the development and implementation of informational processes and channels of communication.

• Complete technical supplier assessment, identify actions and develop plans to improve suppliers’ manufacturing capability for machinery, tooling and processes, quality, workforce, capacity, continuous improvement and sub-tier management.
• Review and develop supplier capacity analysis and tools.
• Create and manage supplier specific development plans to completion.
• Deploy risk mitigation plans and be accountable for decreasing supplier risk.
• Facilitate and champion continuous improvement events and initiatives.
• Review engineering designs as related to a specific supplier’s capabilities and facilitates producibility and design to cost changes.
• Advise stakeholders on new product introduction designs for producibility and design to cost.
• Investigate problem jobs and implement solutions to improve product quality, recovering expenses incurred by Coherent that are the responsibility of the supplier.
• Conduct presentations to internal and external supplier senior business unit leadership.
• This position may act as an informal lead as well as mentor less-experienced team members.

• Bachelor’s Degree; engineering, business or quality discipline.
• 7+ years of related field operations/Supply Chain experience on manufacturing products, controls, and systems.
• Lean Six Sigma Green belt certification preferred.
• Ability to travel up to 25%.

• Project Management – Ability to organize cross function personnel into a focused group with specific action item requirements and timeliness of execution of these actions to drive to a successful conclusion of the project meeting goals and expectations.
• Problem Solving – Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner. Gathers and analyzes information skillfully. Develop alternative solutions. Works well in group problem solving situations. Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
• Analytical – Synthesizes complex and diverse information. Collects and researches data. Uses intuition and experience to complement data findings.
• Teamwork – Exhibits objectivity and openness to other’s views. Able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives. Supports everyone’s efforts to succeed.
• Customer Service – Manages difficult or emotional customer situations. Responds promptly to customer needs. Solicits customer feedback to improve service. Responds to requests for service and assistance. Meets commitments.
• Interpersonal – Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming. Listens to others without interrupting. Keeps emotions under control. Remains open to others’ ideas and tries new things.
• Cost Consciousness – Develops and implements cost saving measures. Contributes to profits and revenue. Conserves organizational resources.
• Judgment – Displays willingness to make decisions. Exhibits sound and accurate judgment. Supports and explains reasoning for decisions. Includes appropriate people in decision-making process. Makes timely decisions.
• Planning/Organizing – Prioritizes and plans work activities. Uses time efficiently. Sets goals and objectives. Develops realistic action plans.
• Qualit…