Senior Supplier Development Engineer in Dayton

Sr. Supplier Development Engineer

Location:

Dayton, OH

Our client is seeking an experienced Sr. Supplier Development Engineer. In this role, you will manage complex supplier relationships and have responsibility for driving process improvements at the supplier level. You will lead initiatives to ensure suppliers meet product specifications, quality standards, and delivery schedules, while working closely with cross‑functional teams to resolve technical issues. You will be responsible for managing supplier readiness, leading PFMEA activities, and implementing corrective actions to optimize supplier performance.

Supplier Relationship Management:

• Manage relationships with key suppliers, ensuring alignment with customer specifications and industry standards.
• Lead discussions with suppliers on improving product quality, delivery performance, and cost management.
• Address complex supplier issues, driving root cause analysis and corrective action implementation in collaboration with suppliers.

Supply Chain Support:

• Identify and qualify new manufacturing sources of supply for difficult to procure components.
• Serve as the technical liaison between design engineering and suppliers to relay manufacturing requirements and request quotes from potential vendors.

Advanced Process Improvement & Optimization:

• Analyze part production processes, schedules, and methods to optimize future requirements and improve supplier efficiency.
• Lead initiatives to implement process changes that improve supplier performance and reduce defects.
• Drive improvements in supplier manufacturing processes using Lean, Six Sigma, and other advanced manufacturing techniques.

Risk Assessment & Process Control:

• Support Process Flow Development and Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (PFMEA) by providing data and assisting in identifying risks related to design and manufacturing processes.
• Develop and implement strategies to mitigate risks and enhance supplier capabilities.
• Collaborate with suppliers to address performance gaps, reduce defects, and implement preventive measures.

Quality Control & Supplier Audits:

• Conduct regular supplier audits to assess compliance with quality, cost, and delivery requirements.
• Develop plans for review of incoming materials, products, and production processes to ensure supplier adherence to quality standards.
• Lead corrective action initiatives in response to audit findings, ensuring continuous supplier improvement.

Documentation & Reporting:

• Prepare detailed technical documentation, including audit reports, defect analyses, and corrective action plans.
• Provide accurate, actionable insights to senior leadership through clear and concise reports and presentations.

Collaboration & Cross-Functional Leadership:

• Collaborate with internal teams, such as engineering and project management, to resolve supplier-related technical challenges.
• Provide technical guidance to internal teams and suppliers to ensure product quality and manufacturing efficiency.
• Lead cross-functional teams in supplier-related projects to drive continuous improvement in performance.

Mentorship & Team Development:

• Mentor junior staff and provide guidance on quality control, supplier management, and process improvement.
• Assist in training suppliers and internal teams on advanced manufacturing technologies, quality standards, and best practices.

• Education:
  
  Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, or related technical field.
• Experience:
  
  5+ years of experience in supplier development, quality engineering, or a related field.

• Expertise in DFMEA, PFMEA, and quality control processes.
• Strong project management and cross-functional team leadership abilities.
• Proficient in data analysis (e.g., statistical process control) and process improvement methodologies (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma).