Supplier Development Engineer - Strategic Sourcing; Hybrid Office

AFL manufactures industry-leading fiber optic cable, connectivity and accessories and provides engineering and installation services for some of the largest telecom customers in the world. Our company was founded in 1984 with a single fiber optic cable and today, we manufacture thousands of products, generate an excess of $4B in revenue, and employ approximately 12,000 associates worldwide. At AFL, we recognize that our employees are our greatest asset.

We hire and train each individual, investing in them to ensure success in their careers. With a commitment to professional development and growth, let us connect you to your next career opportunity.

• A hybrid in office schedule for qualifying employees
• Flexible time off policy
• 401K Company match (up to 4% - dollar for dollar)
• Professional development, training, and tuition reimbursement programs
• Excellent medical, dental, vision, and life insurance policy options
• Opportunities for career advancement with an industry leading company!

We are seeking a Supplier Development Engineer – Strategic Sourcing to join our Supply Chain team in Duncan, SC. The Supplier Development Engineer – Strategic Sourcing is a key member of AFL's Supplier Development team, working alongside Engineering, Operations, Program Management, Product Line Management, Quality, and global suppliers to help bring new products to market, strengthen supplier capabilities, and support operational excellence across the supply chain.

In this role, you'll help drive supplier readiness, manufacturing capability assessments, RFQ execution, supplier implementation, and sourcing activities supporting both New Product Development (NPD) and production programs. By combining technical understanding with commercial analysis, you'll contribute to informed sourcing decisions, supplier performance, cost competitiveness, and long-term supply chain resilience.

Success in this role comes from collaboration, and a passion for building strong supplier partnerships. You'll work closely with cross-functional teams and global suppliers while developing technical, commercial, and project management expertise that directly supports successful product launches and long-term business growth.

• Coordinate RFQ activities from supplier release through quotation receipt, commercial evaluation, and sourcing recommendation support.
• Track RFQ and project milestones, proactively engaging suppliers to ensure timely submission of quotations, technical documentation, and required deliverables.
• Collaborate with suppliers and internal stakeholders to resolve technical questions, engineering changes, commercial inquiries, and quotation updates.
• Review supplier quotations for completeness and prepare commercial comparison analysis that support informed sourcing decisions.
• Coordinate supplier onboarding and implementation activities for new and existing suppliers, supporting successful program execution and manufacturing readiness.
• Coordinate supplier readiness activities supporting prototype builds, First Article Inspection (FAI), engineering changes, and new product launches.
• Identify and support supplier cost reduction, value engineering, and continuous improvement initiatives that enhance competitiveness and deliver long-term value to AFL.
• Participate in supplier business reviews, supplier visits, and cross-functional continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen supplier performance and operational excellence.
• Maintain RFQ documentation, supplier records, Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs), and sourcing files in accordance with company procedures.

• Collaborate across Engineering, Operations, Program Management, Product Line Management, Quality, and Supply Chain to support successful execution of New Product Development (NPD), New Product Introduction (NPI), engineering changes, and production programs.
• Coordinate supplier deliverables required to meet project schedules and manufacturing readiness objectives.
• Support the introduction of new manufacturing technologies, supplier capabilities, and process improvements that strengthen…