Supplier Development & Assessment Engineer (SDE)
Job Overview :
The Supplier Development & Assessment Engineer (SDE) will be responsible for evaluating and improving supplier capabilities to meet the technical, quality, and delivery requirements of new work packages. This role involves on-site supplier assessments, capacity and facility evaluations, supply chain analysis, and the formulation of detailed reports with recommended corrective actions. The SDE will also oversee the implementation of improvement plans to ensure project success and timely delivery.
Key Responsibilities :
Supplier Assessment & Development :
- Conduct on-site visits to assess supplier capacity, facilities, processes, supply chain efficiency, and overall ability to fulfill work package requirements.
- Evaluate supplier capabilities in manufacturing, quality management, logistics, and compliance with aerospace standards.
- Identify risks, gaps, and constraints that could impact project timelines and propose mitigation strategies.
Performance Monitoring & Reporting :
Develop comprehensive supplier assessment reports detailing findings, risks, and improvement recommendations.Monitor supplier progress against key milestones and contractual obligations.Establish Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to measure supplier performance and ensure continuous improvement.Corrective Action & Process Improvement :
Develop and implement corrective action plans to address identified deficiencies in supplier performance.Work closely with suppliers to enhance their production planning, sales, inventory, and operations planning (SIOP).Provide technical guidance and Lean / continuous improvement methodologies to optimize supplier performance.Project Management & Stakeholder Collaboration :
Act as the primary liaison between suppliers and internal engineering, procurement, and quality teams.Facilitate cross-functional collaboration to resolve supplier-related issues and improve production efficiency.Coordinate logistics, expedited activities, and special processes to meet delivery deadlines.Qualifications & Requirements :
Education : Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain Management, or a related field.Experience : Minimum 10 years of experience in supplier development, procurement, quality engineering, or supply chain management, preferably in the aerospace industry .Technical Expertise :Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, aerospace quality standards (AS9100, ISO 9001), and regulatory compliance .Experience with Root Cause & Corrective Action (RCCA) and risk mitigation techniques.Proficiency in Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and Continuous Improvement methodologies .Project Management : Ability to lead supplier improvement initiatives and manage multiple projects simultaneously.Communication & Leadership : Excellent communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills to drive supplier engagement and performance improvement.Travel : Willingness to travel frequently to supplier locations for assessments and implementation of corrective actions.Preferred Qualifications :
Experience with New Product Introduction (NPI) and supplier qualification processes.Knowledge of supply chain digital tools (ERP, MRP, SAP) and production planning.Certifications in Lean, Six Sigma (Green Belt / Black Belt), or Supplier Quality Auditing are a plus.
