Regional Supplier Development Lead

Role Summary:

The Regional Supplier Development Lead encompasses the same responsibilities as a Supplier Development Engineer, with additional responsibility for leading the regional team. Responsibilities include improving supplier performance, capability, and competitiveness to support the company’s operational, quality, cost, and sustainability objectives. This role works cross-functionally with Procurement, Quality and Engineering to drive continuous improvement, risk mitigation, and long-term supplier partnerships. Additional responsibilities include providing supplier development related activities in support of assigned Category Management/Divisional team initiatives

​ ​The overall focus of the role is on leading the team, managing assignments and the completion of activities related to the development and qualification of a key suppliers capability and/or capacity in relation to strategic initiatives.

Most likely, the activity will be ​proactive in nature however may periodically the role may be required to provide subject matter expertise and resource to reactive actions such as critical root-cause corrective actions.

Responsibilities:

• ​Coordinate assignments for the team based on inputs from the Supplier Managers and other stakeholders

• Ensure open two-way communication between the Supplier Development Engineers and associated stakeholders

• Lead supplier development initiatives to improve quality, delivery, cost, capacity, certifications, process development and compliance

• Identify underperforming suppliers and create structured improvement plans with clear KPIs

• Conduct supplier assessments, audits, and capability evaluations and first article samples for new supplier approvals and onboarding.

• Drive continuous improvement using Lean, Six Sigma, or similar methodologies

• Act as a key escalation point for supplier performance issues

• Build strong, collaborative relationships with strategic and critical suppliers

• Support supplier onboarding, qualification, and development programs

• Partner with Procurement to support sourcing strategies and supplier segmentation

• Support Product Development Lifecycle (PDP), supplier readiness activities, globalization & localization type projects

• Identify and mitigate supplier-related risks (quality, supply continuity, financial, regulatory)

• Ensure suppliers meet company standards, regulatory requirements, and sustainability goals

• Support business continuity and supply chain resilience planning

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, or a related field

• 10+ years of experience in supplier development, supplier quality, procurement, or manufacturing

• Experience in leading a team or with demonstrated leadership skills

• Strong knowledge of supplier performance management and continuous improvement

• Experience conducting supplier audits and improvement projects

• Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills

• Experience with Lean, Six Sigma (Green Belt or Black Belt preferred)

• Familiarity with ISO standards, quality systems, or regulatory environments

• Experience in manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, electronics, or industrial sectors

• Ability to travel to supplier sites as required