Manager, Supplier Development

RHINESTAHL CORPORATION•Mason, OH

8d•Onsite

About The Position

RH Aero Systems is hiring a Supplier Development Manager to strengthen its supplier network for aerospace tooling and Ground Support Equipment components. The role focuses on identifying, qualifying, categorizing, and developing suppliers, while improving their long-term capability and performance in areas including machining, fabrication, assembly, and special processes such as non-destructive testing, coatings, and heat treatment. The position may involve working directly at supplier sites to address urgent challenges and resolve root causes. The manager works with Strategic Sourcing, regional supply chain operations, program-level resources, Supplier Quality Engineers, and Sourcing Specialists to develop regional and global supplier strategies. The role connects regional priorities with global supplier development efforts and supports supplier capability and capacity planning for business growth and program ramp-ups. The position is based in Mason, Ohio, and requires availability to travel domestically and internationally to supplier locations up to 40% of the time. Candidates must be U.S. citizens to meet eligibility criteria.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Aerospace, or Industrial Engineering, or Supply Chain Management.
Minimum 5–7 years of experience in supplier quality, manufacturing engineering, or supplier development within the aerospace or precision engineering sector.
Proven experience conducting supplier audits and supporting supplier development programs.
Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, bills of materials (BOMs), and technical drawings.
Proven track record of developing suppliers for machined or fabricated components.
Experience with Lean/Six Sigma methodologies.
Strong communication and negotiation skills, with a proactive approach to multicultural supplier networks.
Fluency in spoken and written English.
Basic understanding of international law, supplier development, and risk management.
Technical knowledge of machining, welding, and assembly processes.
Analytical problem-solving and process-improvement skills.
Strong project management skills and ability to lead across functions.
Willingness and availability to travel to supplier locations domestically and internationally, up to 40% of the time.
Customer-focused, results-driven approach.
Must be a U.S. citizen to meet the eligibility criteria for the position.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with tooling, fixtures, or Ground Support Equipment for aircraft engines.
Additional language skills.

Responsibilities

Identify, evaluate, categorize, and qualify suppliers for tooling, precision machining, fabrication, and assembly in line with regional strategy and global standards.
Assess supplier capabilities, conduct process audits and technical reviews, and ensure alignment with aerospace standards.
Drive supplier onboarding in accordance with company and OEM procedures.
Partner with operational purchasing and strategic sourcing teams on demand planning and supplier management initiatives.
Lead First Article Inspection activities and ensure robust process validation.
Help create and maintain supplier contracts, including framework agreements, LTAs, QAAs, MOUs, and LOIs.
Contribute to improvements in supplier development and management processes and methods.
Support the introduction of AI and continued digitalization of purchasing processes.
Monitor supplier KPIs for quality, cost, delivery, responsiveness, and sustained capability; drive continuous improvement initiatives.
Implement supplier scorecards and establish regular business reviews.
Work with suppliers on root-cause analysis and corrective actions for quality and delivery issues.
Develop supplier improvement roadmaps to strengthen process capability, quality system maturity, and lean manufacturing.
Collaborate with internal Supply Chain stakeholders on make-versus-buy decisions and sourcing strategies.
Provide technical input during supplier selection and contract negotiations.
Support cost-reduction initiatives through supplier process optimization and value engineering.
Build working relationships with key suppliers and serve as a technical and operational liaison.
Support supplier capacity planning for business growth and program ramp-ups.
Partner with Supplier Quality Engineers and Sourcing Specialists to align supplier capabilities with future tooling technology needs.
Ensure suppliers comply with required standards.
Help develop global supplier development processes and standards, and support supplier training and certification programs.
Travel to supplier locations domestically and internationally as required, up to 40% of the time.