Principal Specialist, Supplier Performance (Remote)

RTX•Pittsburg Landing, TN

1d•$86,800 - $165,200•Remote

About The Position

The Principal Specialist, Supplier Performance is a hands-on, cross-functional role within Collins Aerospace’s Global Supplier Development organization. The role drives supplier recovery, capability improvement, and sustainable performance across global commodities. It supports operational containment, supplier assessments, and structured improvement plans, balancing crisis response with long-term development aligned to business unit goals and enterprise initiatives. The position interfaces with Commodity Managers, Quality Assurance and Engineering, Operations and Planning, Supplier Business Units, supplier site leadership, Crisis Response, and Tiger Teams. The role leads supplier development and performance efforts from containment and root-cause resolution through capability development, transition, and sustainment. Work includes assessing supplier operational capability and risk, setting development roadmaps and maturity goals, tracking KPIs, supporting new product launches and work transitions, and establishing manufacturing process technology tools and standards. The position is remote, with travel up to 50%; employees may be expected to travel to a site as needed, and some onsite presence may be discussed for employees near a Collins site.

Requirements

Typically requires a university degree and a minimum of 5 years of prior relevant experience, or an advanced degree in a related field and a minimum of 3 years of experience.

Nice To Haves

Background or experience in Operations, Supplier Development, and/or Project Management.
Experience in the aerospace industry or a similar manufacturing environment.
Lean, Six Sigma, and/or Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA) experience.
Experience working with cross-functional personnel and developing relationships with various Collins Aerospace business units.
Experience applying CORE principles and tools to manage processes, continuously improve systems, and benchmark best practices to enhance customer satisfaction.
Experience in machining or mechanical fabrication.

Responsibilities

Lead internal and supplier containment actions in collaboration with Operations and Quality.
Facilitate supplier kickoff meetings to align expectations and establish rapid response actions.
Conduct Root Cause and Corrective Action (RCCA) investigations to resolve critical quality or delivery issues.
Coordinate with stakeholders to develop and implement improvement plans, communicating progress through plan review checkpoints.
Monitor leading and lagging Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to assess progress.
Evaluate whether exit criteria have been achieved for containment efforts.
Escalate persistent issues to crisis mode or tiger teams when warranted.
Partner with Commodity Teams and Supplier Business Units to ensure closed-loop feedback and transition to sustainable operations.
Identify supplier sites and prioritize development efforts according to risk, impact, and strategic commodity needs.
Conduct supplier assessments using the OCRA (Operational Capability & Risk Assessment) tool.
Engage suppliers with development roadmaps, training, and targeted actions tied to maturity models and long-term growth.
Align with Commodity Managers and Engineering teams on supplier readiness for new programs or volume ramp-ups.
Facilitate structured improvement plan development, KPI tracking, and gate reviews.
Monitor progress toward target maturity levels and initiate sustainment planning once development objectives are met.
Support long-term monitoring and re-engagement cycles to help maintain stable supplier performance.
Develop and build manufacturing process technology tools and standardization, including FMEA and Control Plans.
Lead or support supplier transitions, ensuring smooth handover of work scope with minimal disruption.
Support the sustainment phase by monitoring supplier maturity post-transition and ensuring long-term capability.
Align with internal business units and suppliers to reinforce performance expectations and continuous improvement.
Execute APQP for new product launch and work transition projects.
Travel up to 50%.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
Three weeks of vacation for newly hired employees.
401(k) plan with employer matching funds and a separate employer retirement contribution, including a Lifetime Income Strategy option.
Tuition reimbursement program.
Student Loan Repayment Program.
Life insurance and disability coverage.
Optional pet, home and auto, additional life and accident, critical illness, group legal, and identity theft protection coverages.
Birth, adoption, and parental leave benefits.
Ovia Health fertility and family planning services.
Adoption Assistance.
Autism Benefit.
Employee Assistance Plan, including up to 10 free counseling sessions.
Healthy You Incentives wellness rewards program.
Doctor on Demand virtual doctor visits.
Bright Horizons child and elder care services.
Teladoc Medical Experts second opinion program.
Flexible spending accounts.
Flexible work schedules.
Employee Scholar Program.
Paid time off and holidays.
Annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs may be available depending on position level and collective bargaining coverage; payments are not guaranteed.