Principal Specialist, Supplier Performance (Remote)

RTX • US-IL-REMOTE, IL

9d • $86,800 - $165,200 • Remote

About The Position

As a Principal Specialist, Supplier Performance, you will work in a forward-deployed role within the Global Supplier Development organization, driving supplier recovery, capability improvement, and sustainable performance. The hands-on, cross-functional role supports operational containment, supplier assessments, and structured improvement plans across global commodities. You will manage crisis situations and long-term development actions aligned with business unit goals and enterprise-wide initiatives, working with Commodity Managers, Quality Assurance and Engineering, Operations and Planning, Supplier Business Units, supplier site leadership, Crisis Response, and Tiger Teams. This is a remote role, with travel up to 50%.

Requirements

• Typically, 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.
• U.S. citizenship is required because only U.S. citizens are authorized to access information under this program/contract.

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 across Collins Aerospace business units.
• Experience applying CORE principles and tools to manage processes, drive continuous improvement, 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 kick-off 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) and evaluate progress toward exit criteria 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 based on 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 plans, KPI tracking, and gate reviews.
• Monitor progress toward target maturity levels and initiate sustainment planning after development objectives are met.
• Support long-term monitoring and re-engagement cycles to maintain stable supplier performance.
• Develop 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 after transitions 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.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Three weeks of vacation for newly hired employees
• 401(k) plan with employer matching and a separate employer retirement contribution
• Tuition reimbursement
• 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
• Fertility and family-planning benefits
• Adoption assistance
• Autism benefit
• Employee Assistance Plan, including up to 10 free counseling sessions
• Wellness rewards program
• Virtual doctor visits
• Child and elder care services
• Second-opinion medical expert program
• Flexible spending accounts
• Flexible work schedules
• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Principal