Senior SPM Engineer

Volvo Car Corporation • Ridgeville, SC

9d

About The Position

The Senior Supplier Performance Management Engineer secures supplier readiness and stable performance from sourcing through launch and serial production. This role is the senior technical and operational lead for interior components and injection-molded parts, combining manufacturing knowledge, automotive quality core tools, launch execution, and supplier escalation leadership. The position leads cross-functional recovery activities and influences internal and external stakeholders without relying on direct reporting authority.

The role owns supplier performance across quality, delivery, capacity, launch readiness, cost, and continuous improvement. It provides technical expertise in interior parts, injection molding, and related secondary manufacturing processes, and leads supplier execution of automotive quality and launch activities. The position also mentors less-experienced Supplier Performance Managers and supports sourcing and supplier performance strategies in partnership with Global Category teams.

The successful candidate will have a technical university degree or equivalent, at least seven years of relevant automotive experience, demonstrated experience with automotive interior parts and injection molding, and practical experience launching components, manufacturing processes, production lines, or vehicle programs. Domestic and international travel may be required based on supplier and business needs.

Requirements

• Technical university degree in engineering, manufacturing, quality, materials, plastics, mechanical engineering, or equivalent.
• Minimum 7 years of relevant automotive experience in supplier quality, supplier development, manufacturing engineering, launch management, process development, or quality engineering.
• Demonstrated experience with automotive interior parts and injection-molding processes.
• Practical experience launching new components, manufacturing processes, production lines, or vehicle programs.
• Advanced applied knowledge of APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, Control Plan, MSA, SPC, process capability, 8D, Run at Rate, and capacity verification.
• Proven ability to lead supplier escalations and influence cross-functional teams without direct authority.
• Strong analytical, planning, communication, presentation, and stakeholder-management skills.
• Fluent written and spoken English.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally based on supplier and business needs.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Responsibilities

• Mentor, coach, and develop less-experienced Supplier Performance Managers through continuous feedback and technical guidance.
• Own supplier performance for quality, delivery, capacity, launch readiness, cost, and continuous improvement.
• Identify risks early and drive mitigation, recovery, escalation, and accountability plans.
• Partner with Global Category teams to support sourcing and supplier performance strategies.
• Conduct supplier assessments, audits, performance reviews, and sourcing evaluations using a risk-based approach.
• Drive sustainable corrective actions and verify their effectiveness before closure.
• Lead supplier cost-saving initiatives and continuous improvement activities.
• Serve as the senior technical expert for interior parts, injection molding, and related secondary manufacturing processes.
• Evaluate molding processes, tooling, materials, dimensional capability, appearance standards, and manufacturing stability.
• Challenge suppliers to identify true root causes and implement robust preventive controls.
• Lead supplier execution of APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, Control Plans, MSA, SPC, capability studies, Run-at-Rate, and capacity verification activities.
• Ensure traceability between requirements, special characteristics, risks, controls, and reaction plans while driving SEMAT and VQE activities.
• Lead structured problem-solving using 8D and other root-cause methodologies.
• Drive supplier readiness for new product launches, process changes, capacity increases, and vehicle programs through stable serial production.
• Lead complex supplier escalations and cross-functional recovery efforts, including supplier task forces, war rooms, on-site support, and executive reviews.

Benefits

• Competitive medical, dental, and vision plans.
• Tax-advantaged savings accounts.
• Wellness program with discounts and gifts.
• Voluntary benefits.
• Retirement savings plan with employer contributions.
• Global paid parental leave policy, including for adoptive, permanent care foster, and surrogate parents.
• Discounted new Volvo leases through the Volvo Employee Lease Program.

What This Job Offers

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