Sr. Manager, Supplier Development & Readiness

Carrier•Charlotte, NC

5d•Onsite

About The Position

Leads the enterprise Supplier Development & Readiness function with direct accountability for supplier capability improvement, operational readiness, recovery execution, and capacity validation. This role ensures suppliers are capable, resilient, and prepared to meet current and future business needs. The Sr. Manager owns the supplier transformation operating model, oversees readiness for new programs and volume ramps, and leads recovery for at‑risk or strategically important suppliers.

Requirements

Bachelors degree
8+ years of experience in Supplier Development, Manufacturing, Operations, Supplier Quality, or Industrial/Manufacturing Engineering
5+ years of experience conducting capacity audits, operational readiness assessments, and hands-on process improvement
5+ years of experience in people leadership
Ability to travel up to 25% of the time

Nice To Haves

Proven track record leading suppliers through transformational change and crisis stabilization
Comfortable working on-site at suppliers, including hands-on shop‑floor engagement.
Engineering degree preferred (Industrial, Manufacturing, Mechanical, or Systems)
Experience with Lean, Six Sigma, PFMEA, and Operations Excellence tools is an advantage

Responsibilities

Lead and prioritize Supplier Development engagements for critical, strategic, and at‑risk suppliers, ensuring rapid stabilization and capability uplift.
Validate real vs. stated capacity, production allocation, staffing, tooling, and process capability.
Drive and oversee structured root cause analysis (RCA) and ensure disciplined execution of recovery and improvement plans.
Govern readiness milestones and exit criteria for supplier transitions back to stable execution.
Oversee on-site execution of capacity expansion, process improvements, throughput optimization, and cycle-time reduction initiatives.
Champion operational excellence using Lean, Six Sigma, and advanced manufacturing practices across the supply base.
Enable and support dual sourcing, localization, footprint shifts, and lead-time reduction strategies.
Ensure suppliers develop sustainable systems, standard work, and controls that prevent recurrence of issues.
Define readiness criteria and governance for supplier readiness across: New product introductions (NPI), Technology transitions, Volume ramps and SIOP-driven growth cycles.
Partner with SIOP, Strategic Sourcing, Engineering, Quality, and Supplier Capacity/Performance teams to align readiness actions with supply strategy and demand signals.
Act as the enterprise escalation owner for critical supplier readiness risks.
Influence sourcing strategies, capital investment decisions, and supplier selection through readiness insights.
Represent Supplier Development & Readiness in executive reviews, risk forums, and program governance meetings.
Ensure alignment between Supplier Development activities and the Supplier Capacity & Performance organization for end-to-end supplier health.
Lead, coach, and develop Supplier Development Engineers.
Build technical and leadership capability in root cause analysis, process optimization, change management, and capability assessment.
Foster a culture of accountability, hands-on engagement, and fact-based decision-making.