Supplier Development Engineer

Aston Carter • Chillicothe, IL

5d • $50 - $53 • Onsite

About The Position

The Supplier Development Engineer provides technical expertise and leadership to a global supply base, helping suppliers implement robust quality plans, strict process controls, and continuous improvement. The role evaluates, develops, and supports new and existing suppliers to improve Quality, Cost, Logistics, Delivery, and Management (QCLDM) performance and ensure compliance with corporate certification requirements and customer expectations. The engineer serves as a trusted advisor to suppliers from design concept through end of product life, strengthening supplier quality and process capability.

The position leads and supports supplier audits, selection, certification, production readiness, APQP, PPAP, process control, corrective action, and supplier performance management. It collaborates with suppliers and internal engineering, quality, procurement, buyer, and category teams to resolve quality and delivery issues, improve cost and throughput, support product and process development, and achieve continuous improvement. The role involves regular travel to supplier sites and work with manufacturing operations, production floors, process lines, and quality laboratories. It is based onsite in Chillicothe, Illinois, and typically follows standard business hours, with flexibility to support global suppliers and time-sensitive issues. Appropriate safety-compliant clothing and personal protective equipment may be required at manufacturing and shop-floor locations. This is a contract position with pay of $50.00–$53.00 per hour.

Requirements

• At least 7 years of experience in supplier management, supplier quality, or a closely related engineering or manufacturing role.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience; engineering is preferred.
• Engineering or manufacturing experience, including familiarity with manufacturing processes used to produce components and assemblies.
• Knowledge of shop operations and maintenance procedures.
• Demonstrated supplier management and supplier quality experience.
• Strong problem-solving skills, including root cause analysis and implementation of permanent corrective actions such as 8D.
• Ability to manage multiple suppliers, projects, and priorities simultaneously.
• Working knowledge and hands-on experience with APQP.
• Experience with PPAP, including documentation review and approval and process-capability validation.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering prints and technical drawings.
• Experience using EtQ or similar systems for PPAP, nonconformance management, process change management, and deviations.
• Ability to prepare and analyze Excel-based reports for supplier performance and quality metrics.
• Familiarity with Power BI or similar data visualization tools.
• Proficiency in statistical process control (SPC) and statistical tools for monitoring and improving processes.
• Ability to use and demonstrate statistical and problem-solving tools in a manufacturing or supplier-quality environment.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to build cooperative relationships with internal teams and suppliers.
• Demonstrated potential for leadership in cross-functional and supplier-facing environments.
• Knowledge of 6 Sigma tools and techniques, typically acquired through Green Belt training or equivalent experience.
• Experience conducting supplier audits, including QMS and QCLDM audits and Supplier Evaluation Surveys.
• Experience reviewing and participating in Process FMEAs and developing or auditing Process Control Plans.
• Ability to travel regularly to supplier sites for audits and assessments.
• Flexibility to support global suppliers and resolve time-sensitive issues.

Nice To Haves

• Quality Engineering certification is highly desirable.
• American Society for Quality (ASQ) quality certification is desired.
• Prior completion of 6 Sigma Green Belt training or equivalent 6 Sigma experience is highly valued.
• Experience supporting MQ11005 certification activities.
• Exposure to Lean manufacturing and Built-In Quality (BIQ) practices at suppliers.
• Experience supporting or leading SPQ projects and Supplier Performance Management (SPM) reviews.
• Experience working with CPPD, NPI, and CPI teams.
• Experience collaborating with buyers, category teams, and engineering on cost reduction, design-to-manufacture, and supplier optimization initiatives.
• Experience working within a diverse global supply network and cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Advise assigned suppliers and lead implementation of robust quality plans and process controls.
• Assess potential and existing suppliers through on-site QCLDM audits and document findings from reference calls and other information sources.
• Participate in supplier and product evaluation, selection, and certification, and assist with supplier certification procedures.
• Drive implementation of Lean, Built-In Quality (BIQ), and Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) across the supply base.
• Review supplier capacity and production readiness, including rigorous review of PPAP submissions.
• Collaborate with suppliers to establish and maintain process control standards and monitor manufacturing processes for improvement opportunities.
• Ensure suppliers have adequate personnel, training, tooling, fixtures, and equipment to meet quality, cost, and delivery requirements.
• Provide technical support during supplier start-up and ongoing strategic support to strengthen supplier capabilities.
• Monitor supplier adherence to Process Change Notification (PCN) requirements and support development of the supply base to meet program requirements.
• Champion QCLDM and align supplier capabilities with qualified supply network strategies.
• Support category strategies, supplier development initiatives, supplier performance management, and technical input to new supplier selection.
• Evaluate and develop new suppliers’ technological capabilities.
• Manage supplier processes from design concept through end of product life, ensuring cradle-to-grave process control and quality performance.
• Ensure suppliers perform APQP process-control activities and meet project plan expectations; review APQP documentation, including Process FMEAs, Process Control Plans, and measurement system studies.
• Audit supplier process-control implementation and effectiveness, validate process capability, and ensure PPAP is completed and approved before new parts are delivered.
• Review, approve, and validate permanent corrective action plans, including 8D plans, for supplier quality issues.
• Perform quality management system audits and Supplier Evaluation Surveys, including assessments of potential suppliers.
• Support SPQ projects and develop supplier quality metrics and Supplier Performance Management (SPM) reviews.
• Support MQ11005 certification activities and collaborate with suppliers on 6 Sigma initiatives to reduce waste and improve process capability and efficiency.
• Maintain knowledge of technological developments and trends to guide commodity teams in design, quality, and manufacturing improvements.
• Resolve quality problems involving purchased materials, logistics, and engineering, and ensure robust corrective actions are implemented.
• Maintain high ethical and professional standards when working with a diverse global supply base and internal stakeholders.
• Collaborate with buyers and category teams to improve supplier cost, quality, and throughput.
• Manage individual assignments and coordinate work with team members and other functions.
• Participate in supplier metric development and support monthly collection, analysis, and distribution of performance measurements.
• Resolve issues between suppliers and plants, suppliers and engineering personnel, and among facilities to ensure alignment and continuity of supply.
• Coordinate with engineering on CPPD, NPI, and CPI activities; support design-to-production, engineering changes and deviations, supplier design reviews, specification approvals, and cost-reduction goals.
• Participate in FMEA activities for supplier manufacturing processes.
• Use statistical and problem-solving tools to analyze supplier performance data and support data-based decisions.
• Document and follow up on supplier evaluation results using predefined criteria and standardized tools.

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Critical illness, accident, and hospital coverage
• 401(k) retirement plan with pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions
• Voluntary life and AD&D insurance for employees and dependents
• Short- and long-term disability coverage
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time off or leave, including PTO, vacation, or sick leave, subject to eligibility and applicable terms

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Senior