SUPPLIER DEVELOPMENT ENGINEER

Kalamazoo Fabricating•Kalamazoo, MI

About The Position

The Supplier Development Engineer position is responsible for working with various departmental teams to eliminate waste in production workflow processes, making sure the Quality systems make the best-integrated use of workers, machines, materials, information, and energy. This role is multi-faceted and focuses on shop floor, office workflow, and external suppliers. Focus includes tracking of internal and external quality issues, new part development and tracking, and KPI’s for the purpose of increasing productivity, reducing costs, reducing lead times, and ensuring quality standards are developed and maintained.

Requirements

Dedication to excellence and quality output
BS degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, ISM (Information Systems Management), or equivalent
Five years minimum experience in mechanical, industrial and/or manufacturing engineering environmental or related metal fabrication experience
Strong working knowledge of metalworking, welding shop practices and systems
Good interpersonal and communication skills
Excellent blueprint reading, GD&T, Tolerancing, Properties of Materials, Heat Treating and Foundry know-how
Advanced knowledge of general computer and AutoCAD software usage, directory structures, product and bill of materials structures, manufacturing routings and general knowledge of manufacturing (ERP) software systems

Responsibilities

Lead supplier selection, qualification, and performance evaluations
Manage supplier performance using KPI’s and scorecards
Identify and mitigate supply chain risks including single-source exposure and market volatility
Collaborate with internal and external Engineering operations, and inventory analysis to support existing and new product introductions and production requirements
Drive cost reduction initiatives and value-added engineering initiatives
Develop contingency plans and dual-sourcing strategies to ensure supply continuity
Maintain accurate sourcing documentation, contracts, and supplier agreements
Champion PPAP’s, deviations, ERR’s and tracking. Work with engineering, production, customer service and purchasing
Coordinate and collaborate with vendors for process changes, part changes, drawing changes, quality issues and resolution, job specific requirements and tooling modifications with ROI justification
Production trial runs, work with sales and customer service to identify potential customers to trail usage in the field
Develop flow charts, SOP’s, work instructions, controlled documents and PFMEA’s and Control plans (internal and external)
Work with I.T. and shop floor on incoming receiving inspection and MRB, process in Visual, inventory transactions, and flagging suspect parts for inspection
Conduct meetings for FEA, design reviews, feasibility, and problem solving
Participate in design of fixtures and processes, both in-house and with vendors.