Manager, Supplier Development

Job Summary

Leads a team of supplier development engineers responsible for developing and executing supplier strategies that support product development, supplier quality, new product introductions (NPI), and scalable manufacturing in the high-tech industry. This role combines people leadership with deep technical and operational oversight, ensuring the supplier base is capable, compliant, and strategically aligned with business goals. The Supplier Development Manager partners cross-functionally with Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, Quality Assurance to align sourcing execution with technical requirements, cost objectives, and risk management practices. This leader drives performance, team development, and supplier accountability in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

________________________________________

Key Responsibilities

● Lead, coach, and develop a team of supplier development engineers across multiple commodity areas, ensuring effective execution of supplier evaluation, qualification, and issue resolution (RCA) activities.

● Define and support sourcing engineering strategies in alignment with business priorities, technical roadmaps, and supply chain goals.

● Establish and maintain supplier performance metrics, qualification standards, and auditing procedures to ensure compliance and risk mitigation.

● Collaborate with Engineering, Production, Quality Assurance, and NPI teams to ensure timely supplier engagement during early design phases.

● Oversee technical supplier escalations, drive corrective action plans, and ensure high-performance outcomes across quality, cost, and delivery.

● Partner with global sourcing and category leaders to drive supplier consolidation, innovation, and strategic partnerships.

● Support career development, coaching, and technical skill-building for team members.

● Contribute to strategic planning, budgeting, and capacity decisions at the functional and program levels.

_______________________________________

Core Competencies

● Execution: 

○ Analyzes and prioritizes the varying aspects of the role, knows and/or follows the most effective and efficient processes to get things done, and consistently achieves results, even under tough circumstances.

● Collaboration: 

○ Builds partnerships and works collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives through effective communication that understands the unique needs of different audiences.

● Innovation: 

○ Creates new and better ways for the organization to be successful, anticipates and adopts innovations in business, operations, and technology applications.

● Adaptability: 

○ Adapts and pivots in real time to match the shifting demands of different situations, and moves forward productively and optimistically under conditions of change and ambiguity.

________________________________________

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

● Deep technical knowledge of sourcing, supplier quality, supplier development, and manufacturing processes for electronics, electro-mechanical, and mechanical components in a high tech environment.

● Proven ability to lead technical teams and manage cross-functional supplier engagements across engineering, operations, and supply chain.

● Experience with global supplier qualification, quality systems (e.g., ISO, IATF), and regulatory compliance (e.g., RoHS, REACH).

● Strong organizational and strategic planning skills, including resource management, risk mitigation, and performance tracking.

● Excellent communication, conflict resolution, and negotiation skills with both internal teams and external suppliers.

● Ability to lead through ambiguity, motivate diverse teams, and drive results in a matrixed environment.

________________________________________

Typical Qualifications

● Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, or related technical discipline; Master’s degree preferred.

● 8+ years of experience in sourcing engineering, supplier quality, or manufacturing engineering roles in the high-tech industry.

● 2–4 years of experience leading teams or cro