Supplier Development Engineer – Appliance

SSW Advanced Technologies, LLC manufactures engineered components for appliance OEMs. The Supplier Development Engineer strengthens the Appliance Segment’s supply base by qualifying alternate suppliers, reducing supply risk and cost, and improving supplier performance across its plants.

Responsibilities:

• Identify, evaluate, develop and qualify alternate suppliers for critical and single-source purchased components, to reduce supply risk and improve cost
• Maintain a prioritized list of critical components based on supply risk, spend, lead time and customer impact, and recommend and execute sourcing plans
• Conduct on-site audits of supplier capability, capacity, quality systems and processes, and evaluate the financial and operational risk of current and prospective suppliers
• Lead qualification of new sources with Quality and Engineering, including drawing and specification review, first article inspection, PPAP or equivalent approval, capability studies and trial runs
• Work with Engineering, Quality and Sales to obtain OEM customer approval for supplier and component changes where required
• Plan and execute the move of components to new suppliers, including tooling transfers, bank builds, timing and cut-in of approved parts at the plants
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective action (8D) with suppliers on quality, delivery and capacity issues, and track improvement plans to results
• Find savings through competitive quoting, value analysis/value engineering (VA/VE), localization and design-for-manufacturability input, and support should-cost analysis
• Contribute specifications, tolerances and quality requirements to RFQs and supply agreements
• Track and report sourcing project status, savings, supplier scorecard results and risk reduction to supply chain and segment leadership

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Industrial, Manufacturing or Materials Engineering, or a related technical field
• 5+ years of experience in supplier development, supplier quality, manufacturing engineering or sourcing in a manufacturing environment
• Hands-on experience qualifying new suppliers and transitioning purchased components, including tooling transfers
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and GD&T
• Working knowledge of PPAP/APQP, first article inspection, capability studies and 8D problem solving
• Understanding of processes such as stamping, forming, wire, glass, injection molding, machining and coating/finishing
• Strong project management skills and the ability to work independently
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and ERP/MRP systems
• Fluent English
• Experience with appliance, automotive or other high-volume OEM supply chains
• Experience working with suppliers in Mexico and/or Asia
• Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), Six Sigma Green or Black Belt, or Lean certification
• Spanish fluency