Manager Supplier Surveillance / Development

About the Role

Responsible for managing continuous improvement activities at NORDAM suppliers, providing support and extensive knowledge of processes at every operation sequence to ensure schedules for delivery of product as well as contractual quality and costs are met through effective relationship building and communication.

Responsibilities

• Drive delivery and quality performance improvement across NORDAM.
• Lead efforts to review manufacturing and special processes at suppliers to ensure compliance and identify improvement opportunities.
• Evaluate total cost of procurement to support best sourcing decisions.
• Manage and monitor the supply chain to support P & L initiatives and objectives, including continuous improvement, lean manufacturing, and capacity assessment.
• Develop and improve existing supplier development and management processes, including risk management, operational readiness, supplier improvement plans, and supplier development.
• Work in parallel with work transfer on product transitions, performing risk mitigation and supplier capacity analysis.
• Manage priorities for corporate rate readiness assessments at the supply base.
• Oversee engagement with poorly performing suppliers, ensuring proper diagnosis, corrective action plans, and continued monitoring.
• Manage the supplier performance team to handle priorities within the supply base based on performance.
• Lead supplier assessment and categorization efforts.
• Collaborate with Supply Chain specialists and commodity managers to support NORDAM goals in category and commodity management.
• Engage with New Product Introduction (NPI) suppliers to assist in managing test schedules, qualification activities, and facilitate communication with responsible engineering teams.
• Liaise with departments such as Engineering and Quality to ensure specification compliance.
• Perform other duties as required, which may include assignments in other job classifications or departments.

Requirements

• Minimum 4-year Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Materials Management, or another appropriate discipline.
• Six Sigma / continuous improvement program Green Belt certification (required).
• Six Sigma / continuous improvement program Black Belt certification (preferred).
• 8 years of related experience and/or training in management, supplier development, and compliance in a manufacturing environment.
• Supervisory/management experience (included within the 8 years of overall experience).

Skills and Competencies

• Exceptionally strong verbal and written communication skills, with an effective and persuasive communication style while maintaining and building good supplier relationships.
• Exceptional program/project management skills.
• Ability to work with stakeholders at all levels, including executives.
• Ability to present data in a visually and orally succinct manner.
• Ability to deal with difficult suppliers and identify potential risks or errors.
• Proven skills in developing supplier relationships and understanding of related legal terms and concepts.
• Ability to resolve conflicts and keep projects on track.
• High level of organizational skills and ability to handle multiple time-sensitive deadlines; self-starter with the ability to take initiative.
• Sound working knowledge of computer systems and applications; competent in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; working knowledge of Access is preferred.