Sr. Manager, Supplier Development & Readiness
About the role
Leads the enterprise Supplier Development & Readiness function with direct accountability for supplier capability improvement, operational readiness, recovery execution, and capacity validation. This role ensures suppliers are capable, resilient, and prepared to meet current and future business needs. The Sr. Manager owns the supplier transformation operating model, oversees readiness for new programs and volume ramps, and leads recovery for at-risk or strategically important suppliers.
Job Description
Supplier Development & Recovery Leadership
- Lead and prioritize Supplier Development engagements for critical, strategic, and at-risk suppliers, ensuring rapid stabilization and capability uplift.
- Validate real vs. stated capacity, production allocation, staffing, tooling, and process capability.
- Drive and oversee structured root cause analysis (RCA) and ensure disciplined execution of recovery and improvement plans.
- Govern readiness milestones and exit criteria for supplier transitions back to stable execution.
Capability Building & Transformation
- Oversee on-site execution of capacity expansion, process improvements, throughput optimization, and cycle-time reduction initiatives.
- Champion operational excellence using Lean, Six Sigma, and advanced manufacturing practices across the supply base.
- Enable and support dual sourcing, localization, footprint shifts, and lead-time reduction strategies.
- Ensure suppliers develop sustainable systems, standard work, and controls that prevent recurrence of issues.
Strategic Readiness & Growth Enablement
- Define readiness criteria and governance for supplier readiness across:
- New product introductions (NPI)
- Technology transitions
- Volumes ramps and SIOP-driven growth cycles
- Partner with SIOP, Strategic Sourcing, Engineering, Quality, and Supplier Capacity/Performance teams to align readiness actions with supply strategy and demand signals.
Cross-Functional Influence & Alignment
- Act as the enterprise escalation owner for critical supplier readiness risks.
- Influence sourcing strategies, capital investment decisions, and supplier selection through readiness insights.
- Represent Supplier Development & Readiness in executive reviews, risk forums, and program governance meetings.
- Ensure alignment between Supplier Development activities and the Supplier Capacity & Performance organization for end-to-end supplier health.
Leadership & Influence
- Lead, coach, and develop Supplier Development Engineers.
- Build technical and leadership capability in root cause analysis, process optimization, change management, and capability assessment.
- Foster a culture of accountability, hands-on engagement, and fact-based decision-making.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree
- 8+ years of experience in Supplier Development, Manufacturing, Operations, Supplier Quality, or Industrial/Manufacturing Engineering
- 5+ years of experience conducting capacity audits, operational readiness assessments, and hands-on process improvement
- 5+ years of experience in people leadership
- Ability to travel up to 25% of the time
Preferred Qualifications
- Proven track record leading suppliers through transformational change and crisis stabilization
- Comfortable working on-site at suppliers, including hands-on shop-floor engagement
- Engineering degree preferred (Industrial, Manufacturing, Mechanical, or Systems)
- Experience with Lean, Six Sigma, PFMEA, and Operations Excellence tools is an advantage
Pay Range
The annual salary for this position is between $117,500.00 - $234,500.00 annually. Factors which may affect pay within this range include, but are not limited to, skills, education, experience, and other unique qualifications of the successful candidate.
Other Compensation
This position is entitled to short-term cash incentives, subject to plan requirements.
Benefits
- Health Care Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision; Wellness incentives
- Retirement Benefits
- Time off and Leave: Paid vacation days, up to 15 days; paid sick days, up to 5 days; paid personal leave, up to 5 days; paid holidays, up to 13 days; birth and adoption leave; parental leave; family and medical leave; bereavement leave; jury duty leave; military leave; purchased vacation
- Disability: Short-term and long-term disability
- Life Insurance and Accidental Death and Dismemberment
- Tax-Advantaged Accounts: Health Savings Account; Health Care Spending Account; Dependent Care Spending Account
- Tuition Assistance
Carrier EEO Statement and Accommodations Process
Carrier is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status or any other applicable state or federal protected class. Carrier provides affirmative action in employment for qualified individuals with a Disability and Protected Veterans in compliance with section 503 of Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act.
Use of AI
Technology-enabled tools may support parts of the recruitment process, with oversight by people.