Supplier Readiness Manager

About the role

The Supplier Readiness Manager ensures suppliers are fully prepared to support product launches, customer samples, production releases, and volume ramps. This role serves as the primary coordinator between Operations, Supply Chain, product managers, Procurement, and external suppliers to drive end-to-end readiness from NPI through to production. The Supplier Readiness Manager owns supplier execution plans, monitors readiness milestones, tracks upcoming builds, proactively identifies risks, and drives resolution of supply chain constraints to ensure on-time delivery of engineering samples, qualification builds, safe launch activities, and production ramps.

Responsibilities

• Supplier Readiness & Production Launch
  • Own end-to-end supplier readiness from NPI through production release.
  • Establish and drive supplier readiness reviews for all major program milestones.
  • In collaboration with Manufacturing, Procurement and other central teams, ensure suppliers have completed required tooling, process qualifications, material sourcing, staffing, equipment installation, and operational readiness activities.
  • Drive supplier accountability for meeting production launch commitments and readiness criteria.
  • Track and report supplier readiness status, risks, and mitigation plans.
• NPI to Production Execution
  • Coordinate all supplier-related activities across the NPI lifecycle, including engineering builds, qualification builds, safe launch, release-to-production, and volume ramp.
  • Ensure supplier deliverables are aligned with program schedules and customer commitments.
  • Monitor critical path items and proactively drive issue resolution to prevent schedule slips.
  • Support NPI gate reviews and production readiness assessments.
• Build Planning & Execution
  • Maintain visibility to all upcoming engineering, qualification, pilot, and production builds.
  • Coordinate material availability, supplier capacity, tooling readiness, and logistics requirements for each build.
  • Track build execution and drive recovery plans for any schedule, quality, or supply issues.
  • Escalate risks and constraints early to ensure successful build execution.
• Capacity Planning & Ramp Management
  • Partner with Supply Chain and suppliers to secure capacity for product ramps.
  • Develop and maintain capacity plans supporting customer demand forecasts.
  • Monitor supplier capacity readiness, utilization, bottlenecks, and expansion plans.
  • Drive actions to secure long-term capacity and reduce ramp risk.
  • Track progress against capacity commitments and ramp milestones.
• Supply Chain Risk Management
  • Identify and mitigate supply chain risks affecting NPI, qualification, release, and production ramps.
  • Lead cross-functional efforts to resolve shortages, logistics challenges, supplier delays, tooling issues, and material constraints.
  • Establish contingency plans and alternate sourcing strategies where necessary.
  • Maintain visibility of key supplier risks and escalate critical issues to leadership.
• Cross-Functional Program Leadership
  • Act as the primary operational interface between suppliers and internal teams including: Operations, Supply Chain, Procurement, Product managers, Manufacturing Engineering, and Program Management.
  • Provide regular executive updates on supplier readiness, build status, ramp readiness, and capacity securing activities.
  • Drive accountability through clear action plans, owners, and timelines.

Success Metrics

• Supplier readiness achieved prior to production release.
• On-time execution of NPI, qualification, and production builds.
• Production ramps launched without material or capacity constraints.
• Capacity secured in advance of customer demand ramps.
• Reduction in supplier-related schedule delays and escalations.
• Achievement of sample, qualification, and production delivery commitments.
• Improved supplier readiness dashboard accuracy and visibility.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations, or related field.
• 8+ years of experience in supplier management, operations, NPI, supply chain, program management, or manufacturing.
• Strong understanding of NPI processes, production releases, manufacturing operations, and supply chain management.
• Experience working with OSATs, EMS providers, component suppliers, or semiconductor manufacturing partners.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive execution without direct authority.
• Strong analytical, planning, communication, and executive presentation skills.
• Experience identifying and resolving complex supply chain and production readiness issues.

Pay

The expected annual pay range for this position is $190,000 - $230,000. This position is also eligible for bonus opportunities.

Benefits

• Full range of elective benefits including medical, health savings account (with applicable medical plan), dental, vision, health and/or dependent care flexible spending accounts, pre-tax commuter benefits.
• Life insurance, AD&D, and pet insurance.
• Company-paid life insurance and AD&D, LTD, short term medical benefits.
• Paid sick time, paid holidays, and accrued paid vacation.