Supplier Development Leader

SUMMARY:  The Supplier Development Leader plays a critical role in ensuring the quality, reliability, and performance of suppliers across the VSE aviation supply chain. This individual is responsible for driving continuous improvement in supply chain performance, including quality, delivery, and cost. The role focuses on developing supplier/product strategies and maintaining strong supplier relationships to ensure VSE’s ability to deliver products to its customers, adherence to required KPIs, stringent aviation industry standards and regulations. This role will also require strong skills in communication, problem solving, flexibility, collaboration, mentorship of team members as well as the ability to operate effectively at multiple organizational levels both externally and internally.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Lead the qualification and approval process for new suppliers and/or leverage existing suppliers to provide additional capability/capacity, ensuring they meet the technical, quality, and regulatory requirements for aviation standards (e.g., AS9100, ISO 9001).
• Identify opportunities and develop strategies to dual source or re-source purchased material which optimizes supply chain robustness, delivery performance, quality and cost while collaborating with key customer/program stakeholders.
• Develop a comprehensive framework, processes, and organization standard to work to facilitate VSE’s ability to re-source or dual source purchased material while meeting all industry and customer requirements.
• Support the integration of new suppliers into the supply chain, ensuring alignment with business needs and customer requirements.
• Evaluate suppliers’ technical capabilities, capacity, cost, risk management, and overall fit with our production and engineering requirements. Proactively identify supply chain risks and develop mitigation strategies.
• Collaborate with suppliers to identify cost-saving opportunities without compromising quality.
• Work with engineering and procurement teams during the design and development stages to ensure suppliers can met new product requirements.
• Support supplier readiness for new product launches and ensure a smooth transition from prototype to full-scale production.
• Develop key performance indicators (KPIs) and scorecards to evaluate supplier performance.
• Work with procurement teams to identify and implement corrective action plans with underperforming suppliers.
• Partner with suppliers to implement lean manufacturing techniques and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Provide technical support and training to suppliers to enhance their manufacturing processes and reduce defects.
• Support the quality team to drive root cause analysis and corrective actions for supplier quality issues using problem-solving tools (e.g., 8D, 5-Why, Six Sigma).
• Support quality teams to validate supplier processes and capability through first article inspections (FAI) and process audits.
• Support supplier audits and assessments focuses on production readiness, quality management systems, and compliance with OEM specifications.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: 

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, supply chain management, or a related technical field.
  • OR an additional 3 years of specific work experience in lieu of degree.
• 7 years of supplier development or supply chain management within an aviation OEM or Tier 1 aviation supplier.
• Must be willing to travel to suppliers and support customer meetings.
• Strong background in supplier quality and performance management, with focus on OEM environments.
• Knowledge of aviation industry standards and regulatory requirements (FAA, EASA).
• Deep understanding of OEM production systems, including lean manufacturing, supplier quality management, and supplier capacity planning.
• Experience in lean manufacturing, six sigma, and continuous improvement tools.
• Proficiency in root cause analysis, risk management, and supplier audits.
• Experience in new product introduction (NPI) and first article inspection (FAI) processes.
• Strong leadership, project management, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and negotiation abilities with the capacity to build strong supplier relationships.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, highly regulated environment while managing multiple priorities.

PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS:

• Master’s degree in engineering, supply chain management, or a related technical field.
• 10+ years of experience in supplier development within an aviation OEM or Tier 1 aviation supplier.
• Certifications such as Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP), Six Sigma Black Belt, or Lean Manufacturing.
• Strong understanding of OEM-specific processes such as Production Part Approval Process (PPAP).
• Strong project management skills, with experience in managing high level projects involving global suppliers.
• Experience collaborating with international suppliers, including knowledge of global logistics, export compliance, and cross-border regulations.

OTHER: 

• The selected applicant will be subject to a background check and drug testing.