Supplier Development Engineer

Tramec is currently seeking a Supplier Development Engineer to join either our Tramec Sloan facility in Holland, Michigan or our Tramec Sloan facility in Galion, OH. 

Position Summary:

The Supplier Development Engineer is responsible for the technical management of purchased components and supplier capabilities throughout the product lifecycle. This position partners with Engineering, Purchasing, Quality, Manufacturing, and Suppliers to identify, qualify, validate, and continuously improve supplier performance while ensuring purchased components meet engineering, quality, cost, and delivery requirements.

The Supplier Development Engineer serves as the primary engineering resource supporting supplier selection, APQP activities, PPAP approval, product validation, manufacturing readiness, and supplier development initiatives. This role combines engineering expertise with supplier management to reduce risk, improve quality, and support successful product launches.

Essential Job Functions:

Supplier Qualification

• Lead technical evaluation and qualification of new suppliers.
• Perform supplier capability assessments and manufacturing process evaluations.
• Participate in supplier audits and process reviews.
• Assess supplier manufacturing technologies and process capabilities.
• Evaluate supplier capacity and technical competencies.
• Develop supplier qualification plans and approval documentation.
• Maintain approved supplier records.

Supplier Development

• Develop suppliers to meet engineering and quality expectations.
• Work with suppliers to improve manufacturability and process capability.
• Lead supplier continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support supplier scorecard development.

Component Validation

• Coordinate validation of purchased components.
• Review supplier drawings and specifications.
• Verify compliance with engineering requirements.
• Coordinate dimensional inspections.
• Approve first article inspections.
• Review material certifications.
• Verify regulatory compliance.
• Support laboratory testing and validation.
• Ensure purchased components meet functional requirements before production approval.

APQP / PPAP

• Lead supplier APQP activities.
• Review and approve supplier:
• DFMEA support documentation
• PFMEA
• Control Plans
• Process Flow Diagrams
• MSA
• SPC studies
• Capability studies
• PPAP packages
• Coordinate Run-at-Rate activities.
• Participate in Production Readiness Reviews.

Engineering Support

• Review supplier print changes.
• Support Engineering Change Notices (ECNs).
• Evaluate alternate suppliers.
• Participate in cost reduction initiatives.
• Support Value Engineering projects.
• Review supplier tooling concepts.
• Assist Product Engineering during new product launches.
• Evaluate supplier DFM recommendations.

Supplier Quality

• Participate in supplier corrective actions
• Investigate supplier quality issues.
• Analyze supplier defect trends.
• Reduce supplier PPM.
• Drive permanent corrective actions.
• Participate in warranty investigations involving supplier components.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with:
• Purchasing
• Product Engineering
• Manufacturing Engineering
• Quality
• Production
• Sales
• Customers
• Suppliers
• Participate in design reviews.
• Support sourcing decisions.
• Assist purchasing with technical supplier negotiations.
• Provide engineering recommendations regarding make-versus-buy decisions.
• Travel up to 25% as required

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related engineering discipline.
• Minimum 5–8 years of engineering, supplier quality, manufacturing engineering, or purchasing engineering experience.
• Experience with supplier qualification.
• Experience validating manufactured components.
• Experience with APQP and PPAP.
• Experience working with domestic and international suppliers.
• Heavy-duty truck, automotive, or industrial manufacturing experience preferred.
• Travel

Computer Skills:

• SolidWorks
• PDM/PLM systems
• AutoCAD
• Epicor or equivalent ERP
• Microsoft Office Suite
• Advanced Excel
• Project management software
• Minitab (preferred)
• Statistical analysis software

Technical Knowledge:

• Strong understanding of:
• GD&T
• Engineering drawings
• Tolerance stack-ups
• Injection molding
• Metal stamping
• Machining
• Die casting
• Forging
• Welding
• Plastic manufacturing
• Surface finishing
• Heat treating
• APQP
• PPAP
• PFMEA
• Control Plans
• SPC
• MSA
• Capability Studies
• ISO 9001
• IATF 16949
• Lean Manufacturing
• Six Sigma
• Supplier auditing

Leadership Competencies:

• Technical leadership
• Supplier relationship management
• Negotiation support
• Project management
• Risk assessment
• Root cause analysis
• Continuous improvement
• Excellent communication
• Strong analytical skills
• Ability to manage multiple supplier projects simultaneously
• Independent decision-making

Physical Requirements:

• Walking Sitting Standing Typing Reading Grasping
• Stooping Twisting Reaching Climbing Bending Stretching
• Lifting- up to 50lbs.

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check and drug screening. Tramec is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic as defined by applicable law. At this time, we are not able to offer visa sponsorship or relocation assistance for this position. We appreciate your understanding. #ZR