Supplier Development Engineer, Automotive

The Supplier Development Engineer at A Society is responsible for ensuring a steady supply of parts to our North American plants while minimizing costs. Key responsibilities include engaging with suppliers to assess their performance, solving supplier issues, and ensuring operational excellence. You will monitor high-risk supplier developments, develop productive supplier processes, and set focused priorities to achieve objectives.

To be considered for the Supplier Development Engineer position at A Society, candidates should possess a university degree, preferably in engineering, business management, or supply chain management. Additionally, experience in supply chain quality, supplier development, and production in the automotive industry is advantageous. Strong problem-solving, communication, and project management skills are essential for success in this role.

At A Society, the Supplier Development Engineer is expected to build trustful relationships with suppliers. This involves active engagement, clear communication, and delivering direct, actionable feedback. The role requires the engineer to demonstrate a commitment to customer focus while working collaboratively to surface problems and seek effective solutions tailored to each supplier's unique situation.

Candidates for the Supplier Development Engineer position at A Society should ideally have experience in supplier quality and capacity, manufacturing engineering, or crisis management within the automotive or heavy commercial truck industry. This experience enables engineers to accurately assess supplier performance and implement solutions that align with our operational goals.

Essential skills for the Supplier Development Engineer role at A Society include strong problem-solving abilities, effective communication, and teamwork. Additionally, candidates should demonstrate project management skills, a sense of urgency, the ability to handle uncertainty, and adeptness in multitasking and managing workloads efficiently.

When answering this question, provide specific examples from your past experiences that highlight your ability to assess, manage, and improve supplier quality. Be sure to mention any direct impacts those experiences had on operational efficiency.

In your response, focus on the importance of trust and open communication with suppliers. Share strategies you’ve used to establish rapport and collaboration, demonstrating your interpersonal skills and proactive engagement.

Discuss specific analytical tools or techniques you've applied to pinpoint inefficiencies or quality concerns within supplier systems. Emphasize your systematic approach and any relevant outcomes from those methods.

Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to outline a specific challenge you faced, the actions you took to resolve it, and the positive outcomes of your resolution. This showcases your problem-solving skills effectively.

Detail your approach to continuous improvement, including methodologies like Lean or Six Sigma, and how you motivate suppliers to adopt these practices for enhancing their operations and reducing costs.

Emphasize your conflict resolution skills by sharing an example of a past experience where you addressed a disagreement professionally, focusing on reaching a mutually satisfactory solution while maintaining the relationship.

Discuss how keeping an eye on high-risk suppliers helps mitigate potential disruptions in the supply chain. Provide examples of risk factors and how monitoring has led to timely interventions or improvements.

Talk about your experience in aligning suppliers' goals with your company’s broader objectives. Explain how regular communication and performance metrics play a role in achieving this harmony.

Highlight specific project management methodologies you are familiar with, such as Agile or Waterfall, and explain how you apply these frameworks to ensure timely and efficient delivery of supplier development initiatives.

Articulate your passion for the automotive industry, your interest in supplier development, and how A Society’s vision aligns with your career goals. Highlight any relevant experiences that make you a strong fit for the company.