Supplier Development Specialist

Blackline Safety; Calgary; Hybrid; CAD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Hybrid work model

Education funding

Vacation & paid time off

Job summary

Blackline Safety is seeking a Supplier Development Specialist to optimize supplier performance, enable production readiness, and drive continuous improvement across manufacturing operations. You will lead complex investigations and coordinate corrective actions with suppliers and internal teams.

The role requires a minimum of five years in supplier quality/ development, strong root-cause analysis, and the ability to travel 10–20% to supplier sites.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Quality Engineering, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of hands-on experience driving process improvement and troubleshooting in manufacturing environments, including injection molding, die casting, stamping/sheet metal fabrication, and coating processes.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in supplier management, supplier development, or supplier quality engineering.
• Demonstrated experience implementing process improvement initiatives within manufacturing environments.
• Proven ability to resolve complex tooling, process, and mechanical compatibility issues directly within supplier manufacturing operations.
• Strong root-cause analysis and corrective action skills.
• Ability to travel to supplier facilities approximately 10–20% of the time.
• Preferred Qualifications: Lean Manufacturing certification; Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt; Experience conducting supplier audits; Experience with PCBA, SMT/SMD assembly, LCD display technologies, RF systems, battery-powered products, and electro-mechanical devices; Experience utilizing manufacturing data for process capability and yield analysis.

Responsibilities

• Monitor supplier quality performance, process capability, yield, and defect trends.
• Drive supplier process capability improvements through SPC, process monitoring, and continuous improvement methodologies to increase Cpk and reduce variation.
• Lead complex supplier quality investigations using 8D, root cause analysis, and Lean methodologies with sustainable improvements.
• Drive closure and effectiveness verification of supplier corrective actions.
• Support supplier scorecard development and performance reviews.
• Lead supplier Run-at-Rate validations to ensure capacity and throughput meet demand.
• Verify supplier readiness to support production growth.
• Assess manufacturing bottlenecks, constraints, and risk areas.
• Recommend improvements to increase throughput and stability.
• Lead yield improvement initiatives at supplier facilities.
• Conduct on-site and virtual process reviews and Kaizen events to eliminate waste and improve efficiency.
• Apply Lean and Six Sigma methodologies to improve performance.
• Drive reduction of defects, scrap, rework, and process variation.
• Serve as escalation point for IQC issues and coordinate with suppliers to resolve quality concerns.
• Support root-cause investigations involving Suppliers, Operations, and Engineering teams.
• Lead containment, corrective action, and preventive action implementations.

Skills

Process improvement

Root-cause analysis

Supplier management

Troubleshooting

Education

Engineering degree

Manufacturing/Industrial background

Tools

PCBA/SMT/SMD experience

RF systems

Electro-mechanical devices

Quality systems

Job description

Our team at Blackline Safety is growing! As a people-driven technology company, with a mission to make sure every worker returns home safely, we drive innovation, practice resiliency, demonstrate leadership, go the extra mile for our customers, and empower our people to be their best.

The Supplier Development Specialist is responsible for optimizing supplier manufacturing performance following product qualification and production release. This role focuses on supplier process capability, production readiness, capacity validation, yield improvement, and ongoing supplier quality performance.

Working closely with suppliers and internal operations teams, the Supplier Development Specialist drives continuous improvement initiatives through Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen activities, root-cause analysis, and process optimization. The role serves as the primary escalation point for complex incoming quality issues and supports long-term supplier quality and operational excellence.

Reporting to the Supplier Quality Manager, the Supplier Development Specialist ensures suppliers consistently meet Blackline Safety expectations for quality, delivery, capacity, and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Supplier Performance Management
  • Monitor supplier quality performance, process capability, yield, and defect trends.
  • Drive supplier process capability improvements through the implementation of SPC, process monitoring, and continuous improvement methodologies, increasing Cpk performance and reducing process variation.
  • Lead complex supplier quality investigations using 8D, root cause analysis, and Lean methodologies, implementing sustainable process improvements that eliminate recurring defects and improve manufacturing performance.
  • Drive closure and effectiveness verification of supplier corrective actions.
  • Support supplier scorecard development and performance reviews.
• Production Readiness & Capacity Validation
  • Lead supplier Run-at-Rate validations to ensure manufacturing capacity and throughput can support current and future Blackline Safety demand requirements.
  • Verify supplier readiness to support production demand and future growth requirements.
  • Assess manufacturing bottlenecks, process constraints, and risk areas.
  • Recommend improvements to increase supplier throughput and stability.
• Yield Improvement & Process Optimization
  • Lead yield improvement initiatives at supplier facilities.
  • Conduct on-site and virtual process reviews and Kaizen events to eliminate waste and improve efficiency.
  • Apply Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies to improve supplier performance.
  • Drive reduction of defects, scrap, rework, and process variation.
• Incoming Quality Escalations
  • Serve as the escalation point for complex incoming quality control (IQC) issues.
  • Support root cause investigations involving suppliers, Operations, and Engineering teams.
  • Lead containment, corrective action, and preventive action implementation.
  • Coordinate with suppliers to rapidly resolve production-impacting quality concerns.
• Supplier Audits & Development
  • Perform supplier audits focused on production controls, quality systems, process capability, and operational effectiveness.
  • Develop supplier improvement plans based on audit findings and performance data.
  • Build collaborative supplier relationships focused on continuous improvement.
  • Drive the development of our dock-to-stock program
• Operational Quality Support
  • Partner with Manufacturing Engineering and Operations teams to improve internal yield and supplier-driven quality performance.
  • Analyze quality data to identify recurring issues and improvement opportunities.
  • Drive sustainable process improvements across the supply base.

About You

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Quality Engineering, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of hands-on experience driving process improvement and troubleshooting in manufacturing environments, including injection molding, die casting, stamping/sheet metal fabrication, and coating processes.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in supplier management, supplier development, or supplier quality engineering.
• Demonstrated experience implementing process improvement initiatives within manufacturing environments.
• Proven ability to resolve complex tooling, process, and mechanical compatibility issues directly within supplier manufacturing operations.
• Strong root-cause analysis and corrective action skills.
• Ability to travel to supplier facilities approximately 10–20% of the time.
• Preferred Qualifications
  • Lean Manufacturing certification.
  • Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt.
  • Experience conducting supplier audits.
  • Experience with PCBA, SMT/SMD assembly, LCD display technologies (front-lit/backlit), RF systems, battery-powered products, and electro-mechanical devices is considered a strong asset.
  • Experience utilizing manufacturing data for process capability and yield analysis.

Total Rewards

At Blackline Safety, we offer more than just a job—we offer a career with purpose. Our Total Rewardsofferings are designed to supportthe diverse needs of our global workforce and vary based onemployment type and location.They mayinclude:

• Competitive base salary and annual compensation review
• Comprehensive health and dental benefits*
• Mental health and wellness support
• Flexible work arrangements and hybrid work model for eligible positions
• Paid vacation, personal and sick days*
• Professional development opportunities
• Education funding
• A collaborative, inclusive, and mission-driven culture
• Exclusive access toperksand discounts
• Aflexible ‘DressforYour Day’ environment

*Eligibility and coverage vary by employment type and region.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Blackline Safety is powered by the diversity of our talented employees. We are an equal opportunity employer. We consider all applicants, regardless of age, religion, race, color, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, disability, national origin, race, or sexual orientation. We enthusiastically encourage all individuals to apply for positions that fit their passions.

If you require accommodation during the recruitment process, pleasecontact us [e-mail]. We are committed to ensuring an accessible and equitable experience for all candidates.