Supplier Development Analyst /Supplier Manufacturing Readiness Analyst

Ford Motor Company; Chennai District; On-site; INR 10,00,000 - 15,00,000; Full time

Job summary

A global automotive leader is seeking an SMRT Analyst in Chennai to ensure supplier readiness for vehicle launches and manage delivery performance. The successful candidate will engage with suppliers, conduct readiness assessments, and provide coaching on MMOG requirements. This role requires strong analytical skills, a bachelor's degree in Engineering or related fields, and a minimum of 3 years' experience in the automotive sector. Ready for travel to supplier sites globally, this position promises a dynamic work environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, or Business.
• 3+ years of experience in an automotive OEM or Tier 1 environment.
• Comfort with moderate to high travel to supplier sites.

Responsibilities

• Engage with suppliers to assess manufacturing and logistics readiness.
• Coach and train suppliers on MMOG endorsement and LRR requirements.
• Analyze supplier performance and manage critical delivery issues.

Skills

MMOG/LE expertise

Supply Chain Engineering

Big Data Management

Advanced MS Office

Technical innovation

Communication excellence

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, or Business

Tools

ERP (SAP/Oracle)

SuperG

Ascent

Job description

The SMRT Analyst plays a pivotal role in ensuring that Ford’s supply base is prepared, capable, and system‑ready for vehicle launches, re‑sourcing, and ongoing production. This role acts as a bridge between Ford and its suppliers, providing coaching on MMOG/LE requirements, managing launch readiness (LRR), and troubleshooting critical delivery issues. You will be responsible for driving supplier performance, conducting deep‑dive system audits, and managing complex data to ensure a seamless supply chain.

Key Responsibilities

Supplier Readiness & MMOG Endorsement

• Engage with new suppliers immediately after sourcing agreement to assess manufacturing and logistics system readiness against MMOG/LE requirements through onsite evaluations.
• Coach and train both new and carry‑over suppliers on MMOG endorsement expectations and Level A standards.
• Develop and establish detailed gap‑closure timing plans and actively drive suppliers to meet endorsement milestones through regular onsite and virtual reviews.
• Perform comprehensive document reviews and validate supplier systems including ERP, MRP, MPS, WMS, EDI, Tier‑2 EDI, and barcoding processes prior to MMOG endorsement.
• Monitor supplier progress and proactively elevate risks, delays, or non‑compliance to Cross‑Functional Teams (CFT) to secure timely support.
• Prepare and maintain structured management reports, track stage‑wise readiness progress, and provide clear inputs to Purchasing, STA, and CFT forums.
• Ensure achievement of annual MMOG endorsement targets as defined by the people leader and organizational goals.

Launch Readiness Review (LRR) Execution

• Trigger Launch Readiness Review (LRR) audit assessments via SuperG upon receipt of OTG from PPM, in alignment with the defined LRR process (typically 6 months prior to Job #1 / TT).
• Train and coach suppliers on LRR requirements and ensure timely completion of self‑assessments and evidence submission in SuperG.
• Review supplier self‑assessments and supporting documentation to identify readiness gaps.
• Develop detailed gap‑closure action plans and drive suppliers to complete all actions on or before MP1 for the program launch.

Resourcing & Localization Readiness Execution

• Trigger resourcing audit assessments via SuperG upon receipt of Resourcing Work Message (RWM) from Purchasing, in accordance with the defined resourcing process.
• Train and coach suppliers on onboarding and resourcing requirements, ensuring timely completion of self‑assessments and evidence submission in SuperG.
• Review supplier self‑assessments and supporting documentation to identify readiness gaps.
• Develop structured gap‑closure action plans and drive suppliers to complete all actions well before start of supply.

Supplier Onboarding & System Enablement

• Onboard new suppliers into MP&L digital platforms and ensure access to systems including Covisint, FSP, eDDL, Ascent, SuperG, SIM, GCP, MCPV, and NGVAS.
• Establish and validate EDI connectivity between the organization and suppliers for release transmission and ASN receipt.
• Work closely with suppliers to verify and validate ERP systems, ensuring robust MRP and MPS processes are in place to support production planning and release execution.
• Perform deep‑dive assessments of supplier Tier‑2 material ordering processes (MRP), logistics value stream mapping (VSM), and inventory management across pipeline, WIP, and in‑plant stages.
• Validate Tier‑2 capacity alignment with Tier‑1 production requirements to ensure supply continuity.
• Train and onboard suppliers into ASCENT and ensure commitment compliance within defined cut‑off timelines.

Supply Chain & Tier‑2 Readiness Validation

• Analyze supplier delivery performance reports from SuperG to identify underperforming suppliers based on defined thresholds.
• Work with suppliers to perform root cause analysis, develop corrective action plans, and track recovery to improve delivery ratings above minimum requirements.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams (CST, Purchasing, STA) to secure appropriate support and drive sustainable performance improvement.
• Provide fact‑based recommendations to CFT regarding Q1 certification actions, including override or revocation.
• Analyze and process supplier delivery disputes in SuperG in a timely manner by validating issues and approving or rejecting disputes as per governance.

Supplier Delivery Performance & Dispute Governance

• Analyze data from multiple sources (Daily Production Reports, Plant MP&L inputs, SuperG, premium freight data, and proto teams) to identify production‑critical suppliers.
• Lead root cause analysis with suppliers and define detailed, time‑bound recovery action plans.
• Conduct in‑depth onsite and remote reviews of supplier ERP, MRP, and MPS processes, inventory integrity (pipeline, WIP, in‑plant), and Tier‑2 capacity alignment.
• Be deployed onsite at supplier locations during crisis situations until system and physical issues are fully stabilized.
• Perform immediate onsite supplier reviews following production loss or line stoppages caused by suppliers.
• Prepare and submit structured daily, weekly and monthly progress reports to management, highlighting risks, recovery status, and support required.
• Participate in cross‑functional and leadership meetings to provide inputs and secure timely support for issue resolution.

Critical Supplier & Crisis Management

• Analyze data from multiple sources (Daily Production Reports, Plant MP&L inputs, SuperG, premium freight data, and proto teams) to identify production‑critical suppliers.
• Lead root cause analysis with suppliers and define detailed, time‑bound recovery action plans.
• Conduct in‑depth onsite and remote reviews of supplier ERP, MRP, and MPS processes, inventory integrity (pipeline, WIP, in‑plant), and Tier‑2 capacity alignment.
• Be deployed onsite at supplier locations during crisis situations until system and physical issues are fully stabilized.
• Perform immediate onsite supplier reviews following production loss or line stoppages caused by suppliers.
• Prepare and submit structured daily, weekly and monthly progress reports to management, highlighting risks, recovery status, and support required.
• Participate in cross‑functional and leadership meetings to provide inputs and secure timely support for issue resolution.

Strategic Skill Set Matrix

Technical Mastery

• MMOG/LE Expertise: Expert‑level understanding of Global Materials Management Operations Guidelines.
• Systems Integration: Deep knowledge of ERP (SAP/Oracle), MRP, and EDI protocols.
• Ford Digital Suite: Proficiency (or the ability to quickly master) SuperG, Ascent, Covisint, FSP, and GCP.
• Supply Chain Engineering: Mastery of Inbound/Outbound logistics, VSM, Packaging, and Warehouse Management.

Analytical & Digital Skills

• Big Data Management: Ability to synthesize complex data from multiple sources into clear, actionable management strategies.
• Advanced MS Office: High proficiency in Excel (pivot tables, complex formulas) and PowerPoint for executive presentations.
• Techno‑Innovation: A mindset for using digital tools to automate manual tracking and improve supply chain visibility.

Leadership & Behavioural Competencies

• Strategic Influence: Ability to "coach up" supplier leadership and influence Ford’s cross‑functional partners (Purchasing, Engineering, STA).
• Resilience & Agility: The ability to remain calm and decisive during high‑pressure production crises or "line‑down" situations.
• Global Mindset: Comfortable working across different cultures and time zones, with the willingness to travel globally to supplier sites.
• Communication Excellence: Crystal‑clear oral and written English skills for global reporting and onsite coaching.

Candidate Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, or Business. (A Master’s degree is a significant advantage).
• Experience: 3+ years in an automotive OEM or Tier 1 environment. We are looking for someone who has "lived" the manufacturing floor and understands the pressure of a vehicle launch.
• Mobility: Ready for moderate to high travel (sometimes on short notice) to Ford and supplier sites worldwide.

Requisition ID : 56701