Global Supplier Development Engineer

Tennant; Golden Valley (MN); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Tennant Company seeks a Supplier Development Engineer to ensure the quality and performance of its global supplier base. This role involves qualifying new suppliers, managing risk, and supporting product launches. Ideal candidates will have a degree in Engineering and extensive experience in supplier development and quality engineering.

Qualifications

• 5-10 years of experience in supplier development or quality engineering.
• Strong knowledge of quality tools (e.g., APQP, PPAP, FMEA).
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings and specifications.

Responsibilities

• Lead onsite evaluations of supplier operations and audits.
• Qualify and onboard new suppliers to meet company standards.
• Drive continuous improvement activities with suppliers.

Skills

Problem Solving

Project Management

Communication

Customer Service

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Tools

SAP

Job description

With more than $1B in revenue, Tennant Company is a globally recognized leader in the cleaning equipment industry. For the past 150 years, we have been passionate about developing and manufacturing innovative and sustainable solutions for our customers. At Tennant Company, we are committed to stewardship and creating a cleaner, safer and healthier world. With manufacturing, operations and sales, service, and support functions across the globe, your journey at Tennant can take you places you never expected.

The Supplier Development Engineer (SDE) plays a critical role in ensuring the quality, reliability, and performance of Tennant’s global supplier base. This role focuses on proactively qualifying new suppliers and part designs to meet company standards in quality, cost and delivery. The SDE will primarily partner with New Product Development and Global Strategic Supply to ensure product launch schedule is achieved. SDE will partner with lifecycle management teams including production, supplier quality and material control to ensure successful transition from concept to release.

General Responsibilities

• Engage directly with a broad range of suppliers in multiple categories building on Tennant Company’s legacy of quality and innovation supporting our mission of creating a cleaner, safer, healthier world.
• Lead onsite evaluations of supplier operations from design control to raw materials, from order intake, production and delivery with periodic audits
• Qualify and onboard new suppliers to ensure alignment with company standards and regulatory requirements
• Identify supplier leading risk indicators and align with strategic supply to support risk mitigation negotiation strategies
• Develop and effectively manage the successful execution of the part approval & supplier development opportunities within assigned categories
• Drive a structured approach, with suppliers, during the NPD phases utilizing tools such as capability assessments, process mapping, PFMEA, and part qualification - Material Design Review and First Articles
• Facilitate supplier reviews encompassing supplier design simulation, testing, and validation activities to ensure delivered quality at both the prototype and product launch phase
• Ensure supplier capability and design requirements are aligned with requirements and growth strategies
• Partner with design engineering and suppliers to develop drawings, tolerances, GD&T including identifying areas for improvement in both component and manufacturing cost optimization.
• Support product launches by working with suppliers on process validation, PPAP, FAI, and capability studies
• Act as a liaison between suppliers and internal stakeholders to align expectations and ensure compliance with technical and quality requirements
• Contribute to the development and refinement of project plans, schedules and metrics.
• Contribute to the development and refinement of supplier quality procedures, documentation, and best practices
• Own and lead continuous improvement activities with suppliers ensuring step changes in cost, quality and delivery
• Leverage strong project management and change management skills to drive continuous improvements for the categories and introduce innovative strategies

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Mechanical preferred
• 5-10 years of experience in supplier development, quality engineering, product engineering, or manufacturing engineering
• Strong knowledge of quality tools and methodologies (e.g., APQP, PPAP, FMEA, SPC, MSA, 8D)
• Experience with supplier audits, root cause analysis, and continuous improvement tools
• Familiarity with global supplier management and working across multiple time zones and cultures
• Experience in defining, executing, and continuously improving component qualification/certification/audit specifications
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, requirements, and specifications
• SAP experience a plus
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally (up to 20%)

Required Interpersonal and Behavioral Skills

• Must be capable of working within processes without direct supervision
• Must be self-driven with strong problem-solving skills and decision making
• Must be capable of managing multiple projects
• Driven to improve internal and external processes
• Results oriented with a strong focus on quality systems
• High level of customer service and collaboration skills
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Ability to build and maintain positive relationships, both internally and externally, while maintaining high customer service

Begin your journey with us. Let's reinvent how the world cleans.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Tennant Company is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made on the basis of individual skill, ability, reliability, productivity, and other factors important to performance. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, physical or mental disability, age, military service, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information (including family medical history), marital status, gender identity or expression, parental status, political or any other non-merit based factors protected by state or federal law or local ordinance.