Global Supplier Development Engineer

Tennant Company; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 136,000; Full time

Job summary

Tennant Company is seeking a Supplier Development Engineer to enhance the quality and reliability of its global supplier base. This role involves collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure product launch timelines are met while maintaining Tennant's commitment to innovation and sustainability.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package

401(k) with profit sharing

Paid time off

Health insurance

Disability and life insurance

Qualifications

• 5-10 years of experience in supplier development or quality engineering.
• Strong knowledge of quality tools and methodologies.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally (up to 20%).

Responsibilities

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

Skills

Quality engineering

Problem-solving

Project management

Supplier audits

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Tools

APQP

PPAP

FMEA

SPC

MSA

8D

Job description

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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
• 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

Competitive base salary commensurate with experience: $90,200 - $135,200
Posted salary ranges are made in good faith. Tennant Co. reserves the right to adjust ranges depending on the experience/qualifications of the selected candidate as well as internal and external equity.
Total Compensation = Base Salary + Benefits
Benefits = A comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, 401(k), profit sharing, disability, life insurance, paid time off, and voluntary benefits!

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, creed, religion, sex, national origin, physical or mental disability, age, veteran status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, or any other basis protected by state or federal law or local ordinance.

Nearest Major Market: Minneapolis
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