Strategic Supplier Development Engineer

B&P Littleford; Saginaw (MI); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

B&P Littleford in Saginaw, Michigan is looking for an experienced professional to support Purchasing and Supplier Quality initiatives. This role involves evaluating supplier capabilities, leading onboarding, and enhancing supply chain performance, with a focus on cost and quality improvement.

The ideal candidate will have a BA/BS in Mechanical Engineering or a related field, a willingness to travel up to 40%, and 3-5 years of manufacturing experience. This position also involves analyzing technical documentation to identify cost-reduction opportunities.

Qualifications

• BA/BS in Mechanical Engineering, Supply Chain Management, or a related technical field.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally up to 40%.
• 3-5 years of manufacturing experience.
• Experience interpreting 2D drawings, drafting standards, and GD&T.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and quality standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead supplier development and engagement initiatives.
• Evaluate supplier manufacturing capabilities and quality systems.
• Support onboarding of new suppliers into the Approved Supplier List.
• Develop and implement supplier improvement plans.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with manufacturing partners.

Skills

Supplier development and engagement

Manufacturing capabilities evaluation

Cost-reduction opportunities

Quality assurance understanding

Negotiating contracts

Education

BA/BS in Mechanical Engineering, Supply Chain Management

Job description

Supports Purchasing and Supplier Quality initiatives. This role is responsible for evaluating current and prospective supplier capabilities, leading supplier onboarding and development, and driving improvements in cost, quality, and delivery performance across the supply chain — including the development of lower-cost international sourcing options where appropriate.

• Lead supplier development and engagement initiatives.
• Evaluate supplier manufacturing capabilities, capacity, and quality systems.
• Support onboarding of new suppliers into the Approved Supplier List (ASL).
• Develop and implement supplier improvement plans focused on cost, quality, and delivery performance.
• Build and maintain strong, trust-based relationships with manufacturing partners.
• Coach suppliers on best practices related to documentation, finishing processes, and quality assurance.
• Serve as a technical liaison between Purchasing, Engineering, Manufacturing, and external suppliers.
• Analyze bills of material (BOMs) and technical drawings to identify key requirements and cost-reduction opportunities.
• Share expertise in acceptable manufacturing methods for parts, assemblies, tooling, and equipment.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Purchasing, Engineering, and Project Management teams to align supplier capabilities with project requirements

Qualifications

• BA/BS in Mechanical Engineering, Supply Chain Management, or a related technical field.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally up to 40%.
• 3–5 years of manufacturing experience.
• Experience interpreting 2D drawings, drafting standards, and GD&T.
• Ability to analyze bills of material and engineering drawings.
• Experience negotiating contracts and quotations with contract manufacturers and suppliers.
• Proven ability to identify and implement cost-reduction opportunities.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen, or or possess a Permanent Resident Card
• Technical Aptitude.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and quality standards.