SUPPLIER DEVELOPMENT ENGINEER

PRAB, Inc.; Kalamazoo (MI); On-site; USD 75,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

PRAB, Inc. in Kalamazoo, MI seeks a Supplier Development Engineer to optimize supplier performance and drive reductions in cost and lead times. The role spans shop floor and external suppliers, emphasizing quality systems and cross-functional collaboration.

You will track internal and external quality issues, support new part development, and monitor KPIs to boost productivity while maintaining strict quality standards across processes and suppliers.

Qualifications

• BS degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, ISM or equivalent.
• Five years minimum experience in mechanical/industrial/manufacturing engineering or related metal fabrication.
• Strong knowledge of metalworking and welding shop practices.
• Excellent blueprint reading, GD&T, tolerancing and materials knowledge.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills.
• Advanced computer skills including AutoCAD and ERP systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead supplier selection, qualification, and performance evaluations.
• Manage supplier performance using KPIs and scorecards.
• Mitigate supply chain risks including single-source exposure.
• Collaborate with Engineering, operations, and inventory analysis for new products.
• Drive cost reduction and value-added engineering initiatives.
• Develop contingency plans and dual-sourcing strategies.
• Maintain sourcing documents, contracts, and supplier agreements.
• Coordinate with vendors for process and part changes with ROI justification.
• Support field trials and identify potential customers for field testing.
• Develop flow charts, SOPs, PFMEA, and control plans.

Skills

Quality mindset

BS in IE/ME

5+ yrs experience

Metalworking & welding

Communication skills

GD&T & blueprints

AutoCAD & ERP systems

Education

BS degree in Industrial/Manufacturing Engineering or ISM

Tools

AutoCAD

ERP software

Job description

The Supplier Development Engineer position is responsible for working with various departmental teams to eliminate waste in production workflow processes, making sure the Quality systems make the best-integrated use of workers, machines, materials, information, and energy. This role is multi-faceted and focuses on shop floor, office workflow, and external suppliers. Focus includes tracking of internal and external quality issues, new part development and tracking, and KPI's for the purpose of increasing productivity, reducing costs, reducing lead times, and ensuring quality standards are developed and maintained.

Qualifications

• Dedication to excellence and quality output
• BS degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, ISM (Information Systems Management), or equivalent
• Five years minimum experience in mechanical, industrial and/or manufacturing engineering environmental or related metal fabrication experience
• Strong working knowledge of metalworking, welding shop practices and systems
• Good interpersonal and communication skills
• Excellent blueprint reading, GD&T, Tolerancing, Properties of Materials, Heat Treating and Foundry know-how
• Advanced knowledge of general computer and AutoCAD software usage, directory structures, product and bill of materials structures, manufacturing routings and general knowledge of manufacturing (ERP) software systems

Responsibilities

• Lead supplier selection, qualification, and performance evaluations
• Manage supplier performance using KPI's and scorecards
• Identify and mitigate supply chain risks including single-source exposure and market volatility
• Collaborate with internal and external Engineering operations, and inventory analysis to support existing and new product introductions and production requirements
• Drive cost reduction initiatives and value-added engineering initiatives
• Develop contingency plans and dual-sourcing strategies to ensure supply continuity
• Maintain accurate sourcing documentation, contracts, and supplier agreements
• Champion PPAP's, deviations, ERR's and tracking. Work with engineering, production, customer service and purchasing
• Coordinate and collaborate with vendors for process changes, part changes, drawing changes, quality issues and resolution, job specific requirements and tooling modifications with ROI justification
• Production trial runs, work with sales and customer service to identify potential customers to trail usage in the field
• Develop flow charts, SOP's, work instructions, controlled documents and PFMEA's and Control plans (internal and external)
• Work with I.T. and shop floor on incoming receiving inspection and MRB, process in Visual, inventory transactions, and flagging suspect parts for inspection
• Conduct meetings for FEA, design reviews, feasibility, and problem solving
• Participate in design of fixtures and processes, both in-house and with vendors.