Supplier Development Engineer

Schneider Electric; Phoenix, Youngstown, Houston, Fairfield (AZ, OH, TX, OH); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equal Opportunity Employer

Inclusive workplace culture

Job summary

Schneider Electric is looking for a Supplier Development Engineer (SDE) to drive performance improvements across the supplier base in Phoenix, Arizona. The role involves enhancing quality, delivery, and manufacturing efficiency by collaborating with key suppliers. You will monitor performance metrics and support robust manufacturing processes.

The ideal candidate has a Bachelor's degree in Engineering, 3+ years of experience in supplier development, and skills in project management and communication. A commitment to continuous improvement and Lean/Six Sigma practices is preferred.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in manufacturing, supplier quality, or supplier development.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes and factory operations.
• Experience working directly with suppliers.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and track supplier performance improvement plans.
• Partner with suppliers to drive continuous improvement.
• Assist in supplier performance reviews using KPIs.

Skills

Engineering

Manufacturing processes

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Project management

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Tools

Lean/Six Sigma practices

Quality tools (8D, RCA, FMEA)

Job description

The Supplier Development Engineer (SDE) is responsible for driving performance improvements across our supplier base. This role works closely with key suppliers to enhance quality, delivery, manufacturing efficiency, and overall operational performance. The SDE will lead supplier improvement initiatives, monitor performance metrics, and support suppliers in developing robust manufacturing processes and capabilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and track supplier performance improvement plans
• Partner with suppliers to drive continuous improvement in quality, delivery, and cost
• Assist or co‑lead regular supplier performance reviews using KPIs and scorecards
• Identify root causes of supplier issues and lead corrective and preventive actions
• Support suppliers in process optimization, capacity planning, and production readiness
• Assist with new supplier onboarding, including process validation and capability assessment
• Collaborate with internal teams (Supply Chain, Quality, Engineering) to align supplier strategies
• Perform on‑site supplier visits to evaluate operations and provide hands‑on support
• Drive adoption of lean manufacturing and continuous improvement tools (Six Sigma, Kaizen, etc.)
• Ensure suppliers meet company standards for quality systems, compliance, and operational excellence
• Execute supplier capacity analysis, identify bottlenecks and other opportunities for improvement

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Industrial, Manufacturing, or related field)
• 3+ years of experience in manufacturing, supplier quality, or supplier development
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes and factory operations
• Experience working directly with suppliers and managing performance improvement initiatives
• Familiarity with quality systems and root cause tools (8D, RCA, FMEA, etc.)
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and project management skills
• Excellent communication and relationship‑building abilities
• Flexibility to travel to supplier sites – frequent travel is possible at times

Preferred Qualifications

• Lean / Six Sigma certification
• Experience with supplier audits or supplier quality systems
• Background in factory setup, process validation, or production ramp‑up

Schneider Electric aspires to be the most inclusive and caring company in the world, by providing equitable opportunities to everyone, everywhere, and ensuring all employees feel uniquely valued and safe to contribute their best. We mirror the diversity of the communities in which we operate, and "inclusion" is one of our core values. We believe our differences make us stronger as a company and as individuals and we are committed to championing inclusivity in everything we do. At Schneider Electric, we uphold the highest standards of ethics and compliance, and we believe that trust is a foundational value. Our Trust Charter is our Code of Conduct and demonstrates our commitment to ethics, safety, sustainability, quality and cybersecurity, underpinning every aspect of our business and our willingness to behave and respond respectfully and in good faith to all our stakeholders. You can find out more about our Trust Charter here. Schneider Electric is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is our policy to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities in the areas of recruiting, hiring, training, transferring, and promoting all qualified individuals regardless of race, religion, color, gender, disability, national origin, ancestry, age, military status, sexual orientation, marital status or any other legally protected characteristic or conduct.