Supplier Development Lead

Quest Global; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k)

401(k) matching

Dental insurance

Paid time off

Job summary

Quest Global is seeking a Supplier Development Lead in the Midwest region. The role focuses on supplier readiness, recovery, and improvement across assigned suppliers, with emphasis on risk mitigation, operational excellence, and strong stakeholder management within the supply chain.

You will lead containment actions, drive supplier assessments, and coordinate cross-functional teams to implement sustainable improvements.

Qualifications

• RCCA investigations for quality or delivery issues.
• Ability to travel to supplier sites as needed.
• Project management experience; supplier-facing work.

Responsibilities

• Lead supplier containment actions with Operations and Quality.
• Facilitate supplier kick-off meetings and rapid response actions.
• Conduct RCCA investigations and implement corrective actions.
• Develop and implement improvement plans with clear communication.
• Monitor KPIs to assess progress and outcomes.
• Identify and escalate persistent issues to crisis mode.
• Collaborate with Commodity Teams and SBUs for closed-loop feedback.
• Lead supplier development and capability building initiatives.
• Align with engineering on readiness for new programs or ramps.

Skills

Supplier development

RCCA investigations

Project management

Supplier containment

KPI monitoring

Education

BS/BA in Business Administration or Supply Chain

AS Degree with 5 years production support

Job description

Job Requirements

Quest Global delivers world-class end-to-end engineering solutions by leveraging our deep industry knowledge and digital expertise. By bringing together technologies and industries, alongside the contributions of diverse individuals and their areas of expertise, we are able to solve problems better, faster. This multi-dimensional approach enables us to solve the most critical and large-scale challenges across the aerospace & defense, automotive, energy, hi-tech, healthcare, medical devices, rail and semiconductor industries. We are looking for humble geniuses, who believe that engineering has the potential to make the impossible possible; innovators, who are not only inspired by technology and innovation, but also perpetually driven to design, develop, and test as a trusted partner for Fortune 500 customers.

Quest Global delivers world-class end-to-end engineering solutions by leveraging our deep industry knowledge and digital expertise. By bringing together technologies and industries, alongside the contributions of diverse individuals and their areas of expertise, we are able to solve problems better, faster. This multi-dimensional approach enables us to solve the most critical and large-scale challenges across the aerospace & defense, automotive, energy, hi-tech, healthcare, medical devices, rail and semiconductor industries. We are looking for humble geniuses, who believe that engineering has the potential to make the impossible possible; innovators, who are not only inspired by technology and innovation, but also perpetually driven to design, develop, and test as a trusted partner for Fortune 500 customers.

Skills

As a team of remarkably diverse engineers, we recognize that what we are really engineering is a brighter future for us all. If you want to contribute to meaningful work and be part of an organization that truly believes when you win, we all win, and when you fail, we all learn, then we’re eager to hear from you. The achievers and courageous challenge‑crushers we seek, have the following characteristics and skills:

POSITION: Supplier Development Lead

The supplier development lead completes supplier readiness, recovery, and improvement initiatives across assigned suppliers. This role is responsible for evaluating, stabilizing, and strengthening suppliers. The individual leads structured assessments, manages supplier action plans, drives onsite engagements, and identifies/prioritizes Single Points of Failure (SPoFs). This position is highly strategic, focusing on risk mitigation, operational excellence, and relationship management within the supply chain.

What You Will Do

• Lead internal and supplier containment actions in collaboration with Operations and Quality.
• Facilitate supplier kick‑off meetings to align expectations and establish rapid response actions.
• Conduct Root Cause and Corrective Action (RCCA) investigations to resolve critical quality or delivery issues.
• Coordinate with stakeholders to develop and implement improvement plans and ensure clear communication through plan review checkpoints.
• Monitor leading and lagging Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to assess progress.
• Evaluate whether exit criteria have been achieved for containment efforts.
• Escalate persistent issues to crisis mode or tiger teams when warranted.
• Partner with Commodity Teams and SBUs to ensure closed‑loop feedback and transition to sustainable operations.
• Supplier Development & Capability Building:
• Lead supplier site identification and prioritize development efforts aligned with risk, impact, and strategic commodity needs.
• Conduct supplier assessments using SRA, SHA, Gemba, etc.
• Engage suppliers with development roadmaps, training, and targeted actions tied to maturity models and long‑term growth.
• Align with Commodity Managers and Engineering teams on supplier readiness for new programs or volume ramp‑ups.
• Monitor progress toward achieving target maturity levels and initiate sustainment planning once development objectives are met.
• Support long‑term monitoring and re‑engagement cycles to ensure supplier performance remains stable.
• Develop and build manufacturing process technology tools and standardization include FMEA and Control Plans

What You Will Bring

• BS or BA in Business Administration, Supply Chain or Technical related field with 3 years of experience
• AS Degree with 5 years production support experience
• Ability to travel to supplier sites as needed
• Ability to conduct Root Cause and Corrective Action (RCCA) investigations for critical quality or delivery issues
• Project management experience
• Background in operations/manufacturing, engineering, quality, or supply chain with supplier‑facing work

Pay Range: $75000/year-$80000/year

Compensation decisions are made based on factors including experience, skills, education, and other job-related factors, in accordance with our internal pay structure. We also offer a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, paid time off, and retirement plan.

Work Requirements

We offer flexible work options, including hybrid arrangements, to support the need of the role and align with company policies. This position will be performed at supplier sites in Mid-west region

• You must be able to commute to and from the location with your own transportation arrangements to meet the required working hours.
• Shop floor environment, which may include but not limited to extensive walking, and ability to lift up to 40 lbs.

Travel Requirements

Due to the nature of the work, more than 80% travel will be required.

Citizenship Requirement

Due to the nature of the work, U.S. citizenship is required.

Benefits

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Referral program
• Vision insurance
• Short/Long Term Disability