Supplier Development Manager - North America

Eaton Group; Lathrup Village (MI); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Eaton Group seeks a seasoned Supplier Development leader to drive capability, capacity, and quality across regional supplier networks. You will oversee APQP processes, drive launch readiness, and manage escalation and corrective actions to ensure continuous improvement and risk reduction.

You will collaborate with Supply Chain Management, Purchasing, Engineering, Manufacturing, and Program Management to align supplier development with customer needs and company strategy.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
• 10+ years in Supplier Development, Supplier Quality, Manufacturing Engineering, Operations, or Supply Chain.
• Minimum 3 years of leadership experience managing teams.
• Engineering/Manufacturing/Quality degrees; Master's preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead regional team to ensure suppliers have technical capability, quality systems, and operational excellence to meet requirements.
• Develop supplier improvement strategies to strengthen pre-launch performance and long-term competitiveness.
• Oversee APQP, supplier qualification, sourcing support, and launch management with problem solving.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Talent development

Supplier relationship management

Risk-based decision making

Executive communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering/related field

Master's degree preferred

Tools

APQP

PPAP

IATF 16949

ISO 9001

Lean Manufacturing

Six Sigma

Job description

Evaluate and qualify supplier capabilities during sourcing activities. Ensure APQP and production readiness requirements are completed. Validate supplier capacity and scalability to meet forecasted demand. During Launch Monitor supplier launch readiness and execution. Lead escalation management and recovery activities for at-risk suppliers. Support production trials, Run-at-Rate, PPAP approval, and launch containment. Ensure suppliers meet quality, delivery, capacity, and stability targets. After Launch Drive continuous improvement and supplier development initiatives. Monitor supplier performance, capacity utilization, and operational effectiveness. Ensure capacity supports demand changes, growth, and continuity needs. Lead improvement plans focused on quality, delivery, productivity, and risk reduction. Support resiliency, localization, and strategic supplier growth initiatives. Supplier Development and Capability Improvement Lead the regional team in ensuring suppliers have the technical capability, capacity, quality systems, and operational excellence to meet requirements. Develop supplier improvement strategies that strengthen pre-launch performance, launch stability, and long-term competitiveness. Ensure suppliers maintain continuity, capacity planning, workforce development, and operational excellence programs. Ensure timely closure of corrective actions and development plans. Support regional escalation management and executive supplier reviews. Partner closely with: Supply Chain Management Purchasing Engineering Manufacturing Supplier Quality Program Management Align supplier development priorities with business and customer needs. Provide executive updates on supplier readiness, launches, and risks. Support new supplier, transfer, localization, and capacity expansion initiatives.

Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.

Minimum 10 years in Supplier Development, Supplier Quality, Manufacturing Engineering, Operations, OR Supply Chain experience required Minimum 3 years of leadership experience managing teams.

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Mechanical, Industrial, Quality Engineering from an accredited institution Master's degree preferred.

Experience leading APQP, supplier qualification, sourcing support, and launch management and problem solving

• APQP
• PPAP
• PFMEA
• Control Plans
• Process Flow Diagrams
• MSA
• SPC
• Supplier Auditing
• Launch Readiness Assessments
• Supplier Risk Management
• IATF 16949
• ISO 9001
• AIAG Core Tools
• Lean Manufacturing
• Problem Solving Methodologies (Six Sigma, RedX, etc)

Position criteria

• Strategic Thinking
• Talent Development
• Supplier Relationship Management
• Risk-Based Decision Making
• Executive Communication

All positions may require participation in video and in-person interviews as part of the hiring process.

All candidates will be evaluated based on job-related competencies, and all candidates' privacy rights and data security will be protected in accordance with applicable laws.

We are committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all job applicants and employees. Employment decisions are based upon job-related reasons regardless of an applicant's race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, marital status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by law.

Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction history will be considered regardless of their arrest or conviction history, consistent with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, the California Fair Chance Act and other local laws. You do not need to disclose your conviction history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you.

To request a disability-related reasonable accommodation to assist you in your job search, application, or interview process, please call us at 1-800-836-6345 to discuss your specific need. Only accommodation requests will be accepted by this phone number.

We know that good benefit programs are important to employees and their families.

Please note that specific programs and options available to an employee may depend on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements.