Supplier Development Specialist

TI Automotive; Auburn Hills (MI); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

TI Automotive is seeking a Supplier Development Specialist to oversee supplier capability, performance, and risk mitigation across the supply base. You will collaborate with Procurement, Quality, and Supply Chain to manage supplier readiness and drive continuous improvement to meet business and customer requirements.

The role involves evaluating supplier readiness, supporting sourcing decisions, and leading supplier evaluations and audits in alignment with program needs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Finance, Supply Chain, or related field.
• 3–7 years of relevant experience.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes.
• Advanced Excel and analytical skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide quality and capability input during RFQs and supplier selection.
• Support sourcing decisions by translating quality risks into business and cost impacts.
• Conduct supplier risk assessments and document recommendations.
• Lead new supplier evaluations and audits as requested.

Skills

Advanced Excel

Analytical skills

Manufacturing basics

Cross-functional teamwork

Education

Bachelors degree in related field

Tools

SAP

Job description

The Supplier Development Specialist plays a critical role in ensuring supplier capability, performance, and risk mitigation across the supply base. This position is responsible for evaluating supplier readiness, supporting sourcing decisions, and driving continuous improvement to meet business, program, and customer requirements.

This role partners closely with Procurement, Quality, and Supply Chain to proactively manage supplier risk, improve performance, and support critical supply situations.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide quality and capability input during RFQs and supplier selection, including: Technical capability and capacity, Risk assessment, Historical performance & Maturity of Quality Management Systems (QMS)
• Support sourcing decisions by translating quality risks into business and cost impacts.
• Conduct supplier risk assessments, including organizing, leading, and documenting recommendations.
• Lead new supplier evaluations and audits, as requested by Commodity Management and approved by Purchasing leadership.

Compliance & Standards

• Ensure supplier compliance with IATF 16949, ISO 9001, and applicable customer-specific requirements (CSRs).
• Verify and maintain supplier certification status and compliance documentation.
• Ensure adherence to regulatory and reporting requirements, including:
• IMDS and Conflict Minerals tracking & reporting

Quality & Continuous Improvement

• Support development and enforcement of quality requirements within supplier agreements, including: PPAP requirements, Change management and control, Traceability & Warranty and chargeback provisions.
• Drive effective supplier change control processes to ensure no unauthorized changes in materials, processes, or locations.
• Partner with Plant and Corporate Quality teams to manage supplier corrective actions and ensure timely resolution.
• Lead supplier performance improvement initiatives and mitigate supply risks.
• Support supplier scorecard development and ongoing performance tracking across key metrics:
• Quality: PPM, repeat issues, audit findings, 8D response time, containment response time and effectiveness.
• Delivery (SCM): OTIF, premium freight occurrences tied to quality holds.
• Responsiveness & Commercial Competitiveness (Procurement)
• Collaborate with Procurement and Supplier Quality teams to manage Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ), warranty exposure, and supplier chargebacks per contractual agreements.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Serve as a primary interface between Procurement, Quality, and Supply Chain for supplier-related topics.
• Support escalation and resolution of critical supplier issues impacting production or customer delivery.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Finance, Supply Chain, or related field.
• 3–7 years of relevant experience.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes.
• Advanced Excel and analytical skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Automotive industry experience.
• ERP system knowledge (e.g., SAP).
• Global sourcing familiarity.

Equal Opportunity Statement

TI Automotive is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, pregnancy status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status.