Supplier Development Specialist

Kelvion; Knoxville (TN); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Kelvion is seeking a Supplier Development Specialist to ensure supplier materials and services meet quality, delivery, and regulatory standards. You will drive corrective actions, audits, and new supplier qualifications, supporting risk reduction across the supply chain.

You will lead supplier development, manage crises, and collaborate with procurement, engineering and manufacturing to ensure quality objectives are met and improvements are sustained across programs and ramp-ups.

Qualifications

• BA or BS degree in a technical field with 5+ years of supplier quality experience.
• Experience with ISO 9001 and preferably IATF 16949.
• Experience with statistical analysis tools and quality tools.

Responsibilities

• Monitor supplier performance through scorecards and KPIs.
• Lead root cause investigations and corrective actions.
• Manage supplier-related crises and cross-team communications.
• Drive supplier development and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Evaluate and approve new suppliers based on capability and risk.
• Determine supplier suitability via technical reviews in sourcing.
• Develop supplier audit plans and conduct audits / quality assessments.
• Review and approve KPAP/PPAP documentation.
• Verify supplier capacity via Run at Rates.
• Plan and oversee safe launches for new parts and changes.
• Review supplier change requests and ensure QMS compliance.
• Collaborate with Procurement, Engineering, Manufacturing and suppliers.

Skills

Supplier quality

KPIs

Root cause analysis

8D method

Audits

PPAP/APQP

Sourcing

CAPA

Statistical analysis

Microsoft Office

Education

BA or BS degree in technical field

Tools

Statistical software

Microsoft Excel

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

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POSITION SUMMARY

Supplier Development Specialist is responsible for ensuring that suppliers consistently provide materials, components, and services that meet quality, technical, delivery, regulatory and customer requirements for direct materials and services. The role works closely with suppliers to evaluate supplier performance, resolve quality issues by driving corrective and preventative actions, conducts supplier audits and run at rates (capacity verification), supports new supplier qualification, supplier sourcing and supplier readiness for production. Evaluates and approves supplier production part submissions (KPAPs/PPAPs), oversees safe launch activities for new parts and changes and drives supplier development and continuous improvements. The position plays a critical role in reducing supply chain risk.

RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES

• Monitor supplier performance through supplier scorecards and KPIs.
• Support in supplier root cause and corrective action investigations.
• Manage supplier-related crisis, leading response activities, escalation management, coordinating communication across teams and mitigating impacts.
• Drive supplier development and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Evaluate, qualify, and approve new suppliers based on technical capability, manufacturing processes, quality systems and risk assessments.
• Determine supplier suitability for specific parts, components, services or product families through technical reviews and feasibility assessments during supplier sourcing process.
• Develop supplier audit plan and conduct supplier audits and supplier quality system assessments.
• Support the review and approval of supplier KPAP/PPAP documentation and production part submissions.
• Verify supplier capacity via Run at Rates.
• Plan and oversee safe launch activities for new parts, engineering changes and supplier related changes to ensure product quality during ramp up process.
• Review of supplier change requests.
• Ensure compliance with quality management systems and customer specific requirements.
• Collaborate with Procurement, Engineering, Manufacturing and suppliers to ensure quality requirements are met.
• All other duties assigned.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES

• To ensure Kelvion’s Standard of Excellence, which includes quality, is incorporated into every product we produce.
• Follow all company policies and procedures, including but not limited to Global Code of Business Principles, Code of Ethics and Business Conduct, Vision and Values, Operational Framework.
• Knowledge of quality management systems such as ISO 9001 / IATF 16949 and/or industry specific standards.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and GD&T requirements.
• Experience in leading root cause analysis and corrective action processes using methodologies such as 8D, 5 Why and Fishbone Analysis.
• Capacity to work independently from general supervision (must be self-motivated once given direction/guidance).
• Ability to communicate with oral and written communication effectively with all levels of personnel and management, both internal and external in a manner that creates cooperation and one team mentality.
• Exhibit good computer skills in Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint and ability to process numbers quickly to produce charts or other documents.
• Be able to deal with multiple changes and respond quickly to a fast-paced environment.
• Perform duties in an assertive, hands‑on manner, with good attention to detail.
• Good Project/Time Management Skills.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to perform multiple tasks and obtain results working within strict time frames.
• Exposure to a metal fabrication and welding operation is a plus.
• Must possess good analytical problem‑solving skills.
• Shall possess a basic understanding of statistical concepts.
• The ability to be a fast learner with the ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Must exhibit good interpersonal skills and promote and be a “Team” player.
• Ability to travel to suppliers as required.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE (required levels)

• BA or BS degree preferred in a technical field with 5+ years of experience in Supplier Quality or a related field in a manufacturing environment.
• Must understand quality certifications such as, ISO 9001 and preferably IATF 16949.
• Experience with statistical analysis software and quality tools.
• Experience supporting new product introduction, supplier changes and supplier development initiatives.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma principles is a plus.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; reach with hands, arms, and shoulders. The employee is occasionally required to walk; sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk and hear. The employee occasionally will be required hand lift and/or move objects up to 50 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.