SUPPLIER DEVELOPMENT ENGINEER

Job Overview

TE Connectivity's Supplier Development Teams find and develop suppliers to support the strategic sourcing organization in driving incremental performance in supplier quality, delivery, price and service. They teach new suppliers on how to work with TE (portal access, e-procurement tool usage, TE procedures, etc.). They extend TE Operational Advantage into the supply base to generate continuous improvement in the extended value stream, deliver incremental improvements through supplier development lead projects and achieve improvement targets specific for supplier development. They also help drive selection and development of the best total cost supply option in the region where the commodity or service is consumed. They keep abreast of emerging market options and inform the broader procurement organization of trends and new supply options.

What your background should look like:

Responsibilities:

Lead cross-functional teams to develop and improve supplier capabilities, ensuring alignment with TE’s strategic goals in quality, cost, delivery, technology, and sustainability.

1. Strategic Leadership & Cross-Functional Coordination

• Drive supplier development initiatives by leading Souring, SQE, MPDE, Engineering, and other stakeholders to assess, qualify, and improve suppliers.
• Facilitate alignment between functions (e.g., Quality’s audit standards, Procurement’s commercial requirements, Engineering’s technical specs) to ensure unified supplier expectations.

2. Supplier Qualification & Onboarding

New suppliers:

• Own the New supplier pre-assessment process / Lead onboarding programs for new suppliers, coordinating inputs from Quality (audit criteria), Procurement (commercial viability), and Engineering (technical capability).
• Implement new supplier performance monitoring, conducting regular evaluations of quality, delivery, and service KPIs during the first 3 months post-onboarding until full compliance with TE requirements is achieved
• Approved Supplier
• Host cross-functional supplier improvement workshops for critical supplier issues (5 suppliers/Year) (e.g., CoPQ reduction, lead time optimization) as a neutral facilitator, ensuring actions are owned by respective functions:
• Monitor progress and escalate functional accountability gaps (e.g., Quality’s audit follow-up, Procurement’s cost targets).
• Supplier Training Program, train Next/ approved suppliers on TE systems/procedures, collaborating with subject-matter experts (e.g., Quality for quality index, Procurement for commercial) as requested.
• backup role: Quality issue handling and Problem-Solving activities, performs systematic/process audit when SQE function is not available in the region.

 

Qualifications:

• B.S. degree (or equivalent) in Electrical/Mechanical/Industrial Engineering, or related field
• At least 5 years of experience within connector and cable assembly Quality Management portion. Procurement is a plus.
• Expert Knowledge on ISO 9001, IATF16949,LEAN Tools and other Industry Standards
• Certified ISO 9001 auditor by 2nd party auditor.
• Strong project based management experience
• Expert knowledge on material management system
• Demonstrated skills in a matrix environment
• Knowledge on specific product and process as required (e.g. Molding, Stamping, Mechanical Assembly, PAB/PCBA, diecasting…)
• Expert level with the tools related to supplier APQP process, include but not limited to PPAP, FMEA, CP, MSA, SPC, R@R and 8D methodology.
• Ability to work across cultures and geographies effectively.
• Thorough knowledge of Problem-Solving tools (5-Why, Ishikawa/Fishbone diagrams, Fault Tree Analysis)
• Auditor Skills
• Strong MES and delivery improvement knowledge
• Basic knowledge of GD&T
• Strong Presentation skills
• Strong Communication and negotiation skills
• Strong Coaching skills
• Business accumbent regarding part cost structure / breakdown

 

 

Competencies