Associate Manager, Supplier Development

The Associate Manager of Supplier Development is responsible for strengthening and developing IHI Turbo America’s supplier base through supplier performance management, commercial negotiations, cost improvement, capacity planning, risk management, and supplier relationships. The Associate Manager will also support the Supplier Development Manager in building a stronger and more structured Supplier Development function.

PRINCIPLE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead commercial negotiations with suppliers, including pricing, cost reductions, commercial terms, and other business considerations.
• Monitor and drive overall supplier performance, with particular focus on delivery, responsiveness, capacity, cost, and business requirements.
• Develop supplier improvement plans for suppliers that are not meeting performance expectations.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with key suppliers.
• Support supplier selection, onboarding, development, and long-term supplier strategy.
• Identify supplier capacity constraints and work with suppliers to develop appropriate plans.
• Identify and help mitigate supplier and supply-chain risks.
• Lead supplier cost-reduction and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support sourcing activities, supplier changes, new programs, and production launches.
• Participate in supplier readiness reviews, capacity planning meetings, and risk management activities.
• Conduct supplier visits and business reviews.
• Collaborate with Purchasing, SQA, Engineering, Operations, Logistics, Program Management, Finance, and Manufacturing teams.
• Partner with SQA on supplier issues while maintaining clear ownership between commercial/performance responsibilities and supplier quality responsibilities.
• Develop and maintain supplier performance metrics, scorecards, and reporting.
• Assist with escalation and recovery activities when supplier performance threatens production or customer requirements.
• Support compliance with IATF 16949, ISO 9001, customer-specific requirements, and internal supplier management procedures.
• Support development and standardization of Supplier Development processes.
• Assist the Supplier Development Manager with department priorities, supplier strategy, and workload management.
• Provide leadership and direction to Supplier Development team members as assigned.
• Serve as backup for the Supplier Development Manager when needed.

· Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, Business, Engineering, Manufacturing, or related field preferred, or equivalent experience.

· Experience in supplier development, purchasing, sourcing, supply chain, manufacturing, or a related field.

· Automotive/Tier 1 manufacturing experience preferred.

· Strong supplier negotiation and relationship-management skills.

· Understanding of supplier cost structures and commercial negotiations.

· Experience managing supplier performance and improvement activities.

· Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

· Ability to manage multiple suppliers, projects, and priorities.

· Strong communication and cross-functional leadership skills.

· Ability to travel to supplier locations as required.