Senior Supplier Development Engineer

Job Summary:

The Senior Supplier Development Engineer is focused on the ABS supplier selection, evaluation, and management of components development.  They are responsible for ensuring the Supplier Development Management System status is developed to supply ABS with high quality components. Supplier Development ensures that supplying companies’ systems, processes and build capabilities meet the design intent of the customer and are compliant with the end customer’s needs. This includes initial supply chain company verification and working in a team environment as a key resource for the component teams to develop new supply sources to improve cost competitiveness and be the conduit between the company and the supplier. In the event there are non-conformances, they are responsible for quickly and effectively taking necessary actions to partner with the supplier to identify root-cause analysis and resolve the problem.  

Responsibilities: 

• Lead all reports involving Supplier Performance, Supplier Improvement Plans, and Supplier readiness status.  Include holding quality review meetings with suppliers.
• Assess new and existing supplier capabilities to meet product, cost, quality, capacity, and fulfillment ensuring suppliers can meet requirements for performance, quality, cost and delivery of components and requirements for IATF 16949, ISO 9001, ASIL and other applicable customer and internal system and reputation requirements.
• Drive improvements utilizing Lean methodologies, supplier scorecards and own supplier audit, ensuring supplier compliance, whilst driving systematic problem solving and process improvement plans to deliver value. 
• Provide technical expertise and leadership in sourcing and development of suppliers with respect to technology, performance, quality, cost, logistics and delivery.
• Provide leadership during investigations of major problems and or special projects focusing on developing working relationships with suppliers and the supply chain regarding product development and procurement of parts 
• Responsible for leading the solution for supplier component concerns, driving Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP), supplier validation audits, supplier selection, Production Part Approval Process (PPAP), customer interaction, supplier interaction, Value Analysis/Value Engineering (VA/VE) support, supplier component development and approval and supplier cost improvements.
• Train Supplier Development Engineering staff, including providing direction and alignment on audit schedules, supplier development activities needed and supplier improvement tasks.
• Work with Engineering (Design and Manufacturing Engineers) team to define process parameters and criteria to ensure supplier process capability is effective to meet product and process requirements.
• Review engineering and manufacturing specifications to identify materials needed for product assembly for all manufactured goods.
• Conduct supplier quality control audits to ensure vendors and their supplies remain in compliance with company and federal manufacturing and production standards.
• Communicate with vendors regularly to address any concerns and foster an environment that facilitates continual improvement in working relationships.
• Maintain Supplier Portal and drive capture of criteria and reporting efforts including supplier scorecards issuance to suppliers.
• Adhere to federal and state regulations.
• Adhere to all company policies, processes, and procedures.
• Performs other duties as requested, directed, or assigned. 
• Predictable and reliable attendance.

Position Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering.
• Minimum of five (5) years’ experience managing a certified quality management system (e.g. TS 16949, ISO).
• Minimum of four (4) years of driving continuous quality improvement in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience in the automotive industry; Battery, Electronics, or Powertrain manufacturing preferred.
• Exceptional mechanical or electrical aptitude and understanding.
• Previous work experience in an organization that supplied large OEM’s.
• Customer quality assurance experience.
• Previous audit experience.

Key Competencies: 

• Focuses on Quality: Drives work results with quality focus in actions and results.
• Takes Calculated Risks: Takes calculated risks to achieve goals. Finds a balance between analysis and action. When fails, accepts it, learns from it, and moves on to the next challenge.
• Decision Making & Analysis: Makes sound decisions based upon a mixture of data-driven analysis, expertise, experience, and judgment; collects relevant information, seeking input from others, and identifies connections and/or root causes of problems.
• Takes Initiative: Exhibits strong drive for results and success; conveys a sense of urgency and drives issues to closure; persists despite obstacles and opposition.
• Integrity: Acts and makes decisions in a manner consistent with the needs of the public in delivery of products/services. Acts in line with the culture and norms of both the organization and society in general.
• Leads Change: Persistently moves in the face of ambiguity, dilemmas, and resistance to get completion of changes in an organized way; adapts with flexibility to and copes with changing situations while maintaining focus on goals.
• Continual Improvement: Displays a consistent orientation toward producing the highest quality products or services, while keeping a focus on sustainability.  Constantly looking for incremental improvements in work processes and results.
• Partnership Development:  Establishes productive and effective relationships with both internal and external stakeholders.

Physical Requirements / Working Conditions:

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Constantly operates a computer, and other office equipment. 
• Ability to adjust focus, especially due to concentration on a computer screen. 
• May need to lift and carry up to 30 pounds and/or position the body to reach items on the floor/below knee level or reach overhead. 
• The person in this position needs to occasionally move about in industrial environments, and uneven terrain. 
• Works in temperature-controlled office environment, with occasional work in outdoor weather conditions, and in industrial environments.
• The noise level in the work environment can be moderately loud.

Why Join Us

American Battery Solutions (ABS) provides comprehensive 100% employer paid benefit plans to employees and their family, competitive salary and retirement program. ABS employs a diverse and inclusive workforce.

Benefits Overview

• Paid time off includes 3 weeks vacation, up to 72 hours sick, 15 holidays, and parental leave.
• 100% company-paid medical, dental, vision, short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance.
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA) offerings.
• Company provided 401K savings plan with immediately vested matching contributions to help you save for retirement.
• Voluntary benefits offerings.
• Tuition assistance.
• Employee Referral Program.
• Employee development and career growth opportunities.

About Us

American Battery Solutions Inc. (“ABS”) is a manufacturer of advanced batteries for commercial, fleet, and industrial on- and off-road vehicles. Located in the heart of the U.S. automotive region with facilities in Michigan and Ohio. In 2023, ABS was acquired by Komatsu, a world leader in construction, mining, forestry, and industrial heavy equipment in support of Komatsu’s 2050 carbon neutrality goal. ABS continues to operate as an independent entity serving Komatsu applications while continuing to expand and grow our core commercial, fleet and industrial business. 

As we have grown, ABS has assembled a world-class team of dedicated and experienced engineers. This team is equipped with a deep understanding of high-voltage, automotive-grade battery systems from concept development and prototyping, to testing and validation, to high-volume production. We pride ourselves on developing a diverse team of next generation battery experts.

The Location - Lake Orion 

American Battery Solutions Headquarters and Innovation Center is located in the heart of South-East Michigan in Orion Township. Orion Township is a Pure Michigan Trail Town that has a long-standing dedication to enhancing trails and pathways in its community, which is home to the Polly Ann Trail, Paint Creek Trail, and Iron Belle Trail. The township boasts more than 50 miles of trails. Southeast Michigan also boasts some of the best eating around! Whether your interest is in furthering your education, enjoying one of the many regional sporting events, or enjoying the vast outdoors that Michigan has to offer, you’ll be at the center of it here!

AMERICAN BATTERY SOLUTIONS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.