What are the responsibilities and job description for the Supplier Development Engineer position at Optimas Solutions?
Supplier Development Engineer
About Optimas:
Optimas is a global distributor of integrated supply chain solutions, and engineering support focused on delivering fasteners, components, industrial and safety supplies to our diverse customers around the world. Our local, on-the-ground teams understand the nuances of every community we serve. This allows us to adapt with our customers and partners as needs evolve, leveraging our footprint to remain at your side while providing a highly personalized level of service and support no matter where you find yourself around the globe.
To learn more about our company, please visit our website http://www.optimas.com/
Position overview:
We are seeking a flexible, self-starting, and highly-driven Supplier Development Engineer to lead, manage, and monitor the performance, quality, and continuous improvement of our global supplier base. This role is critical in ensuring that suppliers meet our standards for quality, delivery, cost, and innovation, and will play a key role in supporting new product introductions, resourcing initiatives, and strategic sourcing projects.
The Supplier Development Engineer will be responsible for evaluating supplier capabilities, driving corrective actions, and implementing robust development plans to enhance supplier performance. This position will also support cross-functional teams—including sourcing, quality, engineering, and operations—to ensure alignment on supplier strategies and execution.
This dynamic role requires a balance of technical acumen, project management skills, and data-driven decision-making. The ideal candidate will be comfortable leading supplier audits, managing performance metrics, and communicating progress and risks to stakeholders, customers, and senior leadership. Additionally, the role involves maintaining data integrity and providing accurate, actionable insights that support long-term supplier performance and strategic planning.
Main responsibilities:
- Oversee the onboarding of new suppliers, ensuring full understanding and compliance with requirements (Feasibility, APQP, NPI, PPAP, Compliance, Delivery & Packaging).
- Ensure regional suppliers are in compliance with the Supplier Manual and ethical requirements.
- Add new assigned suppliers to the Approved Supplier List and maintain their status.
- Schedule, manage, and conduct both planned and unplanned supplier audits.
- Ensure suppliers submit required self-assessments for any identified specific audit and continuous improvement tools (e.g., CQI-9, 11, 12, etc.).
- Support Strategic Sourcing, Category Management, Commercial & Bid, and New Item Introduction teams, including but not limited to: new product introduction at assigned suppliers through the Supplier APQP Process, conducting supplier APQP reviews, and initial audits.
- Assist the PPAP GCOE problem resolution.
- Support Strategic Sourcing & Category Management in all assigned new supplier activities, supplier development, and cost (EBITDA) enhancement activities linked to supplier agreements.
- Facilitate supplier problem-solving activities as required by the business, including support for Quality Engineering teams with suppliers failing to resolve quality concerns.
- Schedule, manage, and support all required supplier COPQ activities with assigned suppliers.
- Conduct supplier training activities, including but not limited to APQP, PPAP, and Concern Management / 8D with all assigned suppliers.
- Actively support the Supplier Development Manager in continuous improvement of current systems and processes, as well as the development of new processes/systems.
- Represent the Supplier Development function in all assigned regional, internal, and supplier management reviews and audits as requested.
- Ensure adherence to all processes and procedures applicable to the role and maintain readily available records.
Key Competencies:
- Strategic Vision.
- Ability to work both collaboratively and independently.
- Building organizational capacity.
- Results driven.
- Embrace change.
- Collaboration and Influence (Internally & externally).
- Entrepreneurial spirit.
- Customer value and Market focus
Skills and Qualifications required:
- 5 years of experience in a Supplier or Quality Engineering role
- Metallurgical or Engineering Qualification preferred
- Proven experience in a Quality Role.
- Understanding of Quality Management Systems.
- Lead Auditor Qualification (IATF 16949 or VDA 6.3).
- Six Sigma Qualification (Green Belt Minimum).
- Working knowledge of APQP, FMEA, Control Plan, MSA, SPC, PPAP & 8D, including Problem Solving techniques.
- Understanding of Lean Manufacturing Toolbox.
- Knowledge of fasteners and associated manufacturing processes.
- Ability to use or understand the use of a wide range of measurements and test equipment.
- Ability to interpret engineering drawings / specifications.
- Ability to travel 25-50% and work away from home - frequent regional travel (car, train or plane).
- Full driving license.
- Computer literate (PowerPoint, Excel & Word).
- A strong character with effective communication skills both by email, phone, and in person.
- Ability to multi-task to meet deadlines yet with good attention to detail.
SDM Description 5/12/2025 Rev 3
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