Supplier Development Lead, Engineered Items (Remote)

Collins Aerospace, a leader in technologically advanced solutions for the aerospace and defense industry, is seeking a Supplier Development Lead. This role is responsible for driving supplier recovery, capability improvement, and sustainable performance through hands-on and cross-functional support.

Responsibilities:

• Lead internal and supplier containment actions in collaboration with Operations and Quality
• Facilitate supplier kick-off meetings to align expectations and establish rapid response actions
• Conduct Root Cause and Corrective Action (RCCA) investigations to resolve critical quality or delivery issues
• Coordinate with stakeholders to develop and implement improvement plans and ensure clear communication through plan review checkpoints
• Monitor leading and lagging Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to assess progress
• Evaluate whether exit criteria have been achieved for containment efforts
• Escalate persistent issues to crisis mode or tiger teams when warranted
• Partner with Commodity Teams and SBUs to ensure closed-loop feedback and transition to sustainable operations
• Lead supplier site identification and prioritize development efforts aligned with risk, impact, and strategic commodity needs
• Conduct supplier assessments using SRA, SHA, Gemba, etc
• Engage suppliers with development roadmaps, training, and targeted actions tied to maturity models and long-term growth
• Align with Commodity Managers and Engineering teams on supplier readiness for new programs or volume ramp-ups
• Facilitate structured improvement plan development, KPI tracking, and gate reviews
• Monitor progress toward achieving target maturity levels and initiate sustainment planning once development objectives are met
• Support long-term monitoring and re-engagement cycles to ensure supplier performance remains stable
• Develop and build manufacturing process technology tools and standardization include FMEA and Control Plans
• Provide leadership and/or support for supplier transitions, ensuring a smooth handover of work scope with minimal disruption
• Support the sustainment phase by monitoring supplier maturity post-transition and ensuring long-term capability
• Align with internal business units and suppliers to reinforce performance expectations and continuous improvement efforts
• Execute APQP for new product launch and work transition projects

Requirements:

• Typically requires a University Degree and minimum 8 years prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 5 years of experience
• Ability to travel to supplier sites as needed - minimum of 50% of time
• Experience leading supplier recovery efforts and supplier transitions
• Ability to conduct Root Cause and Corrective Action (RCCA) investigations for critical quality or delivery issues
• Project management experience
• Background in operations/manufacturing, engineering, quality, or supply chain with supplier-facing work
• Experience working with engineered items (castings, plastics, machining, mechanical fabrication, forgings, electrics)
• Ability to apply lean principles/tools for continuous improvement and process management
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (MS Project, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access)
• Experience with and creation of LOB (Line of Balance), WIP (Work in Progress) trackers, Clear to Build, Inch stone charts