Supplier Development Engineer

78 years and countless innovations later, JCB is the world’s largest privately-owned manufacturer of construction and agricultural equipment. At 22 plants spanning four continents—and countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, India and Brazil—JCB manufactures a range of more than 300 products including Loadall telescopic handlers, backhoeloaders, excavators, wheel loaders, compact excavators, skid steer loaders, compact track loaders, Accessaerial work platforms, rough terrain forklifts, and Fastrac tractors.

JCB people are at the heart of our business and as a family-owned business we answer to our customers, not a group of shareholders. That freedom allows us to concentrate on developing the latest technologies and incorporating them into our equipment. We focus on what our customer needs on the jobsite – a machine that holds up in the toughest environment and increases their productivity.

At JCB, we stand behind our products – and our name.

Position Purpose

Reporting directly to Senior Procurement Manager, the role is responsible for working with production component and critical indirect suppliers in order to sustain a level of operational performance that satisfies business expectations.

As such, the role is primarily responsible for the continuous improvement of Quality, Capability, Warranty and Delivery with the supply base.

A key element of the role is therefore to ensure the timely and robust resolution to escalated problems relating to the above and to ensure a ‘Right First Time’ approach to NPIP is adopted and achieved.

Major Tasks, Responsibilities & Key Accountabilities

• Supplier Performance & Delivery: Assess and drive an improvement program with a group of nominated suppliers to help them reach and maintain the required level of performance.
  • Support the Group Quality Vision with regards to incoming material targets and supplier performance.
  • Drive improvement in supplier Quality & Warranty performance.
  • Support the closure of all supplier Quality and Warranty concerns that are escalated.
  • Support machine specific improvement program that supports Quality objectives and closes current product PCM’s.
  • Ensure that all supplier Delivery and Capacity concerns being escalated are closed to achieve satisfactory resolutions.
  • Work with the critical suppliers to ensure their capability is proven and action plans are all in place.
  • Report a set of transparent Key Performance Indicators with regards to the supply base performance.
  • Mitigate potential risk to the business as a consequence of poor performing suppliers.
  • Support key category process audits to identify and mitigate risk and ensure compliance to JCB standards.
• New Product Introduction: Lead the Product Launch Activity for nominated parts to ensure a timely and effective launch of new machines.
  • Lead the Launch Readiness activity to ensure that an appropriate program is in place, executed and reported.
  • Create and publish a reporting mechanism to track the launch activity taking place.
  • Manage escalations relating to late readiness or late approval of parts required for NPIP programs.
  • Ensure that there is an effective communication program in place for systemic issues discovered within the supply base.
  • Manage PCM closures in line with the timing requirements of the program.
  • Audit any new suppliers, new manufacturing locations and / or any new processes being introduced as part of the NPIP program.
• Relationship Management: To provide an operational interface between JCB Business Units and JCB external component supply base, in relation to bought-out commodities.
  • Build relationships at appropriate levels within the organization to support the effective closure of any escalated quality or delivery issues.
  • Work closely with the plants and service teams to improve the overall Supplier Quality performance within JCB.
  • Develop relevant relationships with key contacts within the supply base to facilitate unplanned supplier visits.
  • Develop external relationships that will influence the supplier decision making process and ensure priority responses.
  • Work with the NPIP teams to identify and mitigate potential disruption to builds.
  • Work with the Group Purchasing Sustainability Champion and support relevant Sustainability & Environmental initiatives.
• Teamwork & Self Development: Shares best practice and lessons learned with peers to support others with objectives whilst driving personal development plan.
  • Ensure that there is effective communication between all Supplier Development Engineers.
  • Provide advice and support to commercial teams with regards to supplier performance and capability.
  • Understands the business performance requirements and effectively communicates to the supply base.
  • Circulates PCM’s and / or visit reports promptly following visits and take ownership in closing out all issues.
  • Drives their personal development.
  • Ensures adherence to and understanding of Purchasing policies and procedures.
  • Collaborate with Lean activity in order to support financial initiatives.

Minimum Qualifications

• 3-5 years relevant experience of an equivalent role within a manufacturing environment.
• Holding and building senior relationships within a global / matrix organization.
• Graduate calibre in manufacturing or engineering, with particular emphasis on quality management, materials management, and lean manufacturing.
• Preferably with professional qualifications – Six sigma certification to Green Belt level is preferred.

Preferred Qualifications

• Total quality management.
• Lean manufacturing process / systems.
• New product introduction experience.
• Advanced product quality planning.
• Production parts approval process.
• 8D Problem solving.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & Competencies

• Proven change and project management skills
• Strong interpersonal communication skills
• Conflict resolution skills
• Influential dexterity
• Proficient in Microsoft Office software
• Comfortable in an in-person office environment
• Technical competence is a plus
• Must be customer service oriented, flexible, and have a high energy level
• Must have excellent follow-through skills
• Must have a professional, polished, and sophisticated demeanor and be comfortable in most social settings
• Must be open to domestic and international travel
• Desire and proven ability to learn and grow

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to:

• Sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.
• The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk.
• The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

JCB is an equal employment opportunities (EEO) employer in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. JCB complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. EEO EMPLOYER/VET/DISABLED

Apply Now

Other details

• Job Family Supply Chain
• Pay Type Salary