Supplier Development Excellence Manager

Purpose of the position

The Supplier Development Excellence Manager is responsible for driving value engineering, cost management, and supplier performance improvement initiatives. This role is pivotal in optimizing supplier capabilities, supporting new product development (NPD), and ensuring cost competitiveness through advanced cost modeling, negotiation support, and standardized process improvements. The manager will collaborate cross-functionally, lead training efforts, and deploy best practices to enhance supplier performance and operational efficiency across the organization.

Main tasks and responsibilities

Value Engineering & Cost Management: 

• Lead and advance the Value Creation procedure, providing comprehensive support to Category Supplier Development (SD) teams and ensuring the application of best practices in value engineering and cost optimization.
• Release and continuously improve Value Creation and PPAP procedures, including associated SOPs, SIPOC, and RACI frameworks. Provide training to ensure effective implementation and adherence.
• Apply should-cost modeling techniques to identify cost reduction opportunities and guide the development of tools that enable cost-effective decision-making across the supplier base.
• Conduct tear-down workshops and competitor benchmarking activities to identify cost drivers and areas for improvement, optimizing both current and future product costs.
• Oversee cost reviews for both current designs and new product designs, ensuring alignment with cost targets and Division strategies.
• Manage cost engineering activities throughout the product life cycle, focusing on design-to-cost, should-cost analysis, and cost reduction strategies.

New Product Development (NPD) Support:

• Provide expert support for NPD initiatives, ensuring that technical, quality, and delivery assurance objectives are met through design-to-cost and design-to-manufacture approaches.
• Collaborate with engineering, procurement, and category teams to identify cost drivers early in the NPD process and deliver cost-effective solutions.
• Support the execution of cost review processes, identify gaps, and drive continuous improvement to meet NPD financial and performance targets.

Capacity & Flexibility Analysis:

•  Provide expertise in conducting capacity and flexibility analysis during supplier evaluations, ensuring that suppliers are capable of meeting demand changes while maintaining cost competitiveness.
• Support negotiation processes by conducting thorough should-cost analysis and identifying potential gaps in supplier capabilities.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Work closely with cross-functional teams including procurement, engineering, quality, and operations to ensure alignment on supplier priorities, performance goals, and improvement strategies.
• Contribute to cross-functional efforts in improving sustainability, safety, quality, capacity, delivery, and cost across the supply chain.
• Participate in sourcing and concept study activities to identify cost drivers and propose technical solutions that reduce total cost.

Training & Development:

• Lead training and development initiatives for the Supplier Development team, enhancing knowledge in cost engineering, value engineering, process optimization, and supplier performance management.
• Build and maintain a culture of continuous improvement by sharing expertise and insights across the organization.

What you’ll need to succeed

Key Qualifications and Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Supply Chain Management, or related field. Master’s degree preferred.
• A minimum of 7 years of experience in supplier development, value engineering, cost management, or related fields, preferably within manufacturing or product development environments.
• Expertise in should-cost modeling, cost engineering, and cost reduction techniques.
• Strong experience in managing supplier performance, including the application of Lean Six Sigma principles.
• Proven track record in supporting new product development, with a focus on design-to-cost and design-to-manufacture methodologies.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to identify cost drivers, optimize processes, and drive cost-saving initiatives.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to work effectively across cross-functional teams and with suppliers at all levels.

Desired behavior:

• Leadership abilities with experience in coaching, mentoring, and developing cross-functional teams.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively with both internal teams and external suppliers.
• Strong negotiation skills, particularly in cost management and supplier relationship management.
• Experience in conducting capacity and flexibility analysis, supporting strategic sourcing decisions.

You will be part of

We offer you a position in a global organisation where you are challenged with interesting and diverse tasks. These tasks will provide a great opportunity for you to grow professionally.
 

Interested to join?

If you are excited about this opportunity, please submit your application in English.