Supplier Development Engineer - American Battery Solutions

Job Summary

The Supplier Development Engineer is a hands-on position focused on the ABS supplier selection, evaluation, and management of components development. Our SDE is 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, this role will quickly and effectively take necessary actions to partner with the supplier to identify root-cause analysis and resolve the problem.

Responsibilities

• Interface with component teams to prioritize supplier development needs by component to improve cost competitiveness or supply constraints.
• Drive supplier selection through robust qualification processes.
• 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 TS 16949, ISO 9001, 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
• Track the supplier’s performance indicators, support, and publish their scorecards. Dependent upon their rankings, facilitate and develop the supply base’s ability to consistently meet or exceed defined expectations.
• Act as a consultant to communicate and coach the Quality, Manufacturing, Engineering, and procurement organizations to drive cost-effective improvements to Quality and Manufacturing processes, minimizing waste, introducing new products and improving product design.
• 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), 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.
• Carry out new supplier validation audits, with supplier support and supplier Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP).
• Assist with new product launches by working with suppliers to ensure that key milestones are achieved.
• Work with the Engineering team (Design and Manufacturing Engineers) to define process parameters and criteria to ensure supplier process capability is effective to meet product and process requirements.
• Keep up with current and developing manufacturing and engineering trends that concern product quality.
• Contribute to continuous improvement activities.
• Write reports and present progress at project meetings and to clients.
• Conduct benchmarking studies to determine best practices/designs and future trends.
• Perform root cause analysis and resolve problems, promoting initiatives to improve quality.
• 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.
• Understand and interpret all manufacturing audits, including ISO 9001 and other industry standards.
• Maintain a supplier database and include performance evaluations and quality control audits in the database for in-house access by company and manufacturing management personnel.
• Driving supplier quality performance, including new product development and product quality improvement.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Predictable and reliable attendance.

Position Qualifications

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

Key Competencies

• Focuses on Quality: Drives work results with a quality focus on 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

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 essential functions.

• 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 a 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 4 weeks, 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 – Springboro, OH

American Battery Solutions Advanced Battery Manufacturing Center is located in beautiful and historic Springboro Ohio. Life in Springboro is all about the quality and character of our community and that is why Springboro continues to be a top-ten-rated City to live, work, play, and raise a family. In fact, Springboro was rated #3 among the top 10 communities in greater Southwest Ohio. In essence, Springboro appeals to everyone from young families to people looking for the perfect place to retire. Our great neighborhoods, excellent schools, safety, services, and amenities all contribute to Springboro’s exceptional quality of life. Springboro offers a variety of public programming that includes outdoor concerts, festivals, and fireworks. Our residents enjoy bike and walking trails, an 18-hole public golf course, a charming and vibrant historic district, and 501 acres of parks.

AMERICAN BATTERY SOLUTIONS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.