Senior Level Supplier Development Specialist Jobs
Senior level supplier development specialist jobs place experienced professionals in charge of supplier strategy, quality systems, and the cross-functional initiatives that strengthen supply chains at scale. Roles are concentrated in Manufacturing, Aerospace & Defense, and Technology & Software, with a mix of on-site, hybrid, and remote positions available, and employers like Eaton, Rivian, and 1X hiring at this level now.
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Showing 5 of 11+ Senior Level Supplier Development Specialist jobs
Become our next FutureStarter
Are you ready to make an impact? ZF is looking for talented individuals to join our team. As a FutureStarter, you’ll have the opportunity to shape the future of mobility. Join us and be part of something extraordinary!
Sr Supplier Development Engineer
Req ID 91922 | Gray Court, United States ZF Transmissions Gray Court, LLC
Job Description
The Senior Commodity Supplier Quality Engineer is responsible for leading all supplier quality activities related to supplier assessment, Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP), supplier development, process validation, component development, and structured problem solving for outsourced production materials. The role ensures that supplier performance consistently supports ZF and external customer requirements while maintaining compliance with global quality objectives, corporate standards, and local regulatory requirements.
What you can look forward as Supplier Quality Engineer:
- Lead supplier quality and readiness activities for new product launches, supplier onboarding, and APQP/PPAP execution to ensure compliance with ZF, AIAG, VDA, and IATF standards.
- Conduct supplier assessments and audits (VDA 6.3, IATF, AIAG, and ZF-specific audits) to evaluate capability, approve new suppliers, and drive continuous improvement.
- Provide technical expertise in manufacturing processes and commodities, including feasibility studies, supplier evaluations, process reviews, engineering changes, and print-to-process verification.
- Drive supplier quality performance through KPI monitoring, defect reduction, PPM improvement, corrective action management, process capability enhancement, and supplier development initiatives.
- Apply advanced quality and problem-solving methodologies, including APQP, PFMEA, Control Plans, MSA, SPC, Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing, 8D, root cause analysis, and corrective/preventive actions.
- Support and lead supplier issue resolution and escalation management, including customer complaints, field issues, quality concerns, and APQP escalation levels for new and serial production.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with engineering, manufacturing, purchasing, and quality teams, maintaining strong supplier relationships and ensuring timely execution of quality objectives.
- Develop, maintain, and improve quality systems and documentation, while supporting regional and global supplier quality initiatives and traveling extensively (40%-70%) to supplier locations.
Your profile as Supplier Quality Engineer:
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering with 6+ years of experience in Quality, Process Engineering, and Project Management.
- Subject matter expert in Casting commodities and High-Pressure Die Casting (HPDC) components, with strong knowledge of production methods.
- Advanced problem-solving and quality expertise, including Six Sigma, SPC, PFMEA, Control Plans, GD&T, and MSA.
- Strong leadership and training capabilities, with proven ability to coach teams and drive continuous improvement.
- Effective cross-functional collaborator, skilled at working with all organizational levels to resolve complex technical and quality issues.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office tools (Excel, Access, Word, PowerPoint)
- Willing to travel extensively (40%-70%) to support business needs.
What we offer at ZF Gray Court:
A supportive collaborative team environment
Annual Incentive Plan
Paid Vacation
Personal Time
401k Plan
Health Care Benefits
Paid Holidays
A strong diversity culture
Supportive Employee Groups and community outreach activities
Be part of our ZF team as Sr Supp Dev Eng-Gen and apply now!
Contact
Vaz Lakshmi Narasimhan
DIVERSITY COMMITMENT:
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are more than just words for us. They are at the core of the ZF Way that propels our team members towards their utmost success. We strive to build and nurture a culture where inclusiveness is a natural reflex. We actively seek ways to remove barriers so that every member of ZF can rise to their full potential. We aim to embed this in our legacy through how we operate and build our products as we shape next generation mobility, safety, sustainability and social justice.
With four generations across 118 nationalities in 41 countries, ZF combines a unique variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and ideas. Together, we solve problems, drive innovation and shape next generation mobility.
Our company is committed to the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity and to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with physical and/or mental disabilities. If you are interested in applying for employment with us and are in need of accommodation or special assistance to navigate our website or to complete your application, please contact us. Requests for reasonable accommodation will be considered on a case-by-case basis. ZF is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer and is committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all job applicants and employees. Employment decisions are based upon job-related reasons regardless of an applicant's race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, marital status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by law. Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer M/F/Disability/Veteran
What does DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) mean for ZF as a company?
At ZF, we continuously strive to build and maintain a culture where inclusiveness is lived and diversity is valued. We actively seek ways to remove barriers so that all our employees can rise to their full potential. We aim to embed this vision in our legacy through how we operate and build our products as we shape the future of mobility.
Find out how we work at ZF:
Job Segment: Lean Six Sigma, Six Sigma, Quality Engineer, Compliance, Manufacturing Engineer, Management, Engineering, Legal
Become our next FutureStarter
Are you ready to make an impact? ZF is looking for talented individuals to join our team. As a FutureStarter, you’ll have the opportunity to shape the future of mobility. Join us and be part of something extraordinary!
Sr Supplier Development Engineer
Req ID 91922 | Gray Court, United States ZF Transmissions Gray Court, LLC
Job Description
The Senior Commodity Supplier Quality Engineer is responsible for leading all supplier quality activities related to supplier assessment, Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP), supplier development, process validation, component development, and structured problem solving for outsourced production materials. The role ensures that supplier performance consistently supports ZF and external customer requirements while maintaining compliance with global quality objectives, corporate standards, and local regulatory requirements.
What you can look forward as Supplier Quality Engineer:
- Lead supplier quality and readiness activities for new product launches, supplier onboarding, and APQP/PPAP execution to ensure compliance with ZF, AIAG, VDA, and IATF standards.
- Conduct supplier assessments and audits (VDA 6.3, IATF, AIAG, and ZF-specific audits) to evaluate capability, approve new suppliers, and drive continuous improvement.
- Provide technical expertise in manufacturing processes and commodities, including feasibility studies, supplier evaluations, process reviews, engineering changes, and print-to-process verification.
- Drive supplier quality performance through KPI monitoring, defect reduction, PPM improvement, corrective action management, process capability enhancement, and supplier development initiatives.
- Apply advanced quality and problem-solving methodologies, including APQP, PFMEA, Control Plans, MSA, SPC, Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing, 8D, root cause analysis, and corrective/preventive actions.
- Support and lead supplier issue resolution and escalation management, including customer complaints, field issues, quality concerns, and APQP escalation levels for new and serial production.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with engineering, manufacturing, purchasing, and quality teams, maintaining strong supplier relationships and ensuring timely execution of quality objectives.
- Develop, maintain, and improve quality systems and documentation, while supporting regional and global supplier quality initiatives and traveling extensively (40%-70%) to supplier locations.
Your profile as Supplier Quality Engineer:
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering with 6+ years of experience in Quality, Process Engineering, and Project Management.
- Subject matter expert in Casting commodities and High-Pressure Die Casting (HPDC) components, with strong knowledge of production methods.
- Advanced problem-solving and quality expertise, including Six Sigma, SPC, PFMEA, Control Plans, GD&T, and MSA.
- Strong leadership and training capabilities, with proven ability to coach teams and drive continuous improvement.
- Effective cross-functional collaborator, skilled at working with all organizational levels to resolve complex technical and quality issues.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office tools (Excel, Access, Word, PowerPoint)
- Willing to travel extensively (40%-70%) to support business needs.
What we offer at ZF Gray Court:
A supportive collaborative team environment
Annual Incentive Plan
Paid Vacation
Personal Time
401k Plan
Health Care Benefits
Paid Holidays
A strong diversity culture
Supportive Employee Groups and community outreach activities
Be part of our ZF team as Sr Supp Dev Eng-Gen and apply now!
Contact
Vaz Lakshmi Narasimhan
DIVERSITY COMMITMENT:
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are more than just words for us. They are at the core of the ZF Way that propels our team members towards their utmost success. We strive to build and nurture a culture where inclusiveness is a natural reflex. We actively seek ways to remove barriers so that every member of ZF can rise to their full potential. We aim to embed this in our legacy through how we operate and build our products as we shape next generation mobility, safety, sustainability and social justice.
With four generations across 118 nationalities in 41 countries, ZF combines a unique variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and ideas. Together, we solve problems, drive innovation and shape next generation mobility.
Our company is committed to the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity and to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with physical and/or mental disabilities. If you are interested in applying for employment with us and are in need of accommodation or special assistance to navigate our website or to complete your application, please contact us. Requests for reasonable accommodation will be considered on a case-by-case basis. ZF is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer and is committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all job applicants and employees. Employment decisions are based upon job-related reasons regardless of an applicant's race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, marital status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by law. Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer M/F/Disability/Veteran
What does DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) mean for ZF as a company?
At ZF, we continuously strive to build and maintain a culture where inclusiveness is lived and diversity is valued. We actively seek ways to remove barriers so that all our employees can rise to their full potential. We aim to embed this vision in our legacy through how we operate and build our products as we shape the future of mobility.
Find out how we work at ZF:
Job Segment: Lean Six Sigma, Six Sigma, Quality Engineer, Compliance, Manufacturing Engineer, Management, Engineering, Legal
See All 11 Senior Level Supplier Development Specialist Jobs
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Senior Level Supplier Development Specialist Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a senior level supplier development specialist job?
Employers hiring at the senior level look for candidates who have led supplier qualification programs, driven measurable improvements in supplier performance, and influenced sourcing decisions beyond their immediate team. A strong candidate demonstrates deep knowledge of quality systems such as APQP or PPAP, experience managing global supplier relationships, and the ability to mentor junior engineers. Cross-functional project leadership and a history of cost or risk reduction outcomes give candidates a clear edge.
Which companies hire senior level supplier development specialists?
Companies hiring senior level supplier development specialists right now include Eaton, Rivian, and 1X, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Hiring at this level tends to concentrate among manufacturers, aerospace and defense contractors, and large industrial or automotive companies with complex, multi-tier supply chains that require experienced professionals to own supplier performance and risk.
Are there remote senior level supplier development specialist jobs?
Yes, though many roles require periodic on-site supplier visits or plant presence. About 25% of senior level supplier development specialist openings are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting employer flexibility for experienced professionals who can manage supplier relationships and quality programs with less direct oversight. Fully remote roles are more common in program management or strategic sourcing functions than in hands-on quality engineering roles.
What makes a supplier development specialist role senior level?
Senior level roles are defined by ownership and scope rather than task execution. A senior supplier development specialist sets the direction for supplier improvement programs, owns supplier qualification and risk mitigation decisions, and leads initiatives that cross organizational boundaries. They are expected to mentor junior staff, represent the supply chain function in cross-functional forums, and develop strategies that align supplier capabilities with long-term business goals.
Which industries hire the most senior level supplier development specialists?
Senior level supplier development specialist roles concentrate in Manufacturing, Aerospace & Defense, and Technology & Software, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. These sectors drive hiring because they depend on complex, regulated, or high-volume supply chains where supplier performance directly affects product quality, delivery, and compliance, making experienced development professionals essential rather than optional.