Vendor Development Manager

Company Overview

Nikkiso Clean Energy & Industrial Gases (CE&IG) is a leading provider of cryogenic pumps, heat exchangers, process systems, turboexpanders, services, and solutions for the LH2, LNG and industrial gases industries. We are a subsidiary of Nikkiso Company Ltd, a leading industrial manufacturer headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, with over USD 1.2B in annual revenue, 8,000 + employees worldwide, and publicly traded on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

Job Overview

We are looking for an experienced Manager, Supplier Quality with 15–20 years of experience in supplier quality management, vendor development, machining, casting, and localization of components. The candidate will be responsible for developing new suppliers, improving existing supplier capabilities, localizing components for group companies, ensuring supplier quality and delivery performance, and coordinating with global teams for technical and localization requirements. The ideal candidate should have strong technical knowledge of machining and casting processes, excellent communication and presentation skills, and the ability to independently drive supplier development projects from identification through successful production.

Responsibilities

• Identify, evaluate, and develop new suppliers based on technical, quality, capacity, cost, and delivery requirements.
• Conduct supplier capability assessments and evaluate manufacturing infrastructure, processes, quality systems, and capacity.
• Develop suppliers for machined, cast, fabricated, forged, and other engineering components.
• Lead localization of imported components for group companies and global business requirements.
• Identify suitable local suppliers and develop them to meet global quality and technical standards.
• Drive localization projects from supplier identification → feasibility → sample development → validation → PPAP/approval → production stabilization.
• Resolve technical and quality issues during development in coordination with global teams.
• Ensure consistent quality of components received from suppliers.
• Monitor supplier quality performance through PPM, rejection, rework, customer complaints, and other quality KPIs.
• Drive root-cause analysis and corrective actions for supplier quality issues.
• Work closely with suppliers to implement CAPA, RCA, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Establish process controls and inspection standards at supplier locations.
• Conduct regular supplier visits and process audits.
• Development & qualification of supplier product / process of newly purchased parts through the process working with Sourcing, Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing.
• Support to Supplier process to develop suppliers and products to the point of successful/on-time Production Part Approval Process and Customer needs.
• Coordinates with engineering, manufacturing engineering, procurement and supplier quality on component quality / delivery issues and supplier initiatives to minimize the waste and control the cost, prepare monthly reports (MER).
• Provide support role to Quality to ensure supplier on-time product part approval process, Run at Rate and Delivery.
• interfaces with the suppliers' engineering, manufacturing and procurement departments the respective internal departments to drive cost effective manufacturing process improvements that optimize throughput and minimize waste.
• Perform in-depth quality system assessments across commodities to confirm supplier structure, level of lean implementation, and effectiveness of the quality management system.
• Perform annual supplier audits as required.

Authorities:

• Lead vendor development activity and overall responsible for new product development and supplier quality

Supervisory Responsibility:

• Establish and monitor supplier performance metrics covering Quality, Cost, Delivery, Development, and Service.
• Prepare supplier performance reviews and development plans
• Coordinate effectively with Global Procurement, Global Quality, Engineering, R&D, Manufacturing, Logistics, and local business teams.
• Participate in global meetings and supplier development reviews.
• Prepare and deliver professional management presentations, supplier review presentations, project updates, and performance reports.
• Responsibility to improve the performance and effectiveness of the IMS.
• Responsibility to Provide support of implementation of supplier related Engineering Changes involving major product design, process, supplier changes, as needed
• Assist company to perform cost reduction programs with suppliers, eliminate cost of rework
• Supplier assessment - Plans and conducts or ensure, supplier assessment including reporting and findings for major and minor opportunities for improvements and verifies effective closure of assessment findings by the supplier.
• Facilitate supplier design reviews encompassing supplier design simulation, testing, and validation activities to ensure delivered quality at both the proto-type and product launch phase
• Project management, Review & reporting of pending RFQ, PO, Delivery

Work Environment:

• Your work environment includes your working hours. For instance, your job may be the regular Eight thirty-to-Six type or moreover, this role routinely uses standard office equipment such as laptop, computers, another important factor that contributes to your work environment is to what extent you can grow as a professional in your job.

Physical Demands:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or listen. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus. This would require the ability to lift files, open filing cabinets and bend or stand on a stool as necessary.

Qualifications

• 15–20 years of relevant experience in Supplier Quality, Supplier Development, Vendor Development, Sourcing, or Manufacturing Engineering.
• B.E./B.Tech. – Mechanical Engineering, master’s degree in management will be an added advantage
• Strong hands-on knowledge of machining and casting processes.
• Proven experience in new supplier development and supplier qualification.
• Demonstrated experience in localization of components/parts, preferably for multinational or group companies.
• Experience in coordinating with global teams and international stakeholders.
• Strong knowledge of engineering drawings, GD&T, inspection methods, process capability, and manufacturing processes.
• Knowledge of PPAP, FMEA, RCA, and CAPA.
• Good understanding of supplier audits and quality management systems.
• Strong communication, negotiation, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to lead suppliers and cross-functional teams toward defined project objectives.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Willingness to travel to supplier locations as required.
• Strong negotiation and influential skills
• Understanding and interpretation of engineering drawings
• Good communication and interpersonal skills
• Experience as Auditor will be an added benefit
• Experience of IMS / ISO quality system
• Willing to work with people in an international environment
• Experience in machining and component manufacturing industry

Other Duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice