How you will make an impact:
- Lead and maintain risk-based programs for assessing existing suppliers, identification and assessment of potential new suppliers and de-risking of the Merrimack Manufacturing approved supplier list.
- Work with suppliers to optimize tooling, part manufacturing and assembly processes for highest quality, on-time delivery, competitive pricing and no latent defects.
- Function as technical liaison with the supplier on tooling, manufacturing, and assembly process development, ensuring the capability of the process to produce parts to specification.
- Team with colleagues to drive the appropriate APQP activities (process flow document, PFMEA, Control Plans, etc.) in a timely manner.
- Assist with Design Transfer activities as project moves from development to volume production.
- Work with Supply Chain team members to identify new suppliers and to evaluate supplier's technical and manufacturing capabilities.
- Perform required up-front supplier evaluations, capacity-capabilities assessments, required periodic audits and for-cause audits.
- Support the Quality department and Supply Chain team in regards to larger scoped non-conformance reporting, working with suppliers to resolve quality issues and hold periodic scheduled meetings with suppliers as needed.
What you need to be successful in this role:
- Minimum of a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Plastics or Manufacturing) required.
- Solid technical background in physics and engineering disciplines with appropriate experience acceptable.
- Strong understanding of engineering materials including thermoplastics, elastomers, metals, surface treatments and materials specifications (MIL, ISO, ASTM, etc.).
- Familiarity with medical product development and ISO / FDA compliance requirements
- Minimum 4+ years experience with supplier development, supplier quality and/or supply chain engineering. Experience with supply chain and supplier quality strategies is necessary.
- Experience across a wide range of commodity groups including machined components, molded components, electronic boards, cable assemblies, COTS, and other items.
- Experience in supplier development activities from initial investigations, quotations, prototype, qualification and approved supplier list entry.
- Experience with ERP systems, approved supplier lists, NCRs, SCARs and supplier metric tools.
- Estimated 25% travel performing audits, capability-capacity evaluations and supplier assessments. Most travel is domestic within North America with some infrequent travel overseas required.
- Program management experience a plus. Must be able to lead meetings, document minutes of meetings and follow-up on action items.
- Experience working with North American, European and Asian suppliers a plus.
- Must be able to effectively communicate with supplier colleagues including net-based meetings, telephone, on-site supplier visits, report authoring and e-mails.
