Supplier Development & Inventory Strategy Lead (IQMS)

Build a Supplier Ecosystem That Powers Production

We’re looking for a hands-on leader to shape purchasing strategy, sharpen IQMS processes, and keep materials flowing flawlessly for current production and new launches. If you thrive at the intersection of sourcing, data, and operations, you’ll excel here.

Your Mission

• Design and enforce policies for purchasing, MRO, VMI, capital requests, and all material activities.
• Coach Materials Buyers with measurable goals and performance outcomes.
• Implement systems that consistently exceed customer production requirements.
• Partner with the General Manager and leadership to meet company objectives.
• Publish clear guidance for purchasing systems and procedures.
• Oversee responsible disposition of surplus materials.
• Approve requisitions and POs; ensure compliance with policy.
• Track market conditions and lead times; assess availability, cost trends, and price variance; deliver market analysis reports.
• Review PO claims and contracts to align with company standards.
• Audit, certify, and maintain an approved supplier list.
• Launch programs to onboard competitive suppliers and materials rapidly.
• Negotiate pricing, discounts, and schedules; define sourcing strategies supporting new product timelines and maintaining continuity of supply for current products.
• Issue RFQs/RFPs, evaluate bids, negotiate awards, and manage contracts to lift quality, delivery, and cost performance.
• Own inventory results: availability up, inventory down—via cycle counts, E&O review, controls against unallocated growth, and better turns.
• Engineer IQMS workflows that deliver on-time, in-spec materials at optimal stock levels; safeguard purchasing data accuracy.
• Reduce total cost through value analysis, alternate sourcing, and strategic partnerships; leverage user requirements, supplier capabilities, and market/legislative insights.
• Document and integrate requirements from internal stakeholders.
• Implement and champion IQMS modules; validate system accuracy to protect inventory integrity and flow.
• Coordinate with customers and suppliers to meet contractual commitments.
• Additional duties may be assigned; performance will be measured in part by the responsibilities above.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred; or 3–5 years relevant experience/training; or equivalent mix.
• 3+ years in a supervisory capacity.
• Automotive experience with OEM system knowledge.
• Excellent communication and organization; adept at coordinating meetings.
• Plus: experience in inventory management, logistics, shipping/receiving.
• Preferred: familiarity with injection mold design.

Licenses & Technical Strengths

• Valid driver’s license.
• Deep background in plastics materials and processing.
• Advanced computer literacy; capable with spreadsheets and word processing.

Capabilities

• Interpret business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, and government regulations.
• Produce clear reports, correspondence, and procedural manuals.
• Present to managers, clients, customers, and public groups with confidence.
• Apply probability/statistics and core geometry/trigonometry.
• Work fluently with fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions.
• Solve practical problems with diverse variables under limited standardization.
• Follow instructions in written, oral, diagram, or schedule formats.

Physical & Environmental

• Regular verbal/auditory communication; frequent standing, walking, manual dexterity, and reaching.
• Occasional climbing/balancing; stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling; tasting/smelling as required.
• Periodic lifting/moving up to 50 lbs.
• Vision: close, distance, color, peripheral, depth, and focus adjustment.
• Occasional exposure to moving machinery and outdoor conditions; generally quiet noise level.

Accessibility & Compliance

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

These are duties that the person holding this job MUST be able to perform. The company makes accommodation on request, if the accommodation is reasonable, to allow otherwise qualified applicants to perform these functions.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORKING CONDITIONS

: The physical demands, work environment factors and mental functions described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.