Supplier Development Specialist

Role Overview

Employment and Level

• Employment type is full-time.
• The listed level is mid-level to senior.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop supplier development strategies aligned with procurement and business objectives.
• Identify, evaluate, and develop new and existing suppliers.
• Assess supplier capabilities, capacity, quality systems, production processes, and operational performance.
• Monitor supplier performance across quality, cost, delivery, responsiveness, and service levels.
• Develop supplier metrics, scorecards, KPIs, and improvement plans.
• Address performance gaps through corrective and preventive actions.
• Conduct supplier assessments, audits, reviews, and capability evaluations.
• Build collaborative relationships with strategic suppliers and business partners.
• Support negotiations on cost, quality, capacity, lead times, and commercial requirements.
• Identify cost reduction, process improvement, productivity, and supply chain optimization opportunities.
• Support onboarding, qualification, development, approval, risk management, and business continuity initiatives.
• Analyze supplier data, market trends, pricing movements, and industry developments.

Requirements

• Proven experience in supplier development, procurement, strategic sourcing, supply chain management, or a related field.
• Strong understanding of supplier performance management, sourcing, procurement, and supply chain operations.
• Experience evaluating supplier capabilities, quality, cost, capacity, and delivery performance.
• Strong analytical, negotiation, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Experience with supplier audits, corrective actions, performance improvement, or supplier qualification is preferred.
• Strong understanding of procurement processes, supplier contracts, and commercial negotiations.
• Excellent communication, relationship management, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to work with suppliers, cross-functional teams, and senior management.
• Experience with ERP, SRM, procurement, or supply chain systems is an advantage.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel and data analysis tools.
• Knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma, quality management, or continuous improvement is preferred.
• A related bachelor's degree is preferred.

Travel

• Willingness to travel to supplier locations when required.

What We Offer

• Opportunity to develop and strengthen strategic supplier networks.
• Exposure to procurement, strategic sourcing, supply chain optimization, supplier quality, and cost improvement.
• Opportunity to work directly with suppliers and cross-functional teams on high-impact initiatives.
• Potential progression into senior supplier development, strategic sourcing, procurement, supply chain, or head of procurement roles.
• Collaborative, performance-driven, supply-chain-focused environment with training, mentorship, and professional development.
• Competitive compensation, performance incentives, and comprehensive benefits package.