Supplier Development Engineer

Summary
The Supplier Development Engineer works in a Tier-1 mid/high-volume environment that mostly involves the machining and assembly of powertrain components for large diesel engines. This role is responsible for ensuring that purchased materials and components (castings, forgings, machined parts, and commercial components) consistently meet Gnutti Carlo's quality, delivery, and cost requireme
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nts. The role evaluates, develops, and monitors the supply base, leads supplier activities for new product launches and engineering changes, and drives supplier corrective actions and continuous improvement, all while ensuring compliance with customer, company, and regulatory standards. This position reports to the Purchasing Manager.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
• Evaluate, audit, and qualify new and existing suppliers based on quality, technical capability, capacity, and reliability criteria, and provide supplier selection recommendations to Purchasing.
• Lead supplier-side Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) for new products and engineering changes, including feasibility reviews, process flows, PFMEAs, and Control Plans, through to PPAP review and approval.
• Conduct supplier process and system audits to verify compliance with IATF 16949, ISO 9001, customer-specific requirements, and Gnutti Carlo supplier requirements.
• Monitor supplier performance KPIs (PPM, on-time delivery, corrective action responsiveness, cost of poor quality) through supplier scorecards, and lead periodic performance reviews with suppliers.
• Lead the resolution of supplier non-conformances using structured problem-solving methods (8D, 5-Why, Root Cause Analysis), manage containment and sorting activities, and verify the effectiveness of corrective actions.
• Collaborate with suppliers to improve manufacturing processes, reduce defects and variation, and implement best practices such as SPC, capability studies, and error-proofing.
• Identify supply chain risks (single-source, capacity, quality, and financial) and develop mitigation and contingency plans to minimize disruptions to production.
• Work closely with Purchasing, Quality, Engineering, and Production to align supplier performance with company objectives and customer requirements.
• Maintain accurate supplier records and documentation in SAP and the quality management system.
• Maintain regular and relevant communication with all stakeholders, and escalate risks when necessary.
Required Qualifications
• Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, or Industrial Engineering, Supply Chain Management, or a related field.
• 5 years or more of supplier quality or supplier development experience in an automotive or heavy-duty manufacturing environment.
• Solid working knowledge of core quality tools: APQP, PPAP, FMEA, Control Plans, MSA, and SPC.
• Proven experience leading structured problem-solving with suppliers (8D, Root Cause Analysis, 5-Why).
• Solid knowledge of automotive quality standards and requirements (IATF 16949, ISO 9001, AIAG).
• Working experience with SAP.
• Technical understanding of machining processes in a production environment, as well as castings, forgings, and heat treatment.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, including GD&T.
• Experience conducting supplier process and system audits.
• Ability to travel to supplier locations as needed.
Preferred Qualifications
• P.Eng. or EIT designation is an asset.
• Certified auditor for IATF 16949 / ISO 9001, or ASQ certification (CQE, CSQP).
• Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma certification (Green Belt or higher).
• Knowledge of cost-reduction and value analysis methods with suppliers.
• Above-average user of Excel and other Microsoft Office software.
Behavioural and Professional Competencies
• Strong analytical, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, with the ability to influence suppliers and internal teams.
• Good coordination and organization, with the ability

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