[Hiring] Senior Supplier Development Lead, Machining & Mechanical Fabrication @RTX

Role Description

We are seeking to recruit a Senior Supplier Development Lead (SDL). This is a critical forward deployed role within the Global Supplier Development organisation, responsible for driving supplier recovery, capability improvement, and sustainable performance. This role is hands-on and cross-functional, supporting operational containment, supplier assessments, and execution of structured improvement plans across global commodities. The ideal candidate is both detail-oriented and strategic, capable of managing crisis situations and long-term development actions that align with business unit goals and enterprise-wide initiatives.

What You Will Do:

• Containment & Recovery:
  • Lead internal and supplier containment actions in collaboration with Operations and Quality.
  • Facilitate supplier kick-off meetings to align expectations and establish rapid response actions.
  • Conduct Root Cause and Corrective Action (RRCA) investigations to resolve critical quality or delivery issues.
  • Coordinate with stakeholders to develop and implement improvement plans and ensure clear communication through plan review checkpoints.
  • Monitor leading and lagging Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to assess progress.
  • Evaluate whether exit criteria have been achieved for containment efforts.
  • Escalate persistent issues to crisis mode or tiger teams when warranted.
  • Partner with Commodity Teams and SBUs to ensure closed-loop feedback and transition to sustainable operations.
• Supplier Development & Capability Building:
  • Lead supplier site identification and prioritise development efforts aligned with risk, impact, and strategic commodity needs.
  • Conduct supplier assessments using OCRA (Operational Capability & Risk Assessment) tool.
  • Engage suppliers with development roadmaps, training, and targeted actions tied to maturity models and long-term growth.
  • Align with Commodity Managers and Engineering teams on supplier readiness for new programs or volume ramp-ups.
  • Facilitate structured improvement plan development, KPI tracking, and gate reviews.
  • Monitor progress toward achieving target maturity levels and initiate sustainment planning once development objectives are met.
  • Support long-term monitoring and re-engagement cycles to ensure supplier performance remains stable.
  • Develop and build manufacturing process technology tools and standardisation including FMEA and Control Plans.
• Transition Management & Leadership:
  • Provide leadership and/or support for supplier transitions, ensuring a smooth handover of work scope with minimal disruption.
  • Support the sustainment phase by monitoring supplier maturity post-transition and ensuring long-term capability.
  • Align with internal business units and suppliers to reinforce performance expectations and continuous improvement efforts.
  • Execute APQP for new product launch and work transition projects.

Qualifications

• The ideal candidate must have a high energy level, experience working with cross-functional personnel, high communication skills including ability to develop a network of relationships with the various Collins Aerospace business units, strong work orientation and be well organised.
• Ability to apply CORE principles/tools to manage processes, ensuring continuous improvement in the systems and benchmarking best practices enhancing customer satisfaction at all levels.
• Experience in Machining & Mechanical Fabrication.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite Applications (MS project, Word, Excel, Power Point, MS Access).
• Ability to travel to supplier sites as needed - minimum of 50% of time.

Requirements

• Typically requires a University Degree and prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field and relevant experience.

Benefits

• 25 days Annual Leave + Public Holidays.
• Attractive Compensation Package.
• Health & Wellbeing Cash Plan - (dental/optical/therapy/chiropody/health screening).
• Generous Employer Contribution Pension Scheme with matched contributions up to 10%.
• Private Medical Insurance.
• Life Assurance & Group Income protection scheme participation.
• Employee Discounts & Flexible benefits platform.
• Professional Development + Growth.
• Staff Discounts.
• Employee Recognition.
• Support with professional fees.
• EAP (Employee Assistance Programme).
• And much more…….