[Hiring] Supplier Development Manager @Eaton Corporation

Role Description

Eaton’s IS VEH Functions division is currently seeking a Supplier Development Manager - North America. The position will be based at our facility in Southfield, MI or from a remote home office within the U.S. This role does require up to 50-75% travel within the US, Mexico, and Canada.

The Supplier Development Manager leads a regional team responsible for ensuring suppliers have the capability, capacity, quality systems, and performance needed to meet business needs throughout the supplier lifecycle. This role serves as the key technical and operational link to suppliers, supporting qualification, sourcing, risk assessment, APQP, launch readiness, capacity validation, and ongoing improvement. The manager also reduces supplier risk, improves performance, and supports supply continuity through cross-functional collaboration.

Supplier Lifecycle Ownership

The Supplier Development Manager ensures supplier readiness and performance across all lifecycle phases:

Before Launch

• Evaluate and qualify supplier capabilities during sourcing activities.
• Assess manufacturing readiness, capacity, quality systems, and project management.
• Lead supplier risk assessments and mitigation activities.
• Ensure APQP and production readiness requirements are completed.
• Validate supplier capacity and scalability to meet forecasted demand.

During Launch

• Monitor supplier launch readiness and execution.
• Lead escalation management and recovery activities for at-risk suppliers.
• Support production trials, Run-at-Rate, PPAP approval, and launch containment.
• Ensure suppliers meet quality, delivery, capacity, and stability targets.

After Launch

• Drive continuous improvement and supplier development initiatives.
• Monitor supplier performance, capacity utilization, and operational effectiveness.
• Ensure capacity supports demand changes, growth, and continuity needs.
• Lead improvement plans focused on quality, delivery, productivity, and risk reduction.
• Support resiliency, localization, and strategic supplier growth initiatives.

What you’ll do:

Supplier Development and Capability Improvement

• Lead the regional team in ensuring suppliers have the technical capability, capacity, quality systems, and operational excellence to meet requirements.
• Develop supplier improvement strategies that strengthen pre-launch performance, launch stability, and long-term competitiveness.
• Ensure suppliers maintain continuity, capacity planning, workforce development, and operational excellence programs.

Regional Supplier Governance

• Establish regional supplier development governance.
• Conduct regular supplier business and development reviews.
• Ensure timely closure of corrective actions and development plans.
• Monitor performance trends and escalate critical issues.
• Support regional escalation management and executive supplier reviews.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Partner closely with:

• Supply Chain Management
• Purchasing
• Engineering
• Manufacturing
• Supplier Quality
• Program Management
• Operations Leadership

• Align supplier development priorities with business and customer needs.
• Provide executive updates on supplier readiness, launches, and risks.
• Support new supplier, transfer, localization, and capacity expansion initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
• Minimum 10 years in Supplier Development, Supplier Quality, Manufacturing Engineering, Operations, OR Supply Chain experience required.
• Minimum 3 years of leadership experience managing teams.

Requirements

• Eaton will not consider applicants for employment immigration sponsorship or support for this position.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Mechanical, Industrial, Quality Engineering from an accredited institution.
• Master's degree preferred.
• Experience leading APQP, supplier qualification, sourcing support, and launch management and problem solving.
• Strong experience with global suppliers and cross-functional teams.
• Technical knowledge of APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, Control Plans, Process Flow Diagrams, MSA, SPC, Supplier Auditing, Launch Readiness Assessments, Supplier Risk Management.
• Working knowledge of IATF 16949, ISO 9001, AIAG Core Tools, Customer-Specific Requirements, Lean Manufacturing, Problem Solving Methodologies (Six Sigma, RedX, etc).

Skills

• Strategic Thinking
• Talent Development
• Supplier Relationship Management
• Risk-Based Decision Making
• Executive Communication
• Change Leadership

Benefits

Eaton provides various Health and Welfare benefits as well as Retirement benefits, and several programs that provide for paid and unpaid time away from work.

Click here for more detail: Eaton Benefits Overview. Please note that specific programs and options available to an employee may depend on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements.