Supplier Process Principal Engineer

Job Purpose

The Supplier Process Principal Engineer position leads supplier delivery and characteristic improvement activity with automotive part suppliers in North America. Responsible for evaluating negative delivery, production, inventory management, plant/equipment, sub-supplier management, packaging control and/or workforce trends within the supply base; and developing and implementing systemic countermeasures to ensure acceptable delivery characteristics for Honda products and parts. This includes leading cross-functional collaboration in areas within Supply Chain Management, as well as New Model, Procurement, Supplier Assurance and R/D to drive supplier characteristic improvement. This role supports operational stability by proactively identifying constraints, optimizing supplier supply chain levels, and supporting long-term supplier resilience strategies.

Key Accountabilities

• Lead supplier improvement activity as part of Department Business plan, reporting performance measurables and targets, forecast impact, monitor results & develop gap elimination plans to achieve Department goals
• Identifies problems on an operational and/or systemic level and conducts problem analysis / situation appraisal, which may include analysis on a specific part or assembly process (Tooling / Equipment Spec / Part Drawing Spec or Evaluation / OEE / Volume Assessment, etc.) to provide best practice processes and develop effective countermeasures to correct problems or potential problems to avoid impacting delivery and quality performance
• Perform in-depth analysis related to the supplier’s production planning, results and/or current business practices and correlation to Honda systems/requirements (example CMS) and propose improvement options
• Manage engagement strategies for suppliers that are a risk to Honda. Performing deep root cause analysis through supplier Situational Analysis, establish commitment from supplier top management, and work collaboratively to understand supplier SA and manage an overall activity SAP.
• Lead activity with concerned suppliers to understand current progress to overall SAP. Monitor, report on, and escalate suppliers that are not capable of meeting project milestones within the timeframe established.
• Perform analysis of NARS reports (A-Rank, mislabel, etc) and applicable parts and identify actual and potential problems, clarify and review with applicable departments, implement countermeasures to avoid problem occurrence from production planning through delivery
• Serve as subject matter expert to support and/or train Delivery associates in performing deep root cause analysis through data analysis, and oversee supplier situation analysis
• Lead characteristic/systemic assessment and improvement activity after initial supplier analysis, as needed, to ensure supplier operational stability, efficiency, and characteristic improvement
• Lead reporting and Gemba activity for root cause analysis/countermeasure implementation to solve complex problems with/ attention to closure speed and effectiveness. Execute continuous improvement through cycling Plan Do Check Action (PDCA).

Qualifications, Experience, and Skills

Minimum Educational Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or equivalent related experience

Minimum Experience:

• 8+ years of relevant experience

Other Job-Specific Skills:

• General knowledge of manufacturing environment and engineering principles as it relates to safety, quality, cost, delivery, new model, and manpower
• Delivery specific knowledge of production planning, efficiency/OEE, labeling, inventory management, plant/equipment, sub-supplier management, process control
• Manufacturing process knowledge (stamping, welding, assembly, material flow, electronics, injection molding, paint, casting, machining, etc.)
• Honda systems knowledge (NARS, CMS, GPCS, APS, NAPS, QMF, CPCS)
• Strong interpersonal skills, high-impact communication skills, project management skills, and Microsoft Office
• Ability to present to varying audiences including top management, conduct in-depth technical analysis, lead, and prioritize multiple projects, work in a team environment as well as independently
• Approve or provide guidance to identify corrective actions that eliminate defect reoccurrence (Problem Solving / PDCA)
• Manage multiple projects related to Critical materials for short, mid and long term results
• Ability to balance workload and set priorities
• Result Orientation
• Make sound decisions with limited direction

Job Dimensions

No. of Direct Reports: 0

No. of Indirect Reports: 0

Financial Dimensions: n/a

Decisions Expected

• Lead project / system assessment teams, communicate results and/or make proposals to leadership
• Analyze supplier processes and data (holistically and independently) and identify actual and potential problems
• Lead collaboration with cross-functional groups to gain a holistic viewpoint on supplier performance/stability, including areas outside SCM, using key stakeholder input to develop action plans.
• Evaluate supplier activity/improvement plans and decide acceptability. Provide constructive feedback and work collaboratively with suppliers to recover when behind schedule.
• Report on project progress and make proposals on path forward

Working Conditions

• Hybrid workstyle
• ~5-10 hrs. OT/ week
• ~ limited travel
• Open office environment