Supplier Process Senior Engineer

Job Purpose

The Supplier Process Sr. Engineer position supports supplier delivery and characteristic improvement activity with automotive part suppliers in North America. Responsible for evaluating delivery, production, inventory management, plant/equipment, sub-supplier management, packaging control and/or workforce trends within the selected supply base; and developing and implementing systemic countermeasures to ensure acceptable delivery characteristics for Honda products and parts. This includes 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

• Support 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 a 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 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
• Champion engagement strategies for suppliers that are causing impact/risk to Honda. Performing deep root cause analysis through individual supplier Situational Analysis, engage with supplier top management, and work collaboratively to understand supplier SA and develop an overall activity SAP.
• Coordinate 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.
• Evaluate NARS reports (historical data, 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
• Provide support at supplier after initial supplier crisis activity, as needed, to ensure supplier operational stability, efficiency, and characteristic improvement
• Complete reporting and Gemba activity for root cause analysis/countermeasure implementation to solve complex problems with/ attention to closure speed and effectiveness. Engage in 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:

• 2-8 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, labelling, 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
• 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

• Support 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
• Coordinate 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