Inside the Role
The Supply Base Development Engineer will work with Procurement, Supplier Management, Supply Chain Operations, and Planning to identify gaps in the supply base. Working closely with Product Strategy and Engineering Platform Management, they will understand the future of our product offerings. They will evaluate the capabilities of current suppliers, against the strategic objectives of the business. The Supply Base Development Engineer will identify, vet, and develop new suppliers for DTNA. These activities will result in higher performance in supplier delivery, supplier quality, and lowest Total Supplier Driven Cost.

Posting Information

We provide a scheduled posting end date to assist our candidates with their application planning. While this date reflects our latest plans, it is subject to change, and postings may be extended or removed earlier than expected.

Position offers a starting salary range of $104,000.00 - $133,000.00 USD

Pay offered dependent on knowledge, skills, and experience

Benefits include annual bonus program; 401k company contribution with company match up to 6% as well as non-elective company contribution of 3 - 7% depending on age; starting at 4 weeks paid vacation; 13+ calendar holidays; 8 weeks paid parental leave; employee assistance program; comprehensive healthcare plans and wellness programs; onsite fitness (at some locations); tuition assistance and volunteer paid time off; short-term and long-term disability plans.

What You Drive at DTNA

• Partner with Procurement / Engineering and Operations to anticipate and identify gaps in the Supply Base. Work ahead of quoting and awards to develop and ensure quality suppliers, capable of production at the OEM level.
• Utilize process engineering and DTAG Production skills through collaborative work with suppliers' teams and ME, to ensure design and implementation of optimal manufacturing processes
• Develop our supplier base to ensure best overall cost, quality, manufacturability, and operational self-reliance
• Develop, execute, and modify project strategies for critical parts, based on risk ranking activities
• Work with suppliers to develop appropriate project schedules to achieve vehicle milestone objectives and KPIs
• Lead suppliers in problem solving and consensus building to mitigate risks
• Establish manufacturing processes to include critical characteristics and parameter controls across a broad spectrum of inputs (tooling, equipment, process capacity, capability, quality, throughput, and human development) Collaborate with Product Strategy and Operations Planning on the Long Range Production Plan and the capability of current suppliers to meet volume / mix. Grow and develop a team of experts on DTNA Book of Business requirements, manufacturing processes, and supplier quality.
• Actively lead, exhibit and coach to the Daimler Great Leadership Behaviors
• Understand the DTNA Product Roadmap, PAR initiatives, and trends in the global supply base. Derive action plans and options to meet business requirements with the current supply base, or identify new suppliers.
• Identify, audit and onboard new suppliers; perform surveillance and diagnostic audits on incumbent suppliers
• Industrialize new materials and/or processes by collaborating with suppliers to implement the required capital improvements and developing their capability to scale-up these new technologies
• Collaborate with Design, Quality, and Manufacturing to determine the ideal performance specifications and supplier metrics.
• Grow and maintain global relationships to leverage expertise and evaluate potentials for shared suppliers.
• Demonstrate innovation, technical excellence, attention to detail, self-direction and integrity
• Drive for results and customer satisfaction by collaborating with teams, leading projects, and continuously driving improvement in the supply base
• Maintain and communicate responsible status information supporting project KPI visualization. Internally and externally.

Knowledge You Should Bring

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, or similar technical field.
• 4+ years of supplier management, procurement, supply chain, or changeover experience
• 4+ years supplier quality experience. Quality system audit, PPAP, root cause & corrective actions at the supplier. Statistical process Control, Capacity management verification by run at rate.
• Process knowledge & tooling, Die and Sand Cast, forgings, stamping, welding, injection mold, machining, heat treatment, electronics soldering, sewing, Cab and Chassis components, Mechatronics.
• Materials involved: Aluminum, Iron, Steel, resins, paint, rubber.
• Expertise in reading drawings/prints, including the ability to discuss Basic GD&T
• Expertise in the DTNA Book of Business and Supplier Requirements, CVDS
• Negotiation skills, structured problem solving, project management experience.
• Manufacturing, Quality, or Engineering experience developing one or more of the following commodities/products:
• Interior components - trim, console box, fuel tank, HVAC
• Exterior components - grills, bumpers, outer mirrors, door handles, glass
• Electrical/Electronics - Audio, multimedia, ECUs, Battery, hybrid systems
• Chassis Components - Steering, Suspension, brakes, driveline
• Powertrain - Engine, Axle, Transmission, Battery
• Body & Assembly - Frame, body, structural, Seats, headliners, door trim
• Capabilities with MS365
• Executive presentation skills
• Ability to travel up to 50%, including international travel

Exceptional Candidates Might Have

• Master's Degree
• International experience
• New model production preparation
• Managing multiple tier 1 supplier production preparation
• Establishment of manufacturing process including key Characteristics, tooling, equipment, process capability
• Experience in Design feedback
• Fluent in Spanish and English

#LI-JN2 #LI-Hybrid

Where We Work

This position is open to applicants who can work in (or relocate to) the following location(s)-
Fort Mill, SC US. Relocation assistance is not available for this position.

Schedule Type:
Hybrid (4 days per week in-office / 1 day remote). This schedule builds our #OneTeamBestTeam culture, provides an unparalleled customer experience, and creates innovative solutions through in-person collaboration.