Supplier Operations & Field Support Engineer

Reports Directly To: Purchasing Supervisor Dotted Line Reporting Responsibility To: Manager, Production Control & ERP Systems Quarterly Review will receive input from both solid and dotted line relationships. Location: Greater Los Angeles / Orange County, California (Remote / Field Based), The Supplier Operations & Field Support Engineer (FSE) serves as NWI Aerostructures’ field-based engineering and operational extension at assigned suppliers. The position strengthens supplier execution by applying technical judgment, operational discipline, and cross-functional collaboration to ensure conforming product is delivered ahead of production demand. The FSE integrates Operations, Supply Chain, MRP, Supplier Quality, Engineering, and Program Management while resolving supplier issues in real time., The FSE evaluates supplier performance, identifies operational risk, implements recovery strategies, and maintains production continuity. Unlike a traditional buyer, planner, or supplier quality engineer, the FSE works across functional disciplines to solve manufacturing problems at their source through engineering judgment, objective data, and professional influence., * Protect production continuity through proactive supplier engagement.

• Engineer supplier success by improving execution rather than expediting late parts.
• Identify manufacturing constraints before they impact customer commitments.
• Exercise delegated operational authority in the field.
• Maintain schedule integrity and ERP accuracy.
• Strengthen supplier capability and accountability.
• Represent NWI during supplier and customer engagements.
• Drive continuous improvement., * Evaluate supplier manufacturing performance to identify constraints and production risk.
• Lead supplier recovery activities following manufacturing disruptions.
• Assess supplier capacity, workflow, staffing, equipment, and readiness.
• Develop recovery strategies aligned with production requirements.
• Escalate critical issues impacting customer commitments.

Supply Chain

• Issue and modify Purchase Orders within delegated authority.
• Maintain supplier commitment dates and delivery schedules in Epicor.
• Monitor supplier-held NWI furnished inventory.
• Verify supplier commitments in ERP.

Planning & MRP

• Evaluate shortages, inventory positions, and supplier capacity.
• Recommend rescheduling strategies.
• Coordinate planning to minimize disruption and premium freight.

Supplier Quality

• Validate corrective action implementation.
• Review supplier escapes and containment.
• Participate in supplier audits.

Supplier Development

• Develop collaborative supplier relationships.
• Identify operational improvement opportunities.
• Improve throughput, quality, and delivery performance.

Program & Customer Support

• Support customer visits to suppliers.
• Lead or participate in rate readiness events.
• Communicate supplier recovery status.

Decision Authority

• Modify Purchase Orders and delivery schedules within delegated authority.
• Approve supplier commitment updates in ERP.
• Lead supplier recovery planning.
• Validate corrective action implementation.
• Recommend production rescheduling.
• Request engineering and operational support.
• Does not negotiate pricing, approve suppliers, or execute contracts.

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, or related discipline; equivalent experience considered.
• Aerospace manufacturing or precision machining experience.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings and MBD.
• ERP experience (Epicor preferred).
• Advanced Microsoft Excel.

Preferred

• CATIA familiarity.
• Knowledge of aerospace special processes.
• Understanding of FAIRs and AS9100.
• Microsoft Project., * Supplier On-Time Delivery
• Supplier Quality Performance
• Production Continuity
• Reduction in Material Shortages
• Supplier Scorecard Improvement
• Reduction in Premium Freight
• Customer Satisfaction