> Markdown version of [/jobs/ext/2707782-supplier-development-lead](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/2707782-supplier-development-lead). Every page supports `.md` or `Accept: text/markdown`. Links point to the HTML versions so they work for humans too. Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md).

---

# Supplier Development Lead

- **Company:** QuEST Global
- **Location:** Wichita, KS, United States
- **Experience:** Expert
- **Salary:** $95,000.0 - $120,000.0
- **Contract:** Temporary to permanent
- **Skills:** Failure Mode Effects Analysis, SBus
- **Published:** September 4, 2026
- **Apply:** https://www.careerjet.com/job/usbbd3c843f533873357142586c5364ce3/eaa

## About the Role

* BS or BA in Business Administration, Supply Chain or Technical related field with 3 years of experience
 * AS Degree with 5 years production support experience
 * Ability to travel to supplier sites as needed
 * Ability to conduct Root Cause and Corrective Action (RCCA) investigations for critical quality or delivery issues
 * Project management experience
 * Background in operations/manufacturing, engineering, quality, or supply chain with supplier-facing work

## Description

As a team of remarkably diverse engineers, we recognize that what we are really engineering is a brighter future for us all. If you want to contribute to meaningful work and be part of an organization that truly believes when you win, we all win, and when you fail, we all learn, then we're eager to hear from you. the achievers and courageous challenge-crushers we seek, have the following characteristics and skills:
POSITION: Supplier Development Lead
The supplier development lead completes supplier readiness, recovery, and improvement initiatives across assigned suppliers. This role is responsible for evaluating, stabilizing, and strengthening suppliers. The individual leads structured assessments, manages supplier action plans, drives onsite engagements, and identifies/prioritizes Single Points of Failure (SPoFs). This position is highly strategic, focusing on risk mitigation, operational excellence, and relationship management within the supply chain.
What You Will Do

 * Lead internal and supplier containment actions in collaboration with Operations and Quality.
 * Facilitate supplier kick-off meetings to align expectations and establish rapid response actions.
 * Conduct Root Cause and Corrective Action (RCCA) investigations to resolve critical quality or delivery issues.
 * Coordinate with stakeholders to develop and implement improvement plans and ensure clear communication through plan review checkpoints.
 * Monitor leading and lagging Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to assess progress.
 * Evaluate whether exit criteria have been achieved for containment efforts.
 * Escalate persistent issues to crisis mode or tiger teams when warranted.
 * Partner with Commodity Teams and SBUs to ensure closed-loop feedback and transition to sustainable operations.
 * Supplier Development & Capability Building:
 * Lead supplier site identification and prioritize development efforts aligned with risk, impact, and strategic commodity needs.
 * Conduct supplier assessments using SRA, SHA, Gemba, etc.
 * Engage suppliers with development roadmaps, training, and targeted actions tied to maturity models and long-term growth.
 * Align with Commodity Managers and Engineering teams on supplier readiness for new programs or volume ramp-ups.
 * Monitor progress toward achieving target maturity levels and initiate sustainment planning once development objectives are met.
 * Support long-term monitoring and re-engagement cycles to ensure supplier performance remains stable.
 * Develop and build manufacturing process technology tools and standardization include FMEA and Control Plans, JOB SUMMARY: Support new and sustaining company product changes from New Programs to Production. Transfer knowledge of industry and supply chain best practices to internal Supply…
 + 1 day ago
+


## Related Videos

- [Design as an algorithm, not as a feature](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/471-design-as-an-algorithm-not-as-a-feature)
- [What Production Knows: Closing the Loop Between AI Agents and the Systems They Build](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100277-what-production-knows-closing-the-loop-between-ai-agents-and-the-systems-they-build)
- [Security Pitfalls for Software Engineers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/726-security-pitfalls-for-software-engineers)
- [Securing your application software supply-chain](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/468-securing-your-application-software-supply-chain)

## Related Articles

- [How We Built a Worry-Free System That Runs for 10+ Years – And What We’d Do Again](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/751-how-we-built-a-worry-free-system-that-runs-for-10-years-and-what-we-d-do-again)
- [Walking Into The Era of Supply Chain Risks](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/106-walking-into-the-era-of-supply-chain-risks)
- [What’s the Difference between a Junior, Mid, and Senior Developer?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/238-what-s-the-difference-between-a-junior-mid-and-senior-developer)
- [Now is the time for industrialized software development](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/601-now-is-the-time-for-industrialized-software-development)
- [Why and How to Sponsor Developer Events](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/686-why-and-how-to-sponsor-developer-events)
- [Résumé-Driven Development: How IT trends affect the job market for software developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/59-resume-driven-development-how-it-trends-affect-the-job-market-for-software-developers)