**_MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES_**- Evaluates and selects suppliers based upon assessment of their quality system and capabilities.- Performs initial and ongoing audits of potential and current suppliers based upon ISO9001 guidelines and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Quality System Requirements. Visits suppliers' facilities, writes comprehensive audit reports and ensures completion of corrective action at suppliers' facilities as necessary.- Manages component supply and inventory levels for product line(s), planning and purchasing for material requirements and ensuring flow of materials to the production floor.- Understands and communicates component specifications to suppliers, including the ability to read drawings to determine dimensions, tolerances, and Incoming Quality Control (IQC) points.- Develops and enhances relationships with strategic supplier/partners. Serves as primary contact and fosters positive and mutually beneficial relationship with suppliers.- Coordinates early supplier involvement in product development and purchases the required materials to support product development and product launches.- Actively works and supports the development of new technologies and supplier capabilities.- Ensures that Confidentiality Agreements and necessary contracts are established with suppliers.- Supports product development goals in the components, materials and suppliers area.- Manages the implementation of suppliers (including ensuring the completion of appropriate first articles and validations).- Drives cost savings and quality improvement projects.- At the Principal Level, may serve as Commodity Leader for an assigned area. In this role, will be responsible for creating and implementing a detailed strategy for each supplier and assigned commodity, and will work as a team leader with multiple groups/sites to ensure supplier strategy is understood and is being executed appropriately.- Cultivates a wide range of internal networks and begins to develop an external network of resources to facilitate completion of tasks. May demonstrate basic project management skills by acting as a project lead on small, well defined projects. Provides guidance to less experienced staff. Influence exerted at peer level and occasionally at first levels of management.- Plans, organizes, and prioritizes own daily work routine to meet established schedule.- Exercises authority and judgment within defined limits to determine appropriate action. Failure to achieve results or erroneous decisions or recommendations may cause delays and may result in the allocation of additional resources.**_ QUALIFICATIONS_**- Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Business Administration or related career.- 2-5 years of related work experience or an equivalent combination of education and work experience.- A good understanding of specified functional area.- Fully Bilingual (English and Spanish) / Required- Preferred Qualifications & Education_- Works on problems of moderate scope where analysis of situations or data requires a review of identifiable factors. Exercises judgment within defined procedures and practices to determine appropriate action. Has a general knowledge of technical alternatives and an understanding of their impact on the systems environment.
