Senior NPI / Supplier Development Engineer

Responsibilities :

Npi Project Management:

• Lead NPI projects, manage timelines, plan resources at suppliers to meet timeline.
• Support new supplier selection with a disciplined and robust qualification process.
• Supports supplier evaluation criteria and scoring. Criteria should establish suppliers’ ability to meet quality, delivery and cost needs with a view to future handovers to production.
• Support the manufacturing of complex parts and sub-assemblies by providing technical expertise and support for suppliers.
• Support Sourcing on supplier capability by benchmarking to existing internal process/best practice sharing.
• Work closely with R&D, Quality, Sourcing, and Purchasing teams to ensure seamless product introduction.
• Review manufacturing processes to ensure they will yield parts compliant to engineering drawings and specifications.

Sourcing:

• Lead NPI projects, manage timelines, plan resources at suppliers to meet timeline.
• Lead/Support Sourcing of new suppliers to meet NPI requirements and future localization plan.
• Drive early engagement with suppliers during NPI to validate material readiness, ramp capability, and capacity planning to support both NPI and production requirements.
• Lead supplier cost modeling, benchmarking, and total cost of ownership analysis.

Risk Management & Improvements:

• Identify and mitigate potential design and process risks early in the development cycle using tools like FMEA.
• Be part of a high-level engineering team that can partner with our supply chain to improve capability and quality of the suppliers.
• Align capabilities of suppliers to needs of Cohu products.
• Execute problem solving processes to close gaps in capability or quality with Cohu suppliers and execute improvement projects utilizing Lean/TPS methodologies, Six Sigma scorecards and assessments.
• Track the supplier’s performance indicators, based on their scorecards and rankings, to facilitate and develop the supply base’s ability to consistently meet or exceed Cohu’s needs.
• Participate in PFMEA activities, Work Instruction Improvements, and Control Plan effectiveness with suppliers.
• Execute improvement plans by utilizing Six Sigma methodologies, Lean/TPS methods, supplier scorecards and supplier assessments.
• Execute Supplier Development Engineering Playbook and strategic improvement plan at each key supplier.
• Execute cross functional engagement to remove roadblocks necessary to improve supplier performance.
• Support in the elimination of any risks that will prevent suppliers from meeting performance targets and escalate as needed.

Requirements & Qualifications :

• Degree in Engineering
• Experience with executing improvement projects with suppliers.
• Typically 5-8 years of relevant experience. Experience in industrial equipment, CNC machining equipment, automotive, semiconductor or medical manufacturing environment preferred.
• Experience with Six Sigma. At least a Green belt is preferred.
• Experience with Lean or the Toyota Production system. Certification preferred.
• Experience with machining, plating and/or assembly processes preferred.
• Knowledge of using Six sigma / quality Tools and APQP (PFMEA, Control plan, SPC MSA etc.)
• Experience in Supply Chain, Operations or Manufacturing Engineering
• Strong communication skills both verbal and written.
• Experience with project management and Kaizen facilitation.
• Ability to interface effectively with all levels.
• Proven problem-solving skills.
• Able to read technical drawings and documentation (GD&T)
• Experience in performing production readiness & rate readiness reviews / assessments.
• Effective collaboration skills to motivate and influence others at various levels without a direct reporting relationship.
• Experience in working with regional suppliers / customers.