Expert - Supplier Technology & Development

Supplier Technology and Development Expert - Bangalore/ Pune

- Work in a team environment as a key resource closely engaged with SKF Engineering (AE/PE/ME) and SKF Suppliers with a mission to improve Customer Experience by actively contributing in shaping the future of SKF Supply Base that is highly capable, aligned, evolving and cost competitive.

- Responsibilities include selection and robust process design of suppliers, supporting qualification of new components with first time right approach, critical root cause analysis on complex supplier related field issues, developing new & existing suppliers to reduce cost, increase capacity, and risk assessment of suppliers to ensure process conformance.

- Also works with Suppliers on technology development, Sustainability, and innovation initiatives.

Reports to :

Direct Reports : Head - SQD India NA

Responsibilities :

Supplier Technology Strategy :

- Develop a Supplier Technology Strategy by Category. Build a cadence with Engineering & Product Positioning teams, and other relevant stakeholders to gather supplier technology requirements, compare them with Supplier's Capability Matrix and identify/build Supplier Technology Roadmap that supports Revenue Growth for SKF.

- Build an actionable Project plan at the suppliers, while striving to achieve world class capabilities through continuous Technology improvement programs.

- Research external market information and entrepreneurial companies to identify potential sources and suppliers. Screen any potential suppliers through scouting activities based on request of Category Managers or Purchasing Stakeholders to identify new opportunities

Supplier Cost Engineering :

- Release of Cost Engineering tools for each category. For example, Material Change matrix, Process change matrix & Should Costing tools for each category including simulation modules for optimization of raw material on forging and casting processes in line with supplier capability

- Identify Cost Reduction opportunities through VAVE, Process Capability Improvement, Supplier Change, Process Change. Deliver on annual supplier cost reduction (SCoRe) project targets.

- Improve the consistency of Supplier quotations from Customer RFQ to Award by use of Scientific Methods on Should Costing, right process selection and clarity on requirements and specifications to Suppliers.

- Collaborate with suppliers on creating Innovation projects that push the envelope in the Bearing industry forward.

Supplier Process Development :

- Be a process expert in given technology such as Metal Making (Steel, Heat Treatment, HRR) or Metal Forming (Forging, Casting, Sheet Metal Forming, Sintering etc.) or Metal Cutting (Balls, Rollers, Grinding, Machining etc.) and release DFM Guidelines for respective Categories collaborating with suppliers while deeply understanding their capabilities & limitations.

- Engage Early on NPDs/Projects and conduct Supplier Selection & Manufacturing Capability Risk Assessment in collaboration with the Category Managers.

- Work with Engineering (AE/ME/PE) team to define process parameters and criteria to ensure supplier process capability is effective to meet product and process requirements at an optimal cost. Wherever process capability is lacking ensure appropriate changes are done to drawing or alternative risk mitigations are in place.

- Be accountable for all approval projects/NPDs execution following Supplier Selection & Risk Assessment for a given Category.

- Lead as key person supplier approval projects agreed with related Category Managers until "right" start of production (ZD at SOP), in coordination with other departments, such as product development for specifications and application, laboratory for metallurgical tests, factory for manufacturing tests, etc.

- Conduct supplier Process design and PPAPs for all High-Risk Projects (CTQ CPK > 2).

- Implement Statistical Process controls at suppliers wherever processes are critical, conduct measurement systems analysis and DoEs using factorial design or Taguchi Methods during process design.

- Develop Suppliers by training on Value Stream Mapping, Six Sigma and DFSS methodologies.

- Positively influence the timeline for SKF's proposal on Customer RFQs by improving supplier's quote responses through use of Supplier Capability matrix and selection of right supplier with right cost and capability to participate in the Quotation process.

Assessments/Audits :

- Assess new and existing suppliers for performance, cost, quality and delivery using Supplier Maturity assessment that brings 360-degree view of Suppliers including Supplier Capability, Process Capability and QMS Effectiveness, also covering requirements for TS 16949, ISO 14001 and other applicable customer and internal system and reputation requirements

- Conduct CQI Audits as necessary

Relationship Management :

- Develop positive relationships and work closely with Category Managers to manage, implement and track supplier/engineering, design changes, capacity studies and New Product Introductions, and transfers

- Develop strong relationship with suppliers as a key technical advisor on SKF requirements.

- Develop Strong positive relations with Engineering teams (PE/AE/ME) as well as Test Labs within SKF.

- Be a SPOC for BU/PL and act as a Program Manager for all other TDEs during NMO/ASO/ETO (New product development)

Other :

- Run their operations according to the SKF Code of Conduct, Environment Health & Safety (EHS), and Quality Policies, and work according to the SKF Quality Management System. If the operation is EHS certified, work according to the SKF EHS Management System.

- Support Suppliers on Co2 emission reduction initiatives on technical front including Cleantech

- Assertive, optimistic, resilient and welcomes change

- Engages interest and participation of others and has a collaborative approach to working together

- Proactively contributes to the team, Is self-aware and ability to work on own initiative

- Shows moral courage, openness and honesty in all dealings

Skills :

- Experience in developing and implementing vendor qualification

- Knowledge of quality and business systems

- Commercial and financial acumen

- Strong knowledge of Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP), Production Part Approval Process (PPAP), Failure Mode and Effect, Analysis (FMEA)

- Vast experience with cross functional management

- Understanding and interpretation of engineering drawings (GD & T)

- Expert on manufacturing processes and process design

- Good communication and interpersonal skills

- Strong negotiation and influential skills

- Numerically astute with strong problem-solving skills and expertise to develop and execute objectives for self and others and the ability to impact short-term and some long-term business goals

Qualifications :

- Master's degree with 8-12 years' experience in Design Engineering, Process Engineering or Manufacturing Engineering

- Six Sigma Black Belt Certified, DFSS Trained

- Exposure to Machine Learning and AI preferred