Commodity Management Advisor

Summary

The Supplier Development Specialist leads technical accountability and supplier excellence across a diverse global commodity portfolio. While managing a broad range of commodities including Machines, Cables, Weldments, Sheet Metal, and Cuts, this role maintains a specialized focus on High Precision Machinery. The Specialist acts as a technical consultant and educator, driving supplier quality, process stability, and adherence to stringent industry standards (ISO, AS9100) to support complex, high-tolerance component manufacturing. 

Detailed Description

Performs tasks such as, but not limited to, the following:

• Supplier Education & Technical Coaching: Act as a technical mentor to the supply base. Educate suppliers on core quality tools, ensuring robust implementation and execution of PFMEA, Control Plans, and 8D/Root Cause Analysis.
• Specialized Precision Oversight: Align and implement global strategies for CNC, EDM, and multi-axis machining. Oversee supplier adherence to complex tolerances and precision standards, resolving high-precision manufacturing challenges through direct engineering collaboration.
• Auditing & Compliance: Lead routine and ad-hoc technical audits to assess supplier capability and compliance. Drive the closure of audit findings and verify that supplier processes meet Celestica and industry-specific regulatory requirements.
• Commodity Management: Drive performance and technical excellence across varied commodities, including Weldments, Cables, Sheet Metal, and Mechanical Assemblies, ensuring top-tier quality, cost-effectiveness, and delivery.
• Change Management & Communication: Serve as the primary focal point for all customer communications regarding supplier changes. Manage the technical validation and documentation required for process shifts, sub-tier changes, or tooling updates.
• Process Optimization: Assess and improve supplier machining processes, tooling, and "Special Processes" (Welding, Powder Coating, Plating, Anodizing). Drive continuous improvement initiatives to reduce scrap, minimize variation, and maximize precision.
• KPI & Performance Metrics: Establish and maintain technical assessment methods and metrics for surface finish, tolerances, and dimensional accuracy. Conduct periodic Business Reviews to ensure sustained performance.

Knowledge/Skills/Competencies

• Machining Technology: In-depth knowledge of high-precision machining technologies, including 3-to-7 axis CNC, EDM, turning, and milling.
• GD&T Proficiency: Advanced expertise in technical drawing interpretation and Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) within high-precision contexts.
• Quality Tooling: Mastery of quality improvement tools (Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing, etc.) and the ability to train suppliers in PFMEA and 8D methodology.
• Auditing Expertise: Proven experience in conducting technical supplier audits. Professional Audit Certification (ISO 9001, AS9100, or VDA 6.3) is highly preferred.
• Analytical Skill: Strong ability to evaluate manufacturing data and implement improvements in machining processes to ensure consistent part quality and efficiency.
• Communication: Ability to author technical documents conveying complex machining specifications and communicate effectively with internal stakeholders and external customers.

Typical Experience / Education

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related field.
• Experience: At least seven (7) years of relevant experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Background: Substantial exposure to high-precision machining commodities, supplier quality management, and process optimization.

Notes

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities of the position. Employees are held accountable for all duties of the job. Job duties and the % of time identified for any function are subject to change at any time.