Supplier Development Lead
Joining Collins Aerospace isn't just about finding a job; it's about embarking on a journey to redefine the future of aerospace technology.
Collins Aerospace, an RTX company, is a leader in technologically advanced and intelligent solutions for the global aerospace and defense industry. Collins Aerospace has the capabilities, comprehensive portfolio, and expertise to solve customers' toughest challenges and to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving global market.
The Supplier Development Lead (SDL) is a critical forward deployed role within the Global Supplier Development organization, responsible for driving supplier recovery, capability improvement, and sustainable performance. This role is hands-on and cross-functional, supporting operational containment, supplier assessments, and execution of structured improvement plans across global commodities. The ideal candidate is both detail-oriented and strategic, capable of managing crisis situations and long-term development actions that align with business unit goals and enterprise-wide initiatives.
This individual must be willing and able to travel 50% of the time (including overnight travel).
What You Will Do :
Containment & Recovery :
- 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 OCRA (Operational Capability & Risk Assessment) tool.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.Facilitate structured improvement plan development, KPI tracking, and gate reviews.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 PlansTransition Management & Leadership :
Provide leadership and / or support for supplier transitions, ensuring a smooth handover of work scope with minimal disruption.Support the sustainment phase by monitoring supplier maturity post-transition and ensuring long-term capability.Align with internal business units and suppliers to reinforce performance expectations and continuous improvement efforts.Execute APQP for new product launch and work transition projectsKey Interfaces :
Commodity ManagersQuality Assurance & EngineeringOperations and PlanningSupplier Business Units (SBUs)Supplier Site LeadershipCrisis Response and Tiger TeamsQualifications You Must Have :
Typically requires a University Degree and minimum 5 years prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 3 years of experienceU.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are authorized to access information under this program / contract3+ years prior experience in Engineering / Supply Chain / Manufacturing or related area with a continued proven track record of performance achievement, and growth with increased level of responsibility in an operations environmentQualifications We Prefer :
2+ years prior experience in machining or mechanical fabricationThis individual must be willing and able to present and communicate to all levels of the organizationAbility to apply CORE principles / tools to manage processes, ensuring continuous improvement in the systems and benchmarking best practices enhancing customer satisfaction at all levels.Experience with Microsoft Office Suite Applications (MS project, Word, Excel, Power Point, MS Access)What We Offer :
Some of our competitive benefits package includes :
Medical, dental, and vision insuranceThree weeks of vacation for newly hired employeesGenerous 401(k) plan that includes employer matching funds and separate employer retirement contribution, including a Lifetime Income Strategy optionTuition reimbursement programStudent Loan Repayment ProgramLife insurance and disability coverageOptional coverages you can buy pet insurance, home and auto insurance, additional life and accident insurance, critical illness insurance, group legal, ID theft protectionBirth, adoption, parental leave benefitsOvia Health, fertility, and family planningAdoption AssistanceAutism BenefitEmployee Assistance Plan, including up to 10 free counseling sessionsHealthy You Incentives, wellness rewards programDoctor on Demand, virtual doctor visitsBright Horizons, child and elder care servicesTeladoc Medical Experts, second opinion programAnd more!The salary range for this role is 82,000 USD - 164,000 USD. The salary range provided is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels. RTX considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role, function and associated responsibilities, a candidate's work experience, location, education / training, and key skills. Hired applicants may be eligible for benefits, including but not limited to, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, flexible work schedules, employee assistance program, Employee Scholar Program, parental leave, paid time off, and holidays. Specific benefits are dependent upon the specific business unit as well as whether or not the position is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement. Hired applicants may be eligible for annual short-term and / or long-term incentive compensation programs depending on the level of the position and whether or not it is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement. Payments under these annual programs are not guaranteed and are dependent upon a variety of factors including, but not limited to, individual performance, business unit performance, and / or the company's performance. This role is a U.S.-based role. If the successful candidate resides in a U.S. territory, the appropriate pay structure and benefits will apply. RTX anticipates the application window closing approximately 40 days from the date the notice was posted. However, factors such as candidate flow and business necessity may require RTX to shorten or extend the application window.
RTX is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any other applicable state or federal protected class. RTX provides affirmative action in employment for qualified Individuals with a Disability and Protected Veterans in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act.