Vendor Development Manager

Company Overview Nikkiso Clean Energy & Industrial Gases (CE&IG) is a leading provider of cryogenic pumps, heat exchangers, process systems, turboexpanders, services, and solutions for the LH2, LNG and industrial gases industries. We are a subsidiary of Nikkiso Company Ltd, a leading industrial manufacturer headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, with over USD 1.2B in annual revenue, 8,000 + employees worldwide, and publicly traded on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Job Overview We are looking for an experienced Manager, Supplier Quality with 15–20 years of experience in supplier quality management, vendor development, machining, casting, and localization of components. The candidate will be responsible for developing new suppliers, improving existing supplier capabilities, localizing components for group companies, ensuring supplier quality and delivery performance, and coordinating with global teams for technical and localization requirements. The ideal candidate should have strong technical knowledge of machining and casting processes, excellent communication and presentation skills, and the ability to independently drive supplier development projects from identification through successful production. Responsibilities Identify, evaluate, and develop new suppliers based on technical, quality, capacity, cost, and delivery requirements. Conduct supplier capability assessments and evaluate manufacturing infrastructure, processes, quality systems, and capacity. Develop suppliers for machined, cast, fabricated, forged, and other engineering components. Lead localization of imported components for group companies and global business requirements. Identify suitable local suppliers and develop them to meet global quality and technical standards. Drive localization projects from supplier identification → feasibility → sample development → validation → PPAP/approval → production stabilization. Resolve technical and quality issues during development in coordination with global teams. Ensure consistent quality of components received from suppliers. Monitor supplier quality performance through PPM, rejection, rework, customer complaints, and other quality KPIs. Drive root-cause analysis and corrective actions for supplier quality issues. Work closely with suppliers to implement CAPA, RCA, and continuous improvement initiatives. Establish process controls and inspection standards at supplier locations. Conduct regular supplier visits and process audits. Development & qualification of supplier product / process of newly purchased parts through the process working with Sourcing, Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing. Support to Supplier process to develop suppliers and products to the point of successful/on-time Production Part Approval Process and Customer needs. Coordinates with engineering, manufacturing engineering, procurement and supplier quality on component quality / delivery issues and supplier initiatives to minimize the waste…