Manager Supplier Development at Yanfeng US Automotive Interior Systems I LLC in FOUNTAIN INN, South Carolina

Job Description:

Yanfeng Automotive Interiors (YFAI) is the global leader in automotive interiors. YFAI is redefining how people relax, work and play in their vehicle interiors today and decades from now. Headquartered in Shanghai, the company has 114 manufacturing plants and technical centers in 20 countries and more than 33,000 employees globally. They design, develop and manufacture interior components for all automakers. Established in 2015, Yanfeng Automotive Interiors is a joint venture between Yanfeng Automotive Trim Systems Co., Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Huayu Automotive Systems Co., Ltd. (HASCO), the component group of SAIC Motor Corporation Limited (SAIC Motor), and Adient, the global leader in automotive seating. For more information, please visit www.YFAI.com.

Job Summary

The Supplier Development Manager (SDM) has direct responsibility for evaluating new and existing suppliers using the YF Supplier Assessment Survey and/or other industry standard such as VDA6.3. The SDM is an integral part of the purchasing commodity team, the sourcing process, and is responsible to monitor and improve ongoing supplier performance. The Supplier Development Manager is responsible to support the ASQE team with the execution of all advanced supplier quality deliverables for all new business awards.

Essential functions of the job

• Evaluate and qualify current and new potential suppliers using internal Supplier Assessment Survey or VDA6.3 audit standard. Provide direction and support with a supplier development plan to improve supplier scores and reduce the risk to YF.


• Provide input on supplier performance and quality risk as part of the sourcing process.


• Provide input and support the development of the purchasing commodity strategies.


• Support the Advanced Supplier Quality Team with APQP, PPAP, and launch activities.


• Monitor supplier performance and drive improvement actions on poor performing suppliers.


• Provide support for the Plant Quality & Delivery Teams for supplier performance issues and escalations.

Additional responsibilities:

• Provide input and support for continuous improvement of the operating systems and procedures


• Provide coaching and mentoring for the plant supplier quality engineers


• Provide input and support for the collection and reporting of the supplier management KPI’s.

Required Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in Quality, Engineering, or other technical related field.

Required Qualifications

• 5-9 Minimum Years of Experience within a relevant quality function


• 5-9 Minimum Years of Experience within the automotive industry


• Specific education and training in Quality disciplines, such as - Quality Management Systems (e.g. ISO 9001, IATF 16949) –Quality Tools (APQP, PPAP, Statistics, Problem Solving, MSA, Pareto etc. – Quality Process audits based on customer specific requirements and various build events (run@rate of production trial runs / ramp-up / launch).


• Must be able and willing to travel and work at customer sites, including industrial manufacturing plants which might require climbing, lifting, or working in confined spaces.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong communication skills, analytical, organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work in a self-directed environment.


• Excellent problem solving skills, including experience preparing problem solving documents such as 8D’s, Ishikawa, and 5-Why.


• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including ability to work in a self-directed environment


• Strong knowledge of statistical concepts and design of experiments and experience with SPC software is highly desirable


• IATF16949 and /or VDA6.3 Auditor certification is highly desirable.


• Certified Black Belt of Green Belt and experience in Lean Manufacturing methods is highly desirable


• Proficient in use of a computer and common office software