Manager, Supplier Development

Supplier Development Manager,

Mason, Ohio
Reports to: Director, Supply Chain Management, North America

RH Aero Systems is setting the standard for aviation support equipment and services. Through our

Candidate must be a US citizen to meet the eligibility criteria for this position.

RH Aero Systems is setting the standard for aviation support equipment and services. Through our industry-leading businesses – Rhinestahl and HYDRO Systems – we deliver capability across custom-designed Ground Support Equipment, OEM-licensed engine and airframe tooling, 26 global service centers and innovative engineered solutions for OEMs, MROs and Operators worldwide. RH Aero Systems’ global headquarters are in Mason, Ohio, USA, and Biberach, Germany. For further details visit RHAero.com.

Join RH Aero as a Supplier Development Manager and help shape a supplier network that supports high-quality, cost-effective airframe tooling, aircraft engine tooling, and Ground Support Equipment (GSE) components. You’ll build lasting supplier relationships and lead supplier identification, qualification, categorization, and development beyond individual purchase orders. With deep insight into supplier capability and capacity, you’ll strengthen machining, fabrication, assembly, and special processes—including NDT, coatings, and heat treatment—to meet aerospace quality, delivery, and OEM requirements. You’ll also have the opportunity to work directly with suppliers on-site when urgent challenges arise.

This is an opportunity to make a lasting impact—not just resolve day-to-day issues. You’ll take ownership of long-term supplier performance and capability improvement, addressing root causes and strengthening processes to deliver sustainable results.

Your insights into supplier capability, capacity, and development potential will help shape supplier strategies alongside Strategic Sourcing and key stakeholders. You’ll bring a hands-on supplier perspective to shared decisions, with Strategic Sourcing leading alignment to global supply chain strategy and program requirements.

You’ll collaborate across a global network, partnering with program-level Strategic Sourcing resources and regional supply chain operations teams to develop strategies for new and existing suppliers based on market needs and demand. Reporting directly to the regional Supply Chain Manager, with a strong reporting relationship to the Global Manager of the Supplier Development Unit, you’ll connect regional priorities with global supplier development efforts.

Supplier Development & Qualification:

• You’ll identify and evaluate new suppliers for tooling, precision machining, fabrication, and assembly in line with regional strategy.
• You’ll categorize and evaluate suppliers against global standards.
• You’ll assess supplier capabilities, conduct process audits with underperforming suppliers, and carry out technical reviews to ensure alignment with aerospace standards.
• You’ll drive supplier onboarding in accordance with company and OEM procedures.
• You’ll partner with operational purchasing and strategic sourcing teams on demand planning and supplier management initiatives.
• You’ll lead First Article Inspection activities and ensure robust process validation.
• You’ll help create and maintain supplier contracts, including framework agreements, LTAs, QAAs, MOUs, and LOIs.
• You’ll contribute ideas to improve internal supplier development and management processes and methods.
• You’ll support the introduction of AI and the continued digitalization of purchasing processes.

Supplier Performance Improvement

• You’ll monitor supplier KPIs across quality, cost, delivery, responsiveness, and sustained capability, and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• You’ll implement supplier scorecards and establish regular business reviews.
• You’ll work with suppliers on root-cause analysis and corrective actions to address quality or delivery issues.
• You’ll develop improvement roadmaps with suppliers to strengthen process capability, quality system maturity, and lean manufacturing.

Strategic Sourcing Support

• You’ll collaborate with internal Supply Chain stakeholders to evaluate make-versus-buy decisions and sourcing strategies.
• You’ll provide technical input during supplier selection and contract negotiations.
• You’ll support cost-reduction initiatives through supplier process optimisation and value engineering.

Supplier Relationship Management

• You’ll build strong working relationships with key suppliers, serving as a technical and operational liaison.
• You’ll support supplier capacity planning to align with business growth and program ramp-ups.
• You’ll partner with Supplier Quality Engineers and Sourcing Specialists to align supplier capabilities with future tooling technology needs.

Compliance & Standards

• You’ll ensure suppliers comply with required standards.
• You’ll help develop global supplier development processes and standards, and support supplier training and certification programs.

Education & Experience

• You’ll bring a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Aerospace, or Industrial Engineering, or Supply Chain Management.
• You’ll bring a minimum of 5–7 years of experience in supplier quality, manufacturing engineering, or supplier development within the aerospace or precision engineering sector.
• You’ll have proven experience conducting supplier audits and supporting supplier development programs.

Technical & Functional Skills

• You’ll bring a strong understanding of manufacturing processes, bills of materials (BOMs), and technical drawings.
• You’ll have a proven track record of developing suppliers for machined or fabricated components.
• Ideally, you’ll be familiar with tooling, fixtures, or ground support equipment for aircraft engines.
• You’ll bring experience with Lean/Six Sigma methodologies.

Soft Skills

• You’ll bring strong communication and negotiation skills, with a proactive approach to working with multicultural supplier networks.
• You’ll be fluent in spoken and written English; additional language skills are an advantage.
• You’ll bring a basic understanding of international law, supplier development, and risk management.

Key Competencies

• You’ll bring technical knowledge of machining, welding, and assembly processes.
• You’ll have an analytical mindset, with a focus on problem-solving and process improvement.
• You’ll bring strong project management skills and the ability to lead across functions.
• You’ll be willing to travel to supplier locations, both domestically and internationally.
• You’ll bring a customer-focused, results-driven approach.

Performance Indicators

• Your success will be measured by improvements in supplier maturity and capability.
• Your success will also be measured by the successful onboarding of new suppliers for key programs.

Travel Requirements:

We offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support our team’s health, financial security, and overall well-being. The company offers competitive medical, dental, and vision plans, HSA and FSA plans, Mental health resources, and employee assistance programs. We offer Paid Parental Leave, Company Paid Long Term Disability, competitive 401k employer match, floating holiday, tuition reimbursement program, amongst other benefits.

We are committed to providing equal opportunities in employment. We value diversity and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. The company participates in E-Verify as required by law.