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Supplier Development Manager

Air Lift, a third-generation family-owned company, was founded in 1949 in Lansing, Michigan. Air Lift supplies the automotive aftermarket with load assist products and performance suspensions for show and track. Our goal is to consistently provide products and services that meet and exceed customer’s requirements and expectations. We do this by recruiting top talent and retaining them through our commitment to professional development and preservation of our culture.

Job Summary

This role serves as a strategic procurement and sourcing leader responsible for supporting operational performance, product development, commercialization initiatives, supplier partnerships, and long-term business growth through effective sourcing, supplier development, and cross-functional leadership.

As the organization continues to grow, the Supplier Development Manager role will serve as a strategic leader supporting sourcing, supplier development, commercialization, and business growth initiatives beyond day-to-day purchasing activities.

This position will lead strategic projects involving supplier partnerships, complete product sourcing, new product launches, packaging, branding opportunities, outsourced manufacturing, and supplier validation activities while working cross-functionally with operations, engineering, sales, marketing, and executive leadership.

The role is intended to focus on higher-level strategic sourcing, supplier performance management, supplier roadmaps, risk mitigation, commercialization support, and organizational gap coverage, while buyers maintain responsibility for routine transactional purchasing and daily procurement execution.

The Supplier Development Manager is expected to help drive supplier innovation, growth enablement, strategic partnerships, and executive-level purchasing leadership to support the long-term objectives of the business.

• Lead supplier development initiatives across domestic and global supply base to improve quality, delivery, cost, capacity, and overall supplier performance.
• Develop and maintain supplier roadmaps aligned with company growth strategy, sourcing requirements, risk mitigation, and new product launches.
• Lead supplier segmentation strategy including preferred, strategic, developmental, and conditional supplier classifications.
• Manage sourcing of complete assemblies, and outsourced manufacturing solutions.
• Manage, organize and leverage any contract supplier sourcing houses (ex. Mexico, China, India) sourcing.
• Ensure suppliers meet all commercial, operational, financial, quality, compliance, and cybersecurity requirements prior to approval.
• Conduct supplier due diligence including:
  • Financial stability analysis
  • Manufacturing capability assessments
  • Website and digital presence review
  • Compliance and regulatory checks
  • Insurance and certification validation
  • Reference and reputation checks
  • Supply chain risk analysis
• Partner with Director and buyers to ensure supplier onboarding documentation and approvals are fully completed before business award.
• Support long-term sourcing strategy including dual sourcing, localization, cost reduction, supplier consolidation, and risk mitigation initiatives.
• Lead strategic procurement initiatives focused on supplier positioning, sourcing roadmaps, long-term supplier partnerships, and cross-functional execution aligned with company growth objectives.
• Develop and execute sourcing strategies for complete products, componentry, packaging, outsourced manufacturing, and new product opportunities using structured supplier evaluation, validation, and risk assessment criteria.
• Establish supplier development roadmaps, performance metrics, and cross-functional evaluation processes to ensure suppliers meet operational, commercial, quality, capacity, innovation, and scalability requirements.
• Partner with engineering, operations, sales, marketing, and executive leadership to execute strategic sourcing initiatives, commercialization activities, supplier transitions, and growth-focused procurement projects while supporting the procurement team with qualified supplier pipelines and sourcing direction.
• Procurement strategy
• Supplier portfolio management
• Supplier development
• Commercialization
• Roadmap ownership
• Cross-functional sourcing governance
• Market intelligence
• Long-term sourcing alignment
• Supplier innovation
• Strategic execution

Position Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree in supply chain, business, or related
• 5+ years of experience in designing, implementing, managing and monitoring procurement reporting systems to meet company requirements.
• Ability to plan, organize, direct and control activities related to the procurement function.
• Ability to independently, or through subordinate personnel, prepare instructions regarding purchasing systems and procedures.
• Experience in analyzing market and delivery conditions to determine present and future material availability and prepare market analysis reports.
• Responsible for sourcing and maintaining the organization’s supplier base.
• Ability to oversee all activities related to procurement of a commodity, from intent to purchase through delivery of commodity.

Preferred Qualifications

• The job typically requires a bachelor’s degree in business or engineering and 5+ years of experience, or equivalent.
• Previous experience in Designing, implementing, managing and monitoring procurement reporting systems to meet company requirements.

Benefits

• Health and Wellness
  • Comprehensive Health Insurance: Medical, dental, and vision coverage
  • Mental Health Support: Access to counseling services or mental health apps
  • Health Savings Accounts (HSA/FSA): Pre-tax savings for healthcare expenses
  • Paid Time Off: Generous paid time off
  • Gym Reimbursement
• Financial Security
  • Retirement Plans: 401(k) with up to 8% company matching
  • Life and Disability Insurance: Coverage for life and short-term and long-term disability
  • Financial Planning Resources: Access to financial planning workshops or financial advisors
• Career Development
  • Professional Development: Funding for courses, certifications, or conferences
  • Tuition Reimbursement: Support for continuing education