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Supplier Development Manager Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

Employbridge

Business Development Manager

Memphis, TN

Business Development Manager - Memphis, TN The Business Development Manager expands market share ... The EmployBridge Story EmployBridge is one of the largest light industrial staffing supplier in the ...

EmployBridge

Business Development Manager

Nashville, TN · On-site

Business Development Manager - Nashville, TN The Business Development Manager expands market share ... The EmployBridge Story EmployBridge is one of the largest light industrial staffing supplier in the ...

EmployBridge

Business Development Manager

Memphis, TN · On-site

Business Development Manager - Memphis, TN The Business Development Manager expands market share ... The EmployBridge Story EmployBridge is one of the largest light industrial staffing supplier in the ...

NSK Corporation

PLANT SUPPLIER QA ENG

Dyersburg, TN · On-site

Supplier Quality Management * Evaluate, approve, and monitor supplier quality performance ... Lead supplier development activities and continuous improvement initiatives. APQP & Launch ...

NSK Corporation

PLANT SUPPLIER QA ENG

Dyersburg, TN · On-site

Supplier Quality Management * Evaluate, approve, and monitor supplier quality performance ... Lead supplier development activities and continuous improvement initiatives. APQP & Launch ...

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Supplier Development Manager information

See Tennessee salary details

$20

$48

$75

How much do supplier development manager jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 11, 2026, the average hourly pay for supplier development manager in Tennessee is $48.09, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $37.55 and $58.89 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a supplier development manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Supplier Development Manager, you need expertise in supply chain management, procurement processes, quality assurance, and typically a relevant degree in business, engineering, or supply chain. Familiarity with ERP systems, supplier performance analytics tools, and certifications like Six Sigma or APICS are commonly required. Strong negotiation, relationship-building, and problem-solving skills set top performers apart in this role. These skills are vital to ensure reliable supplier performance, cost efficiency, and continuous improvement throughout the supply chain.

What is a supplier development manager?

A Supplier Development Manager is responsible for improving the performance and capabilities of a company's suppliers. They work closely with suppliers to ensure they meet quality, cost, and delivery standards, and help implement process improvements. This role often involves evaluating supplier performance, fostering strong relationships, and collaborating on initiatives that drive mutual growth. Supplier Development Managers play a key role in optimizing the supply chain and supporting business objectives.

What is the difference between Supplier Development Manager vs Procurement Specialist?

AspectSupplier Development ManagerProcurement Specialist
CredentialsBachelor's degree; certifications like CPSM or CSCP often preferredBachelor's degree; certifications like CPSM or CSCP beneficial
Work EnvironmentCollaborates with suppliers to improve quality, cost, and deliveryFocuses on sourcing, purchasing, and contract negotiations
Industry UsageCommon in manufacturing, automotive, and supply chain sectorsWidely used across various industries including retail and logistics

The Supplier Development Manager and Procurement Specialist roles both require supply chain knowledge and certifications like CPSM or CSCP. However, the Supplier Development Manager primarily works on improving supplier performance and relationships, while the Procurement Specialist focuses on sourcing and purchasing activities. Both roles are essential in supply chain management but serve different functions within organizations.

What are the typical challenges faced by a supplier development manager when working with new suppliers?

A Supplier Development Manager often encounters challenges such as aligning new suppliers with the company's quality standards, managing communication across different cultures and time zones, and ensuring timely delivery during the initial phases of collaboration. Building trust and establishing clear performance metrics are crucial, and it can take time for suppliers to adapt to new processes or expectations. Successful Supplier Development Managers proactively address these issues through regular site visits, continuous training, and fostering transparent communication channels with suppliers.
What are popular job titles related to Supplier Development Manager jobs in Tennessee? For Supplier Development Manager jobs in Tennessee, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Supplier Development Manager jobs in Tennessee look for? The top searched job categories for Supplier Development Manager jobs in Tennessee are:
What cities in Tennessee are hiring for Supplier Development Manager jobs? Cities in Tennessee with the most Supplier Development Manager job openings:
Supplier Development Manager jobs near you
Infographic showing various Supplier Development Manager job openings in Tennessee as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $100,032 per year, or $48.1 per hour.

Supplier Development Engineer

BERETTA USA CORP

Gallatin, TN • On-site

Full-time

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.

Job description

The Supplier Development Engineer is a high-impact, hands-on role responsible for elevating supplier capability, accelerating performance recovery, and building a stronger, more reliable supply base for discrete manufacturing operations. This role partners aggressively with Supply Chain, Quality, Engineering, Manufacturing, and suppliers to drive measurable gains in quality, delivery, cost, capacity, and launch readiness. The position requires a process-driven leader who can move quickly from diagnosis to action, apply lean tools at the source, remove barriers, and deliver sustained supplier performance improvement.

Key Responsibilities
  • Build and execute aggressive supplier development plans for critical, high-risk, or underperforming suppliers supporting discrete manufacturing operations.
  • Rapidly assess supplier manufacturing processes, quality systems, capacity, tooling, controls, staffing, and readiness to meet production requirements.
  • Lead targeted improvement projects that increase quality, delivery, throughput, lead time performance, scrap reduction, and process stability.
  • Drive supplier launch readiness for new product introductions, sourcing transitions, and supplier changes through APQP, PPAP, first article inspection, run-at-rate reviews, and production readiness assessments.
  • Conduct on-site supplier audits, process capability reviews, risk assessments, and manufacturing feasibility evaluations with clear action plans and owners.
  • Attack root causes using structured problem-solving methods such as 8D, 5 Whys, fishbone analysis, mistake-proofing, and verified corrective action.
  • Partner with Supplier Quality to contain issues quickly, resolve nonconforming material concerns, eliminate recurring defects, and prevent supplier escapes.
  • Collaborate with Purchasing and Strategic Sourcing to qualify stronger suppliers, evaluate capability, and support make-buy, resourcing, and localization decisions.
  • Work with Engineering and Manufacturing Engineering to resolve specification, drawing, tolerance, inspection, process control, and manufacturability issues that limit supplier performance.
  • Use supplier performance data to expose trends, prioritize risk, trigger escalation, and focus resources on the highest-impact improvement opportunities.
  • Deliver cost-reduction and value-improvement results through process optimization, yield improvement, waste elimination, manufacturability improvements, and lead time reduction.
  • Build strong supplier relationships while creating clear accountability for commitments, corrective actions, timelines, and business results.
  • Communicate supplier risks, action plans, technical findings, recovery status, and executive updates with clarity, urgency, and precision.
Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Materials Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, or a related technical field.
  • Three to seven years of experience in supplier development, supplier quality, manufacturing engineering, quality engineering, process engineering, continuous improvement, or a related manufacturing role.
  • Hands-on experience in a discrete manufacturing environment involving machined parts, fabricated components, castings, forgings, stampings, molded parts, assemblies, finishing processes, or other engineered components.
  • Proven ability to operate in a process-driven manner using standards, documented workflows, visual controls, performance metrics, escalation routines, and disciplined follow-up.
  • Demonstrated success applying lean tools such as value stream mapping, standard work, 5S, visual management, Kaizen, root cause analysis, error proofing, takt time, line balancing, waste reduction, and daily management systems.
  • Strong bias for action with the ability to quickly diagnose supplier performance gaps, engage stakeholders, escalate barriers, and drive corrective actions to verified closure.
  • High drive for results with a track record of improving supplier quality, delivery, lead time, productivity, cost, capacity, or launch performance through structured improvement projects.
  • Experience with APQP, PPAP, FMEA, control plans, process flow diagrams, capability studies, corrective action, and root cause analysis.
  • Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, GD&T, inspection plans, and technical requirements.
  • Strong analytical, project management, communication, and supplier-facing problem-solving skills.
  • Willingness and ability to travel to supplier sites to audit processes, resolve issues, validate corrective actions, and accelerate supplier development projects.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Lean, Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt, ASQ Certified Quality Engineer, ISO 9001 Lead Auditor, or similar quality/manufacturing certification.
  • Experience using lean daily management, tiered accountability, supplier scorecards, standard work audits, action registers, and visual performance boards to sustain improvement.
  • Experience with ERP, supplier portals, quality management systems, statistical analysis tools, and manufacturing performance dashboards.
  • Experience supporting regulated or highly controlled manufacturing environments such as automotive, aerospace, defense, firearms, industrial equipment, medical device, or precision machining.
  • Experience leading cross-functional supplier recovery projects, rapid improvement events, capacity expansion plans, or supplier localization/resourcing initiatives with measurable results.
Core Competencies
  • Process discipline: Operates through clear standards, repeatable methods, documented action plans, defined ownership, and consistent follow-up.
  • Lean execution: Applies lean tools practically at supplier sites to remove waste, stabilize processes, improve flow, and sustain measurable performance gains.
  • Bias for action: Moves quickly from issue identification to containment, root cause, corrective action, and verified closure without waiting for perfect information.
  • Drive for results: Sets clear targets, measures progress, removes obstacles, and delivers improvements in quality, delivery, cost, capacity, and lead time.
  • Structured problem solving: Uses data, observation, root cause analysis, and corrective action discipline to eliminate recurring supplier issues.
  • Supplier influence and accountability: Builds productive supplier relationships while holding suppliers accountable to commitments, timelines, and performance expectations.
  • Cross-functional collaboration: Works effectively with Supply Chain, Quality, Engineering, Manufacturing, Planning, and Operations leadership to accelerate execution.
  • Data-driven decision making: Uses supplier scorecards, defect data, delivery performance, capacity analysis, and cost information to prioritize action.
Key Performance Indicators
  • Improvement in supplier on-time delivery performance and recovery of delinquent or constrained suppliers.
  • Reduction in supplier defects, nonconforming material trends, repeat issues, and quality escapes.
  • Speed and effectiveness of corrective action closure, including verified recurrence prevention.
  • Completion of supplier audits, risk assessments, launch readiness reviews, and PPAP/FAI approvals on time and with clear follow-through.
  • Supplier capacity readiness to support production demand, surge requirements, and new product launches.
  • Cost savings, productivity gains, scrap reduction, yield improvement, and lead time reduction delivered through supplier development projects.
  • Timely execution of supplier recovery plans, escalation actions, executive updates, and measurable improvement milestones.
Reporting Relationship and Work Environment

This position typically reports to the Supply Chain organization and works closely with commodity managers, buyers, planners, quality engineers, manufacturing engineers, design engineers, and production leadership. The role operates in both office and manufacturing environments and requires regular interaction with suppliers, including on-site visits to manufacturing facilities. Travel may be required based on supplier location, launch activity, performance risk, or urgent production needs.