Leads complex supplier development and quality programs, including supplier qualification, capability improvement, risk reduction, process optimization, and supply continuity. Partners with Procurement, Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, Quality, and external suppliers to manage plans, milestones, dependencies, risks, and corrective actions. Performs supplier assessments, manufacturing evaluations, root cause investigations, and technical due diligence while mentoring engineers and influencing cross-functional decisions. The role requires on-site work in Alameda and may involve up to 25% business travel.
General Summary
We are establishing a dedicated Supplier Development capability within Supplier Quality Engineering focused on strategic supply chain initiatives, strengthening supplier capability, and improving long-term supply continuity and resiliency. The Associate Principal Supplier Quality Engineer (Supplier Development) will serve as a technical and program leader for high-priority supplier initiatives, partnering with Strategic Procurement and cross-functional stakeholders to define strategy, align resources, manage interdependent workstreams, and drive programs through execution. This is an opportunity to help shape and grow an emerging organization while leading initiatives with broad business visibility, cross-functional influence, and long-term impact.
This position is responsible for leading complex, cross-functional supplier development programs spanning supplier qualification, capability improvement, risk reduction, and supply continuity. The role will establish program plans, integrate technical and business requirements, manage risks and dependencies, and mobilize internal and external stakeholders to improve supplier quality, scalability, process robustness, and readiness to support business growth. The individual will provide technical leadership across a portfolio of supplier initiatives and influence decisions that affect supply continuity, product quality, and long-term supplier strategy.
Primary Responsibilities
Supplier Development & Capability Improvement
- Lead and/or support supplier capability development initiatives to improve quality, scalability, process robustness, and long-term supplier readiness.
- Execute and support supplier improvement roadmaps and long-term development plans aligned with Strategic Procurement strategies and Technical Operations Engineering priorities
- Drive supplier improvement activities including Kaizen events, process optimization projects, variation reduction efforts, and operational excellence initiatives.
- Perform supplier capability assessments, manufacturing evaluations, and technical due diligence activities
- Support make-versus-buy analyses by providing technical, quality, and manufacturing assessments
- Identify and drive opportunities to improve supplier performance, supply risk, and supplier controls
Supplier Qualification & Enablement
- Lead supplier qualification activities including process assessments, manufacturing readiness evaluations, and technical reviews.
- Support complex supplier programs including large qualifications, supplier expansion activities, and supplier capability growth efforts
- Lead supplier stabilization and monitoring activities for new suppliers, outsourced processes, or developing supply chains
- Support Strategic Procurement on:
- Category strategy and diversification efforts
- New supplier identification, qualification, and development initiatives
- Supply risk reduction initiatives and inspection programs
- Evaluation of outsource programs
Supply Risk Reduction
- Assess supplier capability, capacity, scalability, and operational risks that could impact supply continuity
- Support supplier segmentation and risk stratification activities
- Participate in subtier supplier assessments and mitigation efforts when appropriate
- Drive technical risk reduction activities for critical suppliers and supply chain initiatives
- Support development of long-term supply continuity and supplier resiliency strategies
Technical Leadership
- Lead complex, cross-functional supplier development programs from definition through implementation, including scope, milestones, resources, dependencies, risks, and measurable outcomes.
- Manage multiple concurrent supplier initiatives, establish integrated project plans and governance, track commitments and critical-path activities, proactively resolve barriers, and escalate decisions needed to maintain schedule and achieve program objectives.
- Apply engineering and quality tools to identify sources of process variation and opportunities for improvement such as supplier kaizens.
- Lead complex root cause investigations and corrective action efforts involving suppliers.
- Mentor Supplier Quality Engineers and cross-functional team members on supplier quality, process capability, and supplier development methodologies.
- Lead internal and supplier cross-functional teams through influence, align stakeholders on priorities and accountabilities, and drive timely decisions across Procurement, Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, and Quality organizations.
Cross-Functional Partnership
- Collaborate closely with Strategic Procurement, Manufacturing Engineering, R&D, Operations, and Quality teams.
- Support new product introductions, supplier transfers, second-source qualifications, and supplier improvement projects.
- Provide concise program updates to leadership and project teams, clearly communicating supplier performance, schedule status, risks, dependencies, decisions, and recovery plans.
- Build strong working relationships with suppliers to drive sustainable improvements and long-term partnerships.
Required Qualifications
- BS or MS degree in Engineering or related technical discipline.
- 8+ years of progressive experience in Supplier Engineering, Supplier Development, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality Engineering, Supplier Quality Engineering, Project Engineering, Operations Engineering, or related technical functions, including experience leading complex cross-functional programs.
- Experience leading supplier development, process improvement, supplier value-adds or capability development initiatives.
- Experience working directly with suppliers to resolve technical, quality, or manufacturing challenges.
- Demonstrated experience partnering with Procurement, Engineering, Manufacturing, and Quality organizations.
- Demonstrated project management or project engineering experience leading multiple concurrent, complex initiatives, including development of project plans, schedules, milestones, and executive-level status updates.
- Ability to independently lead ambiguous, high-impact initiatives; translate strategic objectives into executable plans; and drive internal and external stakeholders to timely decisions and measurable results.
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- Medical device or other regulated manufacturing experience.
- Lean or Six Sigma training preferred.
- Experience with supplier diversification efforts, second-source programs, or supplier transfer initiatives.
- Experience leading supplier Kaizens and continuous improvement efforts.
- Experience supporting supplier capability growth, scalability, and operational excellence initiatives.
- Experience assessing manufacturing processes, process capability, and production readiness.
- Experience with global suppliers and complex supply chains.
- Working knowledge of statistical methods, process validation, risk management, and root cause analysis methodologies.
- PMP certification, formal project management training, or equivalent demonstrated experience leading complex technical programs preferred.
- ASQ CQE, CQA preferred.
What Success Looks Like
The successful candidate will be recognized as a trusted technical and program leader who can independently convert strategic supplier priorities into executable plans, lead multiple complex initiatives, align internal and external stakeholders, and deliver measurable results on schedule. This individual will improve supplier capability, reduce supply chain risk, and strengthen supplier performance, quality, and supply continuity while influencing decisions without direct management responsibility. Success will also include astute program-management and helping to shape the growth, priorities, and operating model of the Supplier Development organization.
Location: Alameda, CA
Annual Base Salary Range: $138,000 to $176,000
We offer a competitive compensation package plus a benefits and equity program, when applicable.
Individual total compensation will vary based on factors such as qualifications, skill level, competencies, and work location.
Working Conditions
- General office, laboratory, and cleanroom environments
- Willingness and ability to work on site. May have business travel from 0% - 25%
- Potential exposure to blood-borne pathogens
- Requires some lifting and moving of up to 25 pounds
- Must be able to move between buildings and floors.
- Must be able to remain stationary and use a computer or other standard office equipment, such as a printer or copy machine, for an extensive period of time each day.
- Must be able to read, prepare emails, and produce documents and spreadsheets.
- Must be able to move within the office and access file cabinets or supplies, as needed.
- Must be able to communicate and exchange accurate information with employees at all levels on a daily basis.
What We Offer
• A collaborative teamwork environment where learning is constant, and performance is rewarded.
• The opportunity to be part of the team that is revolutionizing the treatment of some of the world's most devastating diseases.
• A generous benefits package for eligible employees that includes medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, short and long-term disability insurance, 401(k) with employer match, paid parental leave, eleven paid company holidays per year, a minimum of fifteen days of accrued vacation per year, which increases with tenure, and paid sick time in compliance with applicable law(s).
Penumbra, Inc., headquartered in Alameda, California, is a global healthcare company focused on innovative therapies. Penumbra designs, develops, manufactures, and markets novel products and has a broad portfolio that addresses challenging medical conditions in markets with significant unmet need. Penumbra sells its products to hospitals and healthcare providers primarily through its direct sales organization in the United States, most of Europe, Canada, and Australia, and through distributors in select international markets. The Penumbra logo is a trademark of Penumbra, Inc.
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
If you reside in the State of California, please also refer to Penumbra's Privacy Notice for California Residents.
For additional information on Penumbra’s commitment to being an equal opportunity employer, please see Penumbra's AAP Policy Statement.
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