Manager of Supplier Development – Tulsa OK

Unified Talent Group is partnered with a well-respected manufacturer in Tulsa, OK, in search of a Manager of Supplier Development to lead supplier performance, development, and continuous improvement initiatives across its supply base. This role is responsible for strengthening supplier capabilities, improving delivery and quality performance, and ensuring suppliers consistently meet operational, cost, and contractual expectations.

In this role, you will work closely with suppliers and internal teams to identify performance gaps, implement corrective actions, mitigate supply chain risks, and drive long-term improvements. The ideal candidate combines strong supplier management and manufacturing knowledge with excellent relationship-building, problem-solving, and project management skills.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead supplier development and continuous improvement initiatives focused on delivery, quality, cost, and overall operational performance
• Evaluate supplier manufacturing processes and capabilities to identify risks, constraints, and opportunities for improvement
• Develop and execute supplier improvement plans, corrective actions, and performance recovery strategies
• Monitor supplier capacity, operational readiness, and performance to proactively identify and mitigate supply chain risks
• Assess total procurement costs and supplier capabilities to support strategic sourcing and supply chain decisions
• Support continuous improvement and lean manufacturing initiatives throughout the supply base
• Lead supplier assessments and performance reviews to evaluate capabilities, compliance, and long-term viability
• Partner with underperforming suppliers to diagnose root causes, establish corrective action plans, and monitor progress
• Support product transitions and new supplier onboarding by evaluating capacity, readiness, and potential operational risks
• Collaborate with Supply Chain, Engineering, Quality, and other internal teams to ensure suppliers meet technical and operational requirements
• Support new product introductions by coordinating supplier qualification activities, testing schedules, and communication between suppliers and internal teams
• Develop and enhance supplier management processes, including risk management, performance monitoring, and supplier development programs
• Build strong supplier relationships while maintaining accountability for performance expectations
• Manage multiple supplier initiatives and priorities while ensuring projects remain on schedule
• Identify opportunities to improve supplier management processes, efficiency, and overall supply chain performance

Technical Skills

• Strong knowledge of supplier development, supplier performance management, and manufacturing operations
• Experience with continuous improvement methodologies and lean manufacturing principles
• Strong understanding of supplier quality, capacity planning, risk management, and corrective action processes
• Excellent program and project management skills
• Ability to evaluate supplier performance data and communicate findings clearly to stakeholders
• Strong problem-solving and root-cause analysis capabilities
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to build productive supplier relationships
• Ability to navigate challenging supplier situations, resolve conflicts, and maintain project timelines
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple time-sensitive priorities
• Ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with stakeholders at all levels of an organization
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Materials Management, Engineering, or a related discipline
• 8+ years of related experience in supplier development, supplier management, manufacturing, supply chain, or a related function
• Previous leadership or management experience within a supplier development or manufacturing environment
• Experience managing supplier performance, corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives
• Continuous improvement or Six Sigma certification preferred
• Demonstrated experience working cross-functionally with Supply Chain, Engineering, Quality, and other operational teams

What’s in it for you?

• Opportunity to lead high-impact supplier development and continuous improvement initiatives
• Highly visible role with exposure across multiple areas of the organization
• Opportunity to influence supplier strategy, operational performance, and supply chain effectiveness
• Collaborative environment with significant interaction across internal teams and external supplier partners
• Opportunities for continued professional growth and leadership development