The SME partners closely with Category, Divisions, Engineerin
The Subject Matter Expert (SME) – Castings is responsible for providing deep technical and strategic expertise across the casting supply base to enable best-in-class supply chain performance. This role combines supplier development, and technical leadership to ensure the delivery of high-quality, cost-effective, and reliable cast components aligned with category strategy
The SME is recognized as a global authority in the field, providing deep technical expertise to address knowledge gaps across projects and support strategic development initiatives, while serving as the primary technical authority for casting processes and supplier capabilities supporting both proactive strategic initiatives, supplier development and issue resolution.
g, Quality, and Manufacturing to optimize casting design, improve supplier capabilities, mitigate risks, and drive continuous improvement across the global supply base
SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITY
1. Technical Leadership
- Support development and execution of casting category strategies and long-term sourcing plans
- Provide technical expertise on casting processes (sand, investment, die, shell, permanent mold, etc.) and manufacturability optimization
- Collaborate with engineering to optimize designs for cost, quality, and performance
- Conduct market and technology assessments to identify innovations, trends, and supplier risks
2. Supplier development & Performance Improvement
- Lead and support supplier development initiatives to improve quality, delivery, cost, and capacity performance
- Assess underperforming critical suppliers and support structured improvement plans with KPIs
3. Supplier Strategy & Relationship Management
- Support supplier selection and strategic supplier footprint optimization
- Build strong relationships with key and strategic casting suppliers
- Act as escalation point for critical supplier issues and performance gaps
- Collaborate with strategic suppliers on new technologies and process improvements
4. Risk Management & Supply Chain Resilience
- Identify and mitigate supplier risks (quality, capacity, financial, regulatory)
- Support business continuity and resilience planning
- Drive proactive risk mitigation aligned with category strategy and business objectives
5. Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Work with category and division and engineering teams to define project objectives, processes, policies, procedures and rules
- Serve as the authority for casting design, metallurgy, and tooling standards, ensuring adherence to specification
- Explaining policy implementation to fellow team members
- Support product development lifecycle (PDP) and supplier readiness activities
- Support localization, globalization, and new product initiatives
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MAIN OBJECTIVES
- Project problem resolution
- Cost reduction and value creation
- Supplier capability and capacity improvement index
- Supplier risk reduction and continuity assurance
- Category performance vs. strategic targets
- Supplier development project completion rate
Qualifications Required
- Metallurgist or Material Science background is preferred along with knowledge of gating systems for steel high-mix low-volume complex castings
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related field
- 10+ years of experience in supplier development, supplier quality
- Experience in Technical aspects casting including sand castings, die castings, investment castings, permanent mold casting, and open/closed forgings procurement
- Strong knowledge of casting processes (ferrous and non-ferrous) and global supply markets
- Ability to read and interpret technical drawings and specifications
- Strong knowledge of supplier performance management and continuous improvement
- Strong analytical, communication, and influencing skills
- Technical procurement, New Product Introduction and production procurement, manufacturing, or design/development experience
- Make vs Buy analysis
- Has a good understanding of latest technologies and trends in the industry
Preferred
- Experience managing global casting suppliers (e.g., India, China, Mexico, Eastern Europe)
- Familiarity with ISO standards and quality systems
- Experience in pumps, valves, turbines, or heavy industrial manufacturing
- Advanced manufacturing knowledge
Key Competencies
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving
- Data-driven decision making
- Influence without authority
- Project management
- Continuous improvement mindset
What Success Looks Like
- Improved supplier quality, delivery, and cost performance
- Strong, resilient casting supply base aligned to business strategy
- Reduced supply risk and enhanced continuity
- Increased supplier capability and adoption of best practices
- Successful deployment of category and supplier development initiatives
