Inside the Role
Inside the Role
This position is responsible for leading and managing a portfolio of automotive suppliers to ensure the delivery of high-quality powertrain components at the required capacity levels. The role ensures supplier performance, capacity readiness, and compliance through the application of supplier management governance frameworks, including structured performance monitoring, escalation management, and continuous improvement initiatives.
As part of the Global Procurement and Supplier Management organization, this position works cross-functionally to drive supplier alignment with business requirements and operational targets. The role reports directly to the responsible Supplier Management Quality Team Leader and plays a key role in supporting overall supply chain stability and production readiness.
When you join Daimler Truck, you become an agent of change within a global network committed to building a cleaner, safer, and more efficient future. Through innovation, collaboration, and strong governance practices, our teams continuously enhance product quality, operational performance, and customer satisfaction.
Daimler Truck North America (DTNA) offers a leading portfolio of brands, including Freightliner Trucks, Western Star Trucks, Detroit engines and components, Thomas Built Buses, and Freightliner Custom Chassis. This position contributes directly to the success of these brands by ensuring a high-performing, reliable, and strategically managed supply base.
Posting Information
We provide a scheduled posting end date to assist our candidates with their application planning. While this date reflects our latest plans, it is subject to change, and postings may be extended or removed earlier than expected.
We Take Care of Our Team
• Typically requires a Bachelors Degree
• Typically requires 2-4 years of relevant experience or 6 years experience in lieu of degree
• Requires working knowledge and expanded professional experience in job field
• Requires understanding of key business drivers
• Works independently within guidelines and policies to solve problems of moderate complexity
• Provides informal guidance to new team members
• May lead projects or processes as required
What You Drive at DTNA
- Partner with suppliers to monitor performance, communicate expectations, and ensure timely implementation of corrective and preventive actions.
- Lead supplier quality improvement initiatives to strengthen process capability, reduce variation, and improve overall manufacturing performance using methodologies such as process analysis, value stream mapping, Six Sigma, 5S, and Kaizen.
- Support new product launches by guiding suppliers through Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) activities and ensuring readiness for series production.
- Maintain supplier audit schedules and quality system records to ensure compliance with internal standards and industry requirements.
- Document and manage supplier quality issues, including investigation findings, containment actions, disposition decisions, and long-term resolution plans.
- Conduct supplier process and product audits to verify compliance, confirm product conformity, and drive standardization, waste reduction, and continuous improvement.
- Monitor, analyze, and improve key supplier quality and delivery metrics, including DPPM, quality complaints, and capacity readiness to support on-time shipment performance.
- Lead or support the development of short- and long-term supplier quality objectives aligned with business goals, customer requirements, and operational priorities.
- Champion structured problem-solving and root cause analysis with suppliers and cross-functional teams to eliminate repeat nonconformances and improve overall product quality.
- Resolve supplier technical and quality issues with urgency to protect production continuity, minimize disruption, and support customer satisfaction.
- Review and approve supplier PPAP submissions and evaluate critical deliverables such as control plans, capability studies, part layouts, gage designs, gage R&R, PFMEA, and DFMEA while supporting supplier changes and launch readiness activities.
Knowledge You Should Bring
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering with 2-4 years of relevant experience
- Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to work effectively across suppliers, operations, engineering, and cross-functional teams.
Exceptional Candidates Might Have
- Project management experience supporting supplier development, launch readiness, or quality improvement initiatives.
- Experience with statistical process control and data-driven analysis to improve process stability and product quality.
- Working knowledge of GD&T and its application in manufacturing and supplier quality processes.
- Hands-on experience with structured problem-solving methodologies and root cause analysis tools.
- Strong understanding of the PPAP review and approval process, including required documentation and production readiness expectations.
- Audit experience with automotive and quality management standards such as VDA, IATF 16949, and ISO 9001.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
- Foreign language skills are a plus in support of global supplier engagement.
Where We Work
This position is open to applicants who can work in (or relocate to) the following location(s)-
How We Collaborate
To continue building a great place to work for all, we are committed to a culture that creates flexibility and encourages a supportive working environment that achieves the needs of our business and employees.
Schedule Type:
Hybrid
Where We Work
This position is open to applicants who can work in (or relocate to) the following location(s)-
Detroit, MI US. Relocation assistance is not available for this position.
Schedule Type:
Hybrid (4 days per week in-office / 1 day remote). This schedule builds our #OneTeamBestTeam culture, provides an unparalleled customer experience, and creates innovative solutions through in-person collaboration.
At Daimler Truck North America, we recognize our world is changing faster than ever before. By listening to the needs of today, we’re building to solve with cutting-edge solutions in sustainability and future driving technology across electric, hydrogen and autonomous. These solutions, backed by years of innovative success and achievement, continue DTNA’s legacy as the undisputed industry leader. Our evolving brand portfolio is second to none, including Freightliner Trucks, Western Star, Demand Detroit, Thomas Built Buses, Freightliner Custom Chassis, and Financial Services. Together, we work as one team towards our envisioned future – building a cleaner, safer and more efficient tomorrow for all.
That is what we are working toward - for all who keep the world moving.
Additional Information
- This position is not open for Visa sponsorship or to existing Visa holders
- Applicants must be legally authorized to work permanently in the country the position is located in at the time of application
- Final candidate must successfully complete a criminal background check
- Final candidate may be required to successfully complete a pre-employment drug screen
- Contractors, professional services, or other contingent workers should confirm with their local agency if they are eligible to apply for FTE positions
- EEO - Disabled/Veterans
Daimler Truck North America is committed to workforce inclusion and providing an environment where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, sex (including pregnancy), religion, national origin, age, marital status, family relationship, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression (including transgender and transitioning status), genetic information, or veteran status.
For an accommodation or special assistance with applying for a posted position, please contact our Human Resources department at 503-745-8982 or toll free 800-206-3369. For TTY/TDD enabled call 503-745-2137 or toll free 866-355-6935.
