Supplier Operations and Field Support Engineer

Position Information

Reports Directly To: Purchasing Supervisor

Dotted Line Reporting Responsibility To: Manager, Production Control and ERP Systems

Quarterly Review will receive input from both solid and dotted line relationships.

Location: Greater Los Angeles / Orange County, California (Remote / Field Based)

Mission

The Supplier Operations and Field Support Engineer (FSE) serves as NWI Aerostructures' field-based engineering and operational extension at assigned suppliers. The position strengthens supplier execution by applying technical judgment, operational discipline, and cross-functional collaboration to ensure conforming product is delivered ahead of production demand. The FSE integrates Operations, Supply Chain, MRP, Supplier Quality, Engineering, and Program Management while resolving supplier issues in real time.

Position Summary

The FSE evaluates supplier performance, identifies operational risk, implements recovery strategies, and maintains production continuity. Unlike a traditional buyer, planner, or supplier quality engineer, the FSE works across functional disciplines to solve manufacturing problems at their source through engineering judgment, objective data, and professional influence.

Key Accountabilities

Protect production continuity through proactive supplier engagement.

Engineer supplier success by improving execution rather than expediting late parts.

Identify manufacturing constraints before they impact customer commitments.

Exercise delegated operational authority in the field.

Maintain schedule integrity and ERP accuracy.

Strengthen supplier capability and accountability.

Represent NWI during supplier and customer engagements.

Drive continuous improvement.

Primary Responsibilities Operations

Evaluate supplier manufacturing performance to identify constraints and production risk.

Lead supplier recovery activities following manufacturing disruptions.

Assess supplier capacity, workflow, staffing, equipment, and readiness.

Develop recovery strategies aligned with production requirements.

Escalate critical issues impacting customer commitments.

Supply Chain

Issue and modify Purchase Orders within delegated authority.

Maintain supplier commitment dates and delivery schedules in Epicor.

Monitor supplier-held NWI furnished inventory.

Verify supplier commitments in ERP.

Planning and MRP

Evaluate shortages, inventory positions, and supplier capacity.

Recommend rescheduling strategies.

Coordinate planning to minimize disruption and premium freight.

Supplier Quality

Validate corrective action implementation.

Review supplier escapes and containment.

Participate in supplier audits.

Supplier Development

Develop collaborative supplier relationships.

Identify operational improvement opportunities.

Improve throughput, quality, and delivery performance.

Program and Customer Support

Support customer visits to suppliers.

Lead or participate in rate readiness events.

Communicate supplier recovery status.

Decision Authority

Modify Purchase Orders and delivery schedules within delegated authority.

Approve supplier commitment updates in ERP.

Lead supplier recovery planning.

Validate corrective action implementation.

Recommend production rescheduling.

Request engineering and operational support.

Does not negotiate pricing, approve suppliers, or contracts.

Qualifications Required

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, or related discipline; equivalent experience considered.

Aerospace manufacturing or precision machining experience.

Ability to interpret engineering drawings and MBD.

ERP Experience (Epicor Preferred). Advanced Microsoft Excel.

Preferred CATIA familiarity.

Knowledge of aerospace special processes.

Understanding of FAIRs and AS9100.

Microsoft Project.

Measures of Success

Supplier On-Time Delivery

Supplier Quality Performance

Production Continuity

Reduction in Material Shortage

Supplier Scorecard Improvement

Reduction in Premium Freight

Customer Satisfaction

Working Environment

Remote-based in the Greater Los Angeles / Orange County region with approximately 75% remote planning and coordination and 25% supplier site engagement. Travel increases based on operational priorities and supplier recovery requirements. One week each calendar quarter will be spent on site in at NWI Nashville.

Success Statement

Success is measured by delivering conforming product before it is needed, identifying and mitigating supplier risk before production is affected, and strengthening supplier capability through technical judgment, operational leadership, and cross-functional execution.

NWI Aerostructures provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants, prohibiting discrimination and harassment of any type based on race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.