Supplier Development Engineer II

Fender Musical Instruments Corporation is a world-famous brand with offices across the globe. Fender was born in Southern California and has built a worldwide influence beyond the studio and the stage. A Fender is more than an instrument; it’s a cultural symbol that resonates globally.

We are searching for a Supplier Development Engineer II to support strategic sourcing, supplier performance, and new product launch readiness across our manufacturing operations. In this role, you will evaluate supplier capability, drive continuous improvement, and partner with Engineering, Quality, and Sourcing to ensure suppliers meet Fender’s performance, quality, and production requirements.

Essential Functions:

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure assigned suppliers support new product launches and business growth objectives.

• Develop and improve the strategic supplier base and supply chain in alignment with Sourcing leadership.

• Provide advanced engineering guidance regarding new technologies, materials, processes, and supplier alternatives.

• Analyze supplier capacity and process capabilities to support sourcing decisions for new projects.

• Create, organize, and classify new part numbers by family to define project priorities.

• Propose qualification methods for projects in alignment with Quality and Engineering teams.

• Measure and communicate project progress based on SKUs, annual volume, and spend; deliver weekly/monthly updates to stakeholders.

• Manage suppliers to improve production output, increase productivity, and eliminate bottlenecks using constraint management and throughput optimization.

• Identify opportunities for supplier performance improvement by analyzing delivery and service data.

• Develop Supplier Improvement Programs for low-performing suppliers, defining corrective actions and conducting follow-up meetings.

• Support suppliers on proposed scheduling or setup changes to meet production needs efficiently.

• Recommend new molds or tooling when additional capacity is required.

• Review supplier manufacturing processes to ensure compliance with Quality Management Systems (e.g., ISO 9001:2015).

• Apply Lean Six Sigma principles to improve manufacturing processes and reduce defects.

• Conduct factory tours to evaluate process flow, identify risks, and perform FMEA-based risk assessments.

• Audit plating processes and plastic injection processes; define control plans and Poka-yoke solutions to prevent defects and escapes.

• Train suppliers on core quality tools such as Pareto, Fishbone, and 5 Whys.

• Up to 50% travel within the U.S. on a biweekly basis.

• Additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Quality Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering.

• 7 years of progressive post-baccalaureate experience as a supply chain quality engineer or similar supplier quality role.

• Experience developing and managing strategic supplier bases.

• Experience working in a manufacturing plant operations environment.

• Proficiency with ERP systems such as SAP.

• Experience applying Lean Six Sigma principles in manufacturing environments.

• Knowledge of Quality Management Systems such as ISO 9001:2015.

• Experience in sourcing and supply chain management.

• Experience auditing plating processes and/or plastic injected parts.

• Ability to adhere to all factory safety procedures, rules, and regulations at all times, including wearing required PPE such as safety glasses, gloves, earplugs, hair nets, paint suits, masks, respirators, and protective footwear.

About Fender Musical Instruments:

Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) is one of the world’s leading musical instrument manufacturers, marketers and distributors, whose portfolio of brands includes Fender®, Squier®, Gretsch®, Jackson®, EVH®, Charvel® and Groove Tubes®, among others. For more information, visit www.fender.com. FMIC offers a competitive benefits package which includes medical, dental, 401(k), paid time off, and an equipment purchase program to help you get the band back together. Fender Musical Instruments Corporation is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, gender, age, color, religion, disability, veterans’ status, sexual orientation, or any other protected factor.

Fender is required by law in certain jurisdictions to include a pay scale in the job posting for this position.  “Pay scale” means the salary or hourly wage range that Fender reasonably expects to pay for this position; it is neither a promise nor a guarantee of the compensation that the successful candidate will receive.  The pay scale for this position takes into account the wide range of factors that Fender considers in making compensation decisions, including, without limitation: skill set, experience, and training, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs.  If this is a remote position, the pay scale disclosed herein may be adjusted further based upon the applicable geographic differential associated with the location from which the successful candidate will work.  Please note that it is not typical for a Fender employee to be at or near the top of the pay scale for their role – especially as a new hire – and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case.  Subject to the foregoing, the current pay scale for this position is $85,000 to $95,000 per year.

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