Senior Strategic Supplier Development Lead – U.S. Manufacturing

Location: San Francisco Bay Area, CA (Remote – Bay Area Only)
Travel: 25–50% (primarily local supplier site visits)

Build and Strengthen the U.S. Manufacturing Network Behind the World’s Most Innovative Hardware

Fictiv is redefining how hardware gets built. Our platform only succeeds if our manufacturing partners are exceptional.

We’re looking for a Senior Strategic Supplier Development Lead to expand, strengthen, and optimize our U.S. manufacturing network across CNC machining, sheet metal, injection molding, and additive manufacturing.

This is a highly visible, field-oriented role for someone who understands real-world manufacturing — equipment, process capability, production constraints, quality systems, and scalability. You won’t be qualifying suppliers from spreadsheets. You’ll be on shop floors, evaluating capability firsthand, building trust with owners and operations leaders, and elevating performance across the network.

This role is remote, but candidates must reside in the San Francisco Bay Area to support frequent in-person supplier engagement.

You will report to the Manager of Strategic Sourcing, U.S., and operate as a senior-level individual contributor and manufacturing subject matter expert.

Why This Role Is Critical

The strength of our domestic supplier network directly impacts:

• Customer experience and delivery performance

• Quality, scalability, and program success

• Cost competitiveness and lead time reliability

• Operational resilience across our U.S. supply base

Your decisions will shape how Fictiv scales complex manufacturing programs across industries.

What You’ll Lead

Supplier Identification & Qualification

• Identify and evaluate new U.S.-based manufacturing partners

• Conduct in-person facility assessments (equipment, process controls, quality systems, capacity)

• Validate true manufacturing capability — beyond certifications and quoting claims

• Own supplier onboarding from initial evaluation through production readiness

Strategic Supplier Relationship Management

• Build long-term, performance-driven relationships with key manufacturing partners

• Serve as a primary escalation and alignment point for supplier performance

• Drive accountability around quality, delivery, and responsiveness

• Maintain regular onsite engagement to ensure operational alignment

Commercial & Performance Alignment

• Lead or support negotiation of Manufacturing Service Agreements (MSAs)

• Align on pricing structures, lead times, capacity commitments, and service expectations

• Balance cost competitiveness with sustainable supplier partnerships

Supplier Development & Continuous Improvement

• Drive supplier capability enhancement initiatives

• Partner cross-functionally to resolve systemic quality or operational issues

• Improve throughput, responsiveness, and reliability across the network

• Share best practices and elevate overall supplier maturity

Network Optimization & Cost Transparency

• Strategically manage supplier portfolio mix and utilization

• Analyze cost structures, performance data, and capacity coverage

• Improve transparency, resilience, and scalability across the domestic network

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with Sales, Product, Quality, DFM/Costing, and Operations

• Support sourcing strategies for complex or high-visibility customer programs

• Align supplier strategy with customer demand and long-term growth plans

Be Present Where the Work Happens

This is not a desk-based sourcing role.

You will:

• Conduct regular on-site manufacturing partner visits

• Evaluate constraints and improvement opportunities firsthand

• Build credibility through face-to-face engagement

Travel: 25–50%, primarily within the San Francisco Bay Area.

What You Bring

• 7+ years of experience in supplier development, manufacturing sourcing, supply chain, or manufacturing engineering

• Direct, hands-on experience with U.S.-based manufacturing suppliers

• Regular experience conducting on-site supplier evaluations

• Strong technical understanding of CNC machining, sheet metal fabrication, injection molding, and/or additive manufacturing

• Proven track record qualifying and developing manufacturing partners

• Ability to analyze cost models and operational performance metrics

• Strong negotiation and stakeholder management skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Supply Chain, Business, or related field (Master’s preferred)

• Self-directed and comfortable operating autonomously

• Ability to travel 25–50% locally

Compliance Requirement

This role requires access to export-controlled technology and is restricted to U.S. persons under 8 U.S.C. §1324b.

Eligible candidates include U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents (Green Card holders). Proof of status will be required prior to employment.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive medical, dental, and vision insurance

• 401(k) plan

• Monthly virtual work stipend (internet, food, wellness, pet care, travel)

• Annual education stipend

• Paid parental leave

• Paid volunteer days

• Full ergonomic onboarding setup (standing desk, laptop, monitor, chair)

• Equipment stipend

• And more

Salary Range

$120,000 – $145,000 per year, depending on experience