Position Overview
The Global Supplier Capacity Manager is a high-impact leadership role responsible for identifying, managing, and mitigating supplier capacity risks across International Motors and TRATON programs. This role plays a critical part in ensuring suppliers are ready to support new product launches, maintain stable production, and deliver the parts needed to keep our operations—and our customers—moving.
You’ll serve as a key cross-functional leader and subject matter expert for supplier capacity, partnering with Procurement, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Engineering, Quality, Logistics, Program Management, and suppliers to identify constraints, solve complex supply challenges, and drive sustainable capacity improvements.
From capacity planning and launch readiness to shortage management and recovery strategies, you’ll turn data and supplier insights into actionable solutions. You’ll lead efforts to strengthen supplier performance, reduce production risk, and build long-term supply continuity across a global network.
This role combines strategic thinking, analytical problem-solving, supplier engagement, and operational leadership. You’ll evaluate supplier capacity, lead readiness and recovery reviews, analyze capacity data, support supplier development, drive process improvements, and deliver training initiatives that strengthen supplier capability and resilience.
Responsibilities
Supplier Capacity Risk Management
- Lead onsite and virtual supplier capacity assessments to identify constraints, supply continuity risks, and recovery actions.
- Monitor supplier capacity versus demand forecasts and maintain risk profiles for high-risk suppliers.
- Develop mitigation, allocation, contingency, and recovery plans when supplier constraints threaten production.
Program & Launch Readiness
- Lead capacity readiness reviews for launches, volume increases, engineering changes, and strategic sourcing events.
- Validate supplier capacity assumptions and quoted volumes during sourcing and nomination activities.
- Partner with Category Management and Program Teams to integrate capacity requirements into sourcing and launch plans.
Supply Constraint Resolution
- Serve as the escalation point for critical supplier capacity and supply continuity issues.
- Lead cross-functional recovery efforts with Manufacturing, Quality, Engineering, Logistics, and Procurement.
- Manage supplier recovery plans, including capacity expansion, allocation, overtime, equipment investment, and alternate sourcing actions.
Cross-Functional Leadership
- Lead supplier capacity reviews with executive leadership, program teams, and operational stakeholders.
- Coordinate priorities across Procurement Operations, Material Planning, Manufacturing, Logistics, Supplier Quality, and Engineering.
- Align demand planning, supplier capabilities, and manufacturing requirements.
Analytics & Capacity Planning
- Analyze EDI schedules, MRP signals, forecast volatility, demand changes, and supplier production data to identify risk.
- Develop dashboards, scorecards, and executive reporting on supplier readiness, capacity risk, and recovery progress.
- Support PowerBI and digital transformation initiatives for supplier capacity management.
Continuous Improvement & Supplier Development
- Lead root-cause analysis and corrective actions to eliminate recurring shortages and process failures.
- Develop supplier training materials and capability-building programs, including Supplier University and readiness initiatives.
- Identify opportunities to improve supplier performance, manufacturing efficiency, and supply chain resilience.
Strategic Capacity Management
- Support enterprise capacity strategy across International and TRATON supplier networks.
- Maintain capacity documentation, risk assessments, and supplier capacity databases.
- Partner with sourcing teams to align long-range capacity plans, business awards, and supplier growth strategies.
Minimum Requirements
- Bachelor's degree and at least 6 years of purchasing/procurement experience
- At least 3 years of lead experience
OR
- Master's degree and at least 5 years of purchasing/procurement experience
- At least 3 years of lead experience
OR
- At least 10 years of purchasing/procurement experience
- At least 3 years of lead experience
Additional Requirements
- Qualified candidates, excluding current employees, must be legally authorized on an unrestricted basis (US Citizen, Legal Permanent Resident, Refugee or Asylee) to be employed in the United States. We do not anticipate providing employment related work sponsorship for this position (e.g., H-1B status)
Desired Skills
- 5+ Years of Manufacturing Management Experience — proven experience managing and developing teams within a medium-sized or larger manufacturing environment, with responsibility for performance, accountability, and operational execution
- Enterprise & Cross-Functional Leadership — serves as a key lead across TRATON, partnering effectively with
- Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Procurement, Logistics, and other business functions
- Supplier Management Expertise — experience working with and managing Tier 2 and Tier 3 suppliers, including supplier performance, capacity, delivery, and issue resolution
- Capacity & Shortage Management — demonstrated ability to proactively identify capacity constraints, manage shortages, develop mitigation plans, and drive resolution to protect production
- Capacity Planning Systems — familiarity with capacity planning and management systems; experience with TADA is highly valued
- Material Management Experience — strong understanding of material flow, inventory, availability, and material planning within a manufacturing environment
- Production Planning & Scheduling — experience with MRP/EDI, production scheduling, and coordinating material requirements to support production
- Manufacturing & Operations Expertise — strong understanding of manufacturing operations and the ability to translate business needs into effective operational strategies
- Supply Chain Management — experience managing supply chain activities and identifying opportunities to improve efficiency, responsiveness, and overall performance
- Logistics & Packaging Knowledge — understanding of logistics, transportation, packaging, and material handling processes
- Strategic & Analytical Mindset — ability to leverage data, business insights, and problem-solving skills to make informed decisions and drive continuous improvement
- LEAN & Continuous Improvement — knowledge of LEAN principles and experience identifying opportunities to reduce waste, improve processes, and increase operational efficiency
- Executive Communication & Presentation Skills — highly comfortable presenting to and communicating with all levels of leadership, including senior executives, with the ability to clearly communicate risks, recommendations, and results
