Supplier Excellence & Readiness Assessment Specialist, Manufacturing

SUPPLIER EXCELLENCE & READINESS ASSESSMENT SPECIALIST, MANUFACTURING
Canada

Full-Time, Remote

NFI is a leading global bus manufacturer of mass mobility solutions under the brands New Flyer ® (heavy-duty transit buses), MCI® (motor coaches), Alexander Dennis (single and double-deck buses), ARBOC® (low-floor cutaway and medium-duty buses), and NFI Parts™. NFI currently offers the widest range of sustainable drive systems available, including zero-emission electric (trolley, battery, fuel cell), natural gas, electric hybrid, and clean diesel. In total, NFI supports its installed base in our buses and coaches around the world. Further information is available at

POSITION SUMMARY: The Supplier Excellence & Readiness Assessment Specialist, Manufacturing is responsible for evaluating supplier manufacturing operations to determine whether they are stable, scalable, and capable of reliably supporting current and future production requirements. This is a unique opportunity to help establish and shape NFI's Supplier Excellence & Readiness Assessment program through the evaluation of supplier manufacturing operations, production systems, and execution readiness across NFI's global supply base. This role focuses on how suppliers actually execute on the shop floor, assessing production systems, scheduling practices, operational controls, capacity management, and overall manufacturing effectiveness. You will help identify operational risks and improvement opportunities before they impact supplier performance, delivery commitments, or future growth.
WHY JOIN US:

- Be part of a team leading the world’s electrification of mass mobility

- Competitive Wages and comprehensive benefit package with Immediate benefit eligibility

- Paid holidays and vacation

- Registered pension plan with generous company match

- Passionate about creating a better product, a better workplace, and a better world

- Inclusive workplace culture that values and empowers team members.

- On-the-job training in a continuous learning environment (we invested $15.9 million in 2024)

- Advancement opportunities within our family of companies

- We are proudly named one of Manitoba’s Top 25 employers.

WHAT YOU WILL DO:

- Conduct on-site supplier assessments focused on manufacturing execution and operational performance

- Evaluate production planning, scheduling, level loading, and capacity utilization processes

- Assess plant layouts, workflow efficiency, material movement, and work-in-process controls

- Identify bottlenecks, production constraints, throughput limitations, and operational risks

- Review operational KPIs, visual management systems, and daily management practices

- Evaluate manufacturing process discipline, standard work adherence, and workforce training effectiveness

- Assess scalability of supplier operations during growth, demand fluctuations, and new product introduction

- Evaluate equipment readiness, maintenance practices, tooling availability, and reliance on overtime

- Identify systemic risks impacting quality, delivery, cost, and production stability

- Provide evidence-based recommendations to improve manufacturing performance and operational readiness.

- Support corrective action development and validation activities

- Contribute to overall supplier readiness evaluations and risk assessments

Requirements
WHAT YOU NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL:

- 10+ years of experience in manufacturing, operations leadership, industrial engineering, production planning, or operational excellence

- Strong knowledge of manufacturing systems, production scheduling, capacity planning, and factory operations

- Experience evaluating high-mix, low-volume manufacturing environments

- Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement expertise

- Understanding of material flow, work-in-process (WIP) management, operational KPIs, and constraint management

- Experience supporting operational turnarounds, supplier recovery efforts, or manufacturing trans