Support New Product Introduction (NPI) programs by working with suppliers and cross-functional teams to ensure material readiness, quality, and manufacturability. Support early-stage material procurement activities, including supplier engagement, technical readiness assessments, and execution of prototype and development builds. Communicate technical requirements, specifications, drawings, quality expectations, and inspection requirements to suppliers. Review and disposition non-conforming materials through Variance Requests (VRs), utilizing technical judgment and risk-based decision making. Review First Article Inspection Reports (FAIRs), inspection methods, measurement systems, fixtures, and tooling to ensure compliance with requirements. Understand manufacturing processes for mechanical, electrical, or electromechanical components and identify process risks, failure modes, and opportunities for improvement. Investigate supplier quality and manufacturing issues, perform root cause analysis, and drive Supplier Corrective Action Requests (SCARs) to effective closure. Understand and apply material traceability requirements, including the ability to trace supplier lots through incoming inspection, inventory transactions, production kitting, and finished product records. Support supplier qualification, process validation, and production readiness activities. Partner with suppliers to improve process capability, quality, manufacturability, and inspection effectiveness. Collaborate with Design Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality Engineering, Operations, and Supply Chain to resolve technical issues and support product launches. Develop commodity expertise in mechanical, electrical, or electromechanical components, assemblies, and manufacturing processes. Communicate technical issues, risks, and recommendations effectively to suppliers and internal stakeholders.