Supplier Quality Assurance Engineer

Forge Talent Group; Newton Aycliffe; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Forge Talent Group is seeking a Supplier Quality Engineer to join a client’s permanent team in the UK automotive sector, ensuring purchased materials and services meet quality requirements and driving supplier improvement across the supply chain.

You will conduct supplier audits, APQP/PPAP, root cause analysis and continuous improvement, with travel to supplier sites; a degree/HNC/HND and 3+ years in supplier quality are essential.

Qualifications

• Degree or HNC/HND in Engineering, Manufacturing or Quality Management.
• Minimum 3 years' experience in Supplier Quality within the automotive industry.
• Strong knowledge of IATF 16949 requirements and related quality tools (APQP, PPAP, FMEA, Process Flows, Control Plans).
• Experience with supplier audits and root cause analysis.
• Willingness to travel to supplier sites.

Responsibilities

• Supplier Development & Approval: evaluate and approve new suppliers through audits and capability assessments; support procurement in supplier selection; assess supplier capability and processes; ensure compliance with IATF 16949, ISO 9001 and customer-specific requirements.
• New Product Introduction (NPI): support APQP activities; support PPAP submissions and approvals; support prototype, pre-production and safe launch activities.
• Supplier Performance Management: monitor supplier quality KPIs and delivery performance; develop supplier scorecards; drive improvement plans; support escalation and risk management.
• Quality Problem Resolution: support root cause analysis using 8D, 5 Why; verify effectiveness of corrective actions; conduct supplier visits; manage cost recovery with supplier quality concerns.
• Supplier Auditing: plan and conduct process, product and system audits; perform supplier surveillance and compliance audits; track audit findings to closure.

Skills

Communication

Analytical skills

Negotiation

Project management

Attention to detail

Customer focus

Willing to travel

MS Office proficiency

Quality management systems

Education

Degree or HNC/HND in Engineering, Manufacturing or Quality Management

Job description

We are currently looking to recruit a Supplier Quality Engineer to join our client's team on a permanent basis.

Job Purpose

To ensure that all purchased materials, components and services supplied to the business meet customer, regulatory and company quality requirements. The Supplier Quality Assurance Engineer is responsible for developing, monitoring and improving supplier performance, supporting new product launches, managing supplier quality issues and driving continuous improvement throughout the supply chain. This role is critical to achieving zero defects, customer satisfaction and supply chain reliability. The role typically includes supplier audits, APQP, PPAP, problem solving and IATF 16949 compliance activities.

Key Responsibilities

Supplier Development & Approval

• Evaluate and approve new suppliers through audits and capability assessments.
• Support Procurement in supplier selection and sourcing decisions.
• Assess supplier manufacturing capability, quality systems and process controls.
• Ensure suppliers comply with IATF 16949, ISO 9001 and customer-specific requirements.

Managing approved supplier list

New Product Introduction (NPI)

• Support supplier APQP activities.
• Support PPAP submissions and approvals.
• Support prototype, pre-production and safe launch activities.

Supplier Performance Management

• Monitor supplier quality KPIs and delivery performance.
• Develop supplier scorecards and performance reviews.
• Drive supplier improvement plans and corrective actions.
• Support supplier escalation and risk management activities.

Quality Problem Resolution

• Support root cause analysis using 8D, 5 Why.
• Verify effectiveness of corrective and preventive actions.
• Conduct supplier visits to investigate recurring issues.
• Manage cost recovery associated with supplier quality concerns where applicable.

Supplier Auditing

• Plan and conduct process, product and system audits.
• Perform supplier surveillance and compliance audits.
• Ensure compliance with customer-specific requirements and regulatory standards.
• Track audit findings through to closure.

Qualifications & Experience

Essential

• Degree or HNC/HND in Engineering, Manufacturing or Quality Management.
• Minimum 3 years' experience in Supplier Quality within the automotive industry.
• Working knowledge of IATF 16949 requirements.
• Experience with APQP, PPAP, FMEA, Process Flows, and Control Plans.
• Strong root cause analysis and problem-solving skills.
• Experience conducting supplier audits.

Desirable

• Lead Auditor qualification.
• Knowledge of VDA 6.3 auditing.
• Experience with OEM customer-specific requirements (VW Formel Q, Stellantis, JLR, Ford, etc.).

Skills & Competencies

• Strong communication and relationship-building skills
• Analytical and data-driven approach
• Negotiation and influencing ability
• Project management capability
• Attention to detail
• Customer-focused mindset
• Ability to work independently and travel to supplier sites
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and quality management systems