Supplier Quality Assurance Team Lead

CHASE; England; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive base salary

Bonus and benefits package

Job summary

CHASE in Gloucestershire is seeking a Supplier Quality Assurance Team Lead for orthopaedics. The role leads a team of supplier quality professionals, drives supplier quality improvement, and partners with strategic suppliers to prevent defects and ensure CAPA actions are effective.

You will oversee supplier audits, root cause analysis, and QMS compliance (ISO 13485), while collaborating with QA and production to safeguard supply continuity and product quality across the business.

Qualifications

• Degree in Engineering or Science with significant Quality Engineering experience in manufacturing.
• Experience conducting supplier audits and leading supplier improvement activities.
• Strong understanding of quality management systems and QA principles.
• Experience in root cause analysis, problem solving and CAPA management.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Supplier Quality Assurance team with day-to-day direction and performance management.
• Partner with suppliers to implement best practices focused on defect prevention and process improvement.
• Utilise supplier performance metrics to support risk-based decisions on incoming inspection.

Skills

Leadership

Quality engineering

Supplier audits

Root cause analysis

Continuous improvement

Stakeholder management

Education

Engineering/Science degree

Job description

Supplier Quality Assurance Team Lead - Orthopaedics - Gloucestershire

Our client is a leading medical technology company focused on providing innovative orthopaedic solutions, specializing in Hip, Knee, ligament implants, surgical robots, and 3D planning tools. They are dedicated to improving the quality of life for patients by advancing orthopaedic care.

As Supplier Quality Assurance Team Lead, you will be responsible for leading a team of Supplier Quality professionals while driving supplier quality improvement initiatives across the business. You will work closely with strategic suppliers to promote best practices, minimise defects, and ensure effective corrective and preventive actions are implemented.

Key tasks include:

• Lead and develop the Supplier Quality Assurance team, providing day-to-day direction, coaching, and performance management.
• Partner with suppliers to develop and implement best practices focused on defect prevention and process improvement.
• Use supplier performance metrics and inspection data to support risk-based decisions regarding incoming inspection requirements.
• Drive supplier quality improvement programmes, focusing on suppliers presenting the highest quality or supply risks.
• Ensure supplier non-conformances are investigated and progressed effectively through the Quality Management System (QMS).
• Review supplier root cause analyses and corrective actions to ensure issues are fully addressed and recurrence risk is minimised.
• Collaborate closely with Quality Control teams to identify recurring supplier-related issues and trends and elevate supplier quality concerns that could impact production continuity or product availability.
• Lead supplier quality review meetings and provide updates to senior management.
• Establish and monitor supplier improvement plans where performance falls below required standards.
• Plan and conduct supplier audits aligned to supplier risk and performance profiles.
• Support supplier selection, qualification, approval, and change management activities.
• Support New Product Introduction (NPI) activities by ensuring supplier capability and quality controls are established prior to production.
• Maintain compliance with ISO 13485 requirements and applicable regulatory standards.

About you

• Degree in Engineering, Science, with significant Quality Engineering experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Previous Supplier Quality Engineering and supplier development experience.
• Proven experience conducting supplier audits and leading supplier improvement activities.
• Strong understanding of quality management systems and quality assurance principles.
• Demonstrated expertise in root cause analysis, problem solving, and corrective action management.
• Experience using supplier performance data to drive continuous improvement.
• Ability to prioritise and manage multiple suppliers, projects, and quality issues simultaneously.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with confidence engaging senior supplier representatives.
• Experience within the Medical Device industry
• Working knowledge of ISO 13485 and medical device regulatory requirements.
• Previous people management or team leadership experience.

A Highly Competitive Basic, Bonus and Benefits package will be paid.