Supplier Quality Engineer

Polytec Personnel Ltd; Cambridgeshire and Peterborough; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is on the lookout for a dynamic Supplier Quality Engineer to join their innovative team. This role is pivotal in driving quality improvements and fostering a culture of continuous enhancement across the supply chain. You will work closely with suppliers and internal teams, utilizing Lean and Six Sigma methodologies to reduce defects and enhance processes. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in engineering, excellent problem-solving skills, and the ability to build effective supplier partnerships. If you are passionate about quality and improvement, this position offers a fantastic opportunity to make a significant impact.

Qualifications

• 3+ years in Supplier Quality Engineering with a focus on improvement.
• Degree in Manufacturing, Process, or Quality Engineering required.

Responsibilities

• Perform root cause analysis and implement corrective actions.
• Collaborate across departments to enhance supplier processes.

Skills

Lean tools

Six Sigma

Root cause analysis

Problem-solving

Supplier partnership building

Education

Degree in Manufacturing Engineering

Degree in Process Engineering

Degree in Quality Engineering

Tools

Poka-Yoke

PFMEA

CNC machining

Job description

Location:

Ely (CB6)

Duration:

Permanent

Hours:

Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Salary:

Competitive

Job Reference:

35692

Overview:

We're seeking a driven and collaborative Supplier Quality Engineer to join a global leader in photonics. This role involves working closely with suppliers and internal teams to drive quality improvements, reduce waste, and foster a culture of continuous improvement across the supply chain. The position requires on-site visits, process audits, and practical problem-solving at the source.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Visit key suppliers to perform root cause analysis and implement corrective actions to reduce defects and improve quality.
2. Collaborate across departments to support supplier development initiatives that reduce waste, prevent errors, and decrease variation.
3. Utilize tools like Lean, Six Sigma, Poka-Yoke, and PFMEA to enhance supplier processes and performance.
4. Analyze supplier quality data with internal teams to identify and implement improvements.
5. Coach underperforming suppliers through corrective action planning and execution.
6. Partner with Engineering to align supplier capabilities with product requirements (PPAP).
7. Create and maintain supplier action plans with measurable KPIs for quality, cost, and delivery.
8. Support the development and execution of supplier audit programs to ensure compliance and ongoing improvement.
9. Contribute to broader quality initiatives and enhance the overall quality management system.

Requirements:

• Degree in Manufacturing, Process, or Quality Engineering (or equivalent).
• 3+ years in a similar Supplier Quality Engineering role.
• Working knowledge of Lean tools and principles; confident in coaching suppliers in Lean practices.
• Familiarity with PPAP, FMEA, and ideally APQP.
• Ability to interpret complex engineering drawings, ideally to micron-level tolerances.
• Experience in a low-volume, high-mix manufacturing environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build supplier partnerships.
• Proven track record of driving improvement projects in multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong multitasking, time management, and problem-solving skills.
• A positive, proactive mindset aligned with continuous improvement values.

Desirable Skills:

• ISO 13485 Internal Audit qualification.
• Experience with CNC machining or Fanuc programming.
• High-spec technical drawing interpretation.

Please contact us as soon as possible for more details or apply below!

Create a job alert and receive personalized job recommendations straight to your inbox.