Supplier Quality Engineer - 1169

Thorlabs; Ely; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Supplier Quality Engineer to enhance supplier performance and ensure quality standards. This role involves collaborating with suppliers to implement Lean principles and continuous improvement practices, driving quality initiatives within the supply chain. You will work closely with cross-functional teams to monitor key supplier quality data and develop corrective action plans. The company offers an engaging environment with opportunities for professional growth and a competitive benefits package, making it an exciting opportunity for those passionate about quality engineering and supplier collaboration.

Benefits

Free onsite parking

Free refreshments

Entertainment area

Customised training and development

Contributed Pension Scheme

Group Life Cover

Private Health Care

Group Income Protection

Qualifications

• Degree qualified in relevant engineering fields with 3+ years of experience.
• Understanding of Lean principles and supplier quality development.

Responsibilities

• Engage with suppliers to reduce waste and improve quality.
• Collaborate with teams to monitor supplier performance and implement improvements.

Skills

Lean principles

Supplier quality development

Problem-solving

Multitasking

Communication

Education

Degree in Manufacturing Engineering

Degree in Process Engineering

Degree in Quality Engineering

Tools

PFEP

FMEA

APQP

CNC machining

Fanuc systems programming

Job description

What is the job?

With support from other Thorlabs departments, engage and collaborate with Thorlabs supply chain to implement best practices that eliminate waste, emphasise defect prevention, reduce component variation, ensure on-time delivery and nurture an environment of continuous improvement.

Working Hours: Monday to Friday 8.00 am - 4.30 pm

Who we are?

Thorlabs is a global, industry leading optical technologies company. We are experts in the design and manufacture of a range of innovative photonics products. We use these products in manufacturing and research, from fibre optics to piezo motors. We are the gold standard with optics laboratories worldwide. There are now 22 facilities across the world in 9 countries. Here in Ely, we are responsible for the Motion Control and Optical Tables product line.

Where you will be working?

Our purpose-built facility is just 12 miles from Cambridge, within the beautiful mediaeval city of Ely. There are train and bus links to Ely from Kings Cross and Liverpool Street London, and our site is within distance of Ely train station and Ely Bus station.

Requirements

What is essential to us...

1. Degree qualified in Manufacturing Engineering, Process Engineering, Quality Engineering or equivalent.
2. Minimum 3 years' experience in an equivalent Supplier Quality Engineering role.
3. Basic to intermediate understanding of Lean principles and their practical implementation within the supply chain, with the ability to coach suppliers to adopt lean principles (including but not limited to SMED, PFEP, EPEI, and pull).
4. Basic to intermediate experience in Supplier quality development and working with suppliers to meet agreed quality standards.
5. Appreciation of Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) & Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA); experience in Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) would be beneficial.
6. Ability to understand and interpret high precision engineering drawings (down to micron level tolerances would be beneficial).
7. Experience in a low volume, high mix manufacturing environment.
8. Substantial ability to create and enhance working relationships with suppliers to partner in their pursuit of zero defects.
9. Experience in working with a multidisciplinary project team to drive improvement projects through to completion.
10. Ability to multitask, time manage and work independently.
11. Ability to identify and resolve problems quickly.
12. Adhering to core values and driven positive attitude.
13. Positive contribution to multi-departmental initiatives and process improvements.
14. Receptive to new challenges and expanding current knowledge.
15. ISO 13845 Internal Audit Qualification (Desirable).
16. CNC machining prototype work (Desirable).
17. Programming Fanuc systems (Desirable).
18. Using technical drawings and working to high specification tolerances (Desirable).

What we would like you to do/ to see...

1. Support strategically selected suppliers by performing on-site supplier visits, going to the Gemba, to undertake root cause analysis and implement corrective action plans to reduce supplier Non-Conformance Reports (NCR's) and improve supplier quality.
2. With support from other Thorlabs departments, engage in supply chain improvements by active and collaborative supplier engagement to eliminate waste and emphasise defect prevention, reduce component variation and nurture an environment of continuous improvement.
3. Develop an understanding and utilise continuous improvement tools such as Lean, Six Sigma, Poka-Yoke (Error Proofing), Measurement System Analysis and Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (PFMEA) to enhance supplier performance.
4. Collaborate with Thorlabs Purchasing, Planning and Quality Engineering teams to monitor and critique key supplier quality data to identify process improvement opportunities within the supply chain.
5. With support from other Thorlabs departments, rehabilitate underperforming suppliers with unresolved or repeat quality issues, going to the Gemba and coaching the supplier to develop true corrective and sustainable actions.
6. Collaborate with Thorlabs Engineering teams (R&D, NPI, Quality, and Manufacturing) to define critical component/process characteristics (PPAP) to ensure supplier process capabilities are matched to requirements.
7. Produce and present concise supplier action plan summaries with internally agreed KPIs to monitor and track impact of supplier quality improvements on cost, quality, and on-time delivery.
8. With support from other Thorlabs departments, develop a supplier audit programme to ensure corrective actions are maintained by periodic verification of supplier correction action plans and to verify that agreed manufacturing standards are adhered to.
9. Participate in internal cross-departmental initiatives to develop a holistic and comprehensive quality management system.

What will you get?

At Thorlabs there are lots of opportunities for in-house customised training and development that accelerates your career progression. We have free onsite parking, free refreshments, as well as an entertainment area in our large canteen for your enjoyment.

And the benefits are?

Competitive Salary to attract the best, plus an excellent benefits package including pension, health care, 25 days holiday plus public holidays.

Job Reference: THOR-VC-1169

This is a rolling campaign, so we will actively interview applicants. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

We welcome applications from persons who are over 18 years old.

*This is a legal requirement, further information is here School leaving age - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

We would encourage all internal applicants to inform their line managers of their interest in this position.

Benefits

- Contributed Pension Scheme

- Group Life Cover

- Private Health Care

- Group Income Protection & more.

Please apply through the Apply for this job button or send a copy of your CV along with a covering letter and your salary expectations to: Human Resources at Thorlabs Ltd, 204 Lancaster Way Business Park, Ely, Cambs, CB6 3NX or e-mail [e-mail].

In line with the requirements of the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006, all applicants must have a valid permission to enter or remain in the UK with no condition that prevents them from working in the UK. Documented evidence of such permission will be required from candidates as part of the recruitment process.