Supplier Quality Development Engineer

You will improve and maintain levels of Quality within the company and throughout the supply chain by utilising problem solving tools & techniques and the application of lean methodology.

You will assess existing and potential suppliers and recommend improvements, in order to ensure the supply of quality assured components and assemblies and introduce change within manufacturing by supporting the application of new materials, methods, tooling and suppliers.

The Role:

Investigate and resolve manufacturing related quality problems raised by teams, Problem & Countermeasure sheets, Gateway reporting and QS Audit reporting.

Process 'Problem Investigation Reports' in a timely manner applying robust long-term containment actions. Utilises various problem solving and analysis techniques e.g. 8D, SPC, FMEA, Taguchi, QFD.

Carry out Process Surveillance / Audits in order to determine and resolve Quality concerns. Initiate monitoring and inspection if required through the use of Gateway's and End-of-Line processes.

Manage the rejecting and scrapping of defective materials by alignment with the required levels of Quality, raising appropriate debit paperwork, querying trend data so that actions are established to minimise future cost impact to the business.

Supports ECN processes, ensuring product changes are introduced and recorded (cut-in) according to plan, with seamless transition to the correct quality standards.

Supports NPI projects, ensuring new models are delivered into manufacturing according to plan to the correct quality standards. Developing and maintaining the use of timing plans, advanced quality planning techniques e.g. PPAP and FMEA.

Supports Service & Warranty teams in relation to field failures attributed to poor quality, containing and resolving issues effectively in order to minimise impact with the customer, and assists the Warranty team with vendor recovery where necessary.

Conducts system/process audits at potential and existing suppliers, checking against checklist and rating using audit techniques.

Drives/supports Advance Quality Planning at suppliers by chairing meetings of cross-functional teams, matching quality controls to potential risks. Supports jig & tool design internally and throughout the supply base influencing the optimisation of QCD targets and Health & Safety requirements.

Assists suppliers' continual improvement initiatives (application of lean principles) to ensure that improvements are on-going, by discussion, meetings, etc.

Assesses initial samples for conformance to specification.

Analyses Supplier quality performance measures (Supplier PPM) and presents planned programmes for improvement.

Participates in future supplier quality initiatives (cost analyses, etc.).

Supports Value Engineering (VAVE) and Cost Reduction initiatives by providing technical and quality liaison internally throughout our supplier base with the potential deployment of Lean & Six Sigma methodologies.

Requirements:

Essential:
Intermediate PC user level (i.e. Microsoft Office applications such as Word and Excel).
Suitable leadership experience within a fast paced environment.
Previous experience of quality and problem solving techniques.
Possess good communication skills to effectively communicate at all levels within the organisation and externally.
Possess good analytical skills and have the ability to think creatively.
Be a team player with good interpersonal skills.
Be able to work under pressure and to time constraints, and use own initiative to solve problems.
Be self-motivated and results oriented.
Be able to take responsibility for resolution of issues.

Desirable:
Exposure to a fast paced production department within a large manufacturing organisation.
Degree or equivalent in Manufacturing or Business.
Industrial, Manufacturing or Quality based Engineering related qualification.
Full clean driving license.
Ability to produce and work to timing plans.
Some knowledge of industrial engineering techniques.
Industrial engineering tools and techniques.
Leadership experience gained within a manufacturing environment.
Possess good level of problem solving skills.

Working hours: Monday - Thursday 6:30am to 4:30pm.