Supplier Quality Engineer in Great Yarmouth

To ensure externally provided products, processes and services conform to customer, regulatory and company requirements. The Supplier Quality Engineer is responsible for supplier approval, supplier performance management, supplier corrective actions, supplier auditing and the reduction of supply chain quality risks. The role supports compliance with AS9100, customer flow-down requirements, applicable military standards and internal Business System Manuals (BSMs), whilst driving continuous improvement throughout the supply chain.

Key Responsibilities

• Supplier Approval & Qualification
  • Support supplier selection and approval activities.
  • Conduct supplier evaluations and capability assessments.
  • Maintain the Approved Supplier List (ASL).
  • Verify supplier certifications and approvals remain current.
  • Assess supplier risks and implement appropriate controls.
• Supplier Performance Management
  • Monitor supplier quality and responsiveness metrics.
  • Analyse supplier performance trends and KPI data.
  • Lead regular supplier performance reviews.
  • Escalate significant supplier performance concerns through the business.
• Supplier Non-Conformance Management
  • Raise and manage Supplier NCRs.
  • Lead containment activities for supplier-generated defects.
  • Support the supplier’s root cause analysis by guiding them to use recognised methodologies (8D, 5 Why, Ishikawa, etc.).
  • Verify effectiveness of corrective actions.
  • Coordinate disposition activities for supplier-related non-conformances.
• Supplier Corrective Action Requests (SRN & SAN)
  • Issue Supplier Corrective Action Requests.
  • Track supplier responses and completion dates.
  • Verify implementation and effectiveness of corrective actions.
  • Escalate overdue or ineffective actions.
• Supplier Auditing
  • Plan and conduct supplier audits based on Risk and Performance.
  • Support surveillance and requalification audits.
  • Produce audit reports and track corrective actions.
  • Assess compliance against: AS9100, Customer requirements, Applicable regulatory requirements.
• Incoming Quality Support
  • Supervise Goods In Inspection activities.
  • Support Goods In Inspection with technical quality issues.
  • Review Certificates of Conformance, FAIRs and inspection data.
  • Investigate incoming quality concerns.
  • Provide technical guidance for acceptance, rejection and concession activities.
• Continuous Improvement
  • Drive continuous improvement initiatives across the supply chain.
  • Support CAPA investigations.
  • Participate in internal audits and management reviews.
  • Identify opportunities to improve supplier quality processes.

Key Performance Indicators

• Supplier PPM (Parts Per Million)
• Supplier NCR rate
• SCAR closure performance
• Repeat defect rate
• Supplier audit completion rate
• Supplier audit finding closure rate
• Cost of Poor Supplier Quality (COPSQ)

Education & Experience

Essential

• HNC/HND or Degree in Engineering, Manufacturing or Quality discipline or significant experience.
• Experience within aerospace, defence, electronics or precision manufacturing.
• Working knowledge of AS9100 requirements.
• Experience managing NCR and CAPA processes.
• Internal auditor qualification or equivalent auditing experience.
• Root cause analysis experience.

Desirable

• AS9100 Lead Auditor qualification.
• CQI or Chartered Quality Institute membership.
• Six Sigma Green Belt or equivalent.
• Experience with MIL-STD-883, MIL-PRF-38534 or defence programmes.
• Experience using Q-Pulse or equivalent QMS software.

Competencies

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Effective communication and influencing skills.
• Ability to challenge suppliers professionally.
• High attention to detail.
• Risk-based thinking.
• Strong organisational and project management skills.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings and technical specifications.
• Customer-focused approach.

Location: Great Yarmouth, UK
Type: Full time