Supply Chain Quality Specialist

Overview

Balmoral Comtec, part of Freudenberg Flow Technologies, provides surface and subsurface buoyancy, insulation and elastomer products and services to the global energy, defence, subsea communications and oceanographic industries. We are recruiting for a Supply Chain Quality Specialist in Aberdeen.

Role and Reporting

Reporting to the Supply Chain Manager, the Supply Chain Quality Specialist plays a key role within the integrated Supply Chain Management team. The primary responsibility is to support, monitor, and continually improve the quality and performance of suppliers on Balmoral’s Approved Vendor List (AVL), ensuring alignment with company standards, regulatory requirements, and project demands. The role involves performing risk-based assessments, conducting supplier audits, supporting onboarding activities, and driving supplier quality performance improvements. The successful candidate will collaborate with internal stakeholders such as Procurement, Engineering, QHSE, and Project Management, and will engage externally with suppliers, third-party auditors, and clients. A proactive approach to continuous improvement, strong analytical skills, and effective communication are essential in this role.

General Duties & Responsibilities

• Champion Balmoral Group’s core values and promote a culture of quality and “Right First Time.”
• Contribute to the development and delivery of Supply Chain objectives and quality KPIs.
• Ensure compliance with Balmoral’s integrated management systems, procedures, and digital tools.
• Actively identify and support improvement initiatives in supply chain processes, documentation, and systems.
• Collaborate across departments to enhance supplier-related quality processes.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

• Maintain and improve the Approved Vendor List (AVL) through ongoing evaluation, review, and categorization of suppliers based on risk, criticality, and performance.
• Manage the supplier qualification and onboarding process, including issuing and analysing Vendor Assessment Questionnaires (VAQs).
• Conduct supplier audits (remote and on-site) based on risk profiles, project requirements, and compliance obligations.
• Investigate Supply Chain Non-Conformances (NCRs), identify root causes using established methodologies (e.g., 5 Whys, 8D, Ishikawa), and ensure effective corrective actions are implemented and verified.
• Monitor and track supplier performance data; develop and maintain supplier scorecards; communicate trends and areas for improvement to stakeholders.
• Support the development and execution of risk-based audit plans for existing and prospective suppliers.
• Ensure audit findings are clearly documented, communicated, and addressed through corrective action plans.
• Act as a liaison between suppliers and internal teams to resolve quality issues and ensure timely resolution.
• Provide training and mentoring to internal stakeholders on supplier quality procedures and best practices.
• Support external audits (client, regulatory, third-party) by preparing documentation and participating as required.
• Generate monthly and ad-hoc reports on supplier onboarding, performance metrics, audit outcomes, risk status, and improvement initiatives.
• Support cross-functional teams in identifying and qualifying new suppliers based on project requirements, technical capabilities, and quality performance.
• Ensure consistent capture, classification, and analysis of product and service-related supplier quality issues.
• Maintain accurate and comprehensive supplier records and documentation.

Qualifications & Training

Required:

• Certified ISO 9001 Lead Auditor.

Desirable:

• HNC/HND or Degree in an Engineering, Quality, or Supply Chain discipline
• CIPS qualification (or working toward)
• NEBOSH qualification would be an advantage

Lean Six Sigma certification (Green Belt or higher) or working toward.

Experience

Required:

• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and engineering drawings
• Experience conducting supplier audits and participating in external/internal audits
• Hands-on use of root cause analysis tools (e.g., 8D, Ishikawa, 5 Whys)
• Knowledge of international quality standards (e.g., ISO 9000 series, API Q1, NEBOSH)
• Track record of implementing supplier performance improvement initiatives
• Collaboration with multidisciplinary teams in quality, engineering, and procurement functions
• Must be willing and able to travel to supplier sites, both in the UK and overseas, occasionally at short notice
• Applicants must hold a current passport and a full UK driving licence.

Desirable:

• Previous experience in a quality role within a manufacturing or engineering organisation
• Strong values, integrity, resilience, and the ability to manage challenging targets
• Experience developing and executing risk-based audit programmes
• Involvement in incident investigations and non-conformance resolution

Skills

Required:

• High level of proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• Experience with databases and ERP systems for supplier management and reporting
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills – verbal and written
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively across functions
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail
• Presentation and report-writing skills

Desirable:

• Familiarity with lean manufacturing and continuous improvement tools
• Comfortable presenting to senior leadership and clients
• Experience mentoring or coaching junior team members
• Lead and manage incident investigations.

This role profile outlines the primary duties and responsibilities of the position. The jobholder may be required to undertake additional tasks within their capability as necessary to meet business needs.

Please note that Balmoral is unable to support employment visa sponsorship at this time.