Supplier Quality Engineer in Southampton

As a Supplier Quality Engineer, you will be responsible for assuring the quality of products and services supplied by external suppliers, ensuring full compliance with organisational, customer, and regulatory requirements. You will drive supplier quality performance through effective quality management processes, audits, supplier development activities, and cross-functional collaboration. This is a pivotal role in protecting the integrity of the supply chain and ensuring that end products consistently meet the high standards expected by customers and stakeholders, particularly within a regulated defence environment. The role requires significant travel across the UK (approximately 60%). While it reports to the Operational Quality Manager based at the Portsmouth site, the position could also be suited to an individual located in the North of the UK to better support travel requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Supplier Quality Management
  • Develop, implement, and maintain supplier quality management systems and processes.
  • Establish and communicate supplier quality standards, specifications, and quality plans.
  • Ensure supplier compliance with contractual, regulatory, and organisational requirements.
• Supplier Evaluation and Selection
  • Evaluate and support the selection of suppliers based on quality, cost, delivery, and service performance.
  • Conduct supplier capability assessments and approval activities.
  • Manage material quality for Stainless Steel, Aluminium, and Carbon Steel supply chains.
• Audits & Inspections
  • Plan and conduct supplier audits and manufacturing process assessments.
  • Perform product and process inspections including dimensional, trial, final, and FAIR inspections.
  • Identify, document, and manage non-conformances, driving effective corrective and preventive actions.
• Supplier Development
  • Work in partnership with suppliers to improve quality performance and capability.
  • Provide technical guidance, quality support, and training where required.
  • Support continuous improvement initiatives across the supply base.
• Quality Metrics & Reporting
  • Monitor, analyse, and report supplier quality performance (e.g. defect rates, on-time delivery).
  • Prepare quality performance reports for internal stakeholders and senior management.
  • Use data-driven insight to identify trends and improvement opportunities.
• Collaboration & Communication
  • Work closely with Procurement, Engineering, Production, and Operations teams.
  • Clearly communicate quality expectations, requirements, and feedback to suppliers.
  • Act as the quality escalation point for supplier-related issues.
• Continuous Improvement
  • Identify opportunities to improve supplier quality processes, systems, and performance.
  • Stay current with industry best practice, standards, and regulatory developments.

Education & Qualifications

• Degree in Engineering, Quality Management, or a related discipline or equivalent apprenticeship qualification - CSWIP 3.0 / 3.1 / 3.2 to BS EN ISO 17637

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Substantial experience in Supplier Quality Engineering or a closely related role
• Proven experience working within the defence sector
• Strong understanding of defence regulatory requirements, including: DEFSTAN, DEFCON, QASOR
• Technical Skills & Knowledge
  • Quality Management Systems: ISO 9001, AS9100, AS9102
  • Supplier auditing, assessments, and corrective action management
  • Visual welding inspection, NDT, VT PCN Level 1 and/or AWS certification
  • Creation and interpretation of ITPs, MITPs, QCPs
  • Experience with Stainless Steel, Aluminium, and Carbon Steel fabrications
  • Ability to read and interpret 3D models, DWF, STEP files, and PDFs
  • Proficiency in quality tools and systems (e.g. Minitab, SAP QM)
  • Familiarity with ERP and MRP systems
• Certifications (Desirable)
  • AS9100 / ISO 9001 Lead Auditor
  • Six Sigma or other recognised quality improvement certifications

Skills and Attributes

• High attention to detail and accuracy
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capability
• Confident, clear communicator with strong interpersonal and influencing skills
• Assertive, resilient, and adaptable to change
• Highly organised with the ability to manage multiple priorities
• Collaborative team player who actively contributes and coaches others when required
• Commercially aware with an understanding of how quality performance impacts production and customer fulfilment
• Committed to health, safety, environmental compliance, and continuous improvement
• Welcomes and promotes diversity and inclusion

Travel Requirements

• UK-based role with regular supplier visits
• Approximately 60% travel / 40% office based

Other Requirements

• Candidates must have an existing right to live and work in the UK
• Candidates must have passed UK security clearance to the Security Check level or be able to obtain this level. To gain SC clearance will normally require a candidate to have been resident in the UK for a minimum of 5 years.

Benefits

Along with competitive salaries, CMS2 offers a great benefits package that includes life insurance, a generous leave allowance and more.