Supplier Quality Engineer in Chelmsford

We are a dynamic and growing precision machining company specializing in high-tolerance components for the aerospace and defence sectors.

Our reputation is built on engineering excellence, precision, and the ability to meet rigorous industry standards.

As we continue to expand, we are seeking a motivated Supplier Quality Engineer to strengthen our supplier controls.

Position Summary

The Supplier Quality Engineer is a newly created role and is responsible for strengthening supplier controls, improving supplier performance and ensuring externally provided products and processes consistently meet drawing, specification, customer, statutory, regulatory and EN AS 9100 requirements.

This is a hands-on role involving direct engagement with suppliers, investigation of technical quality issues and the effective closure of corrective actions.

Key Responsibilities

• Evaluate, qualify and approve new suppliers in accordance with company and EN AS 9100 requirements.
• Plan and conduct supplier audits, including initial approval, risk-based surveillance and performance-related audits.
• Monitor supplier quality performance using scorecards, KPIs, non-conformance trends and risk assessments.
• Drive investigations into supplier non-conformances, escapes and recurring quality issues.
• Raise and manage Supplier Corrective Action Requests, including review of root cause, containment and corrective action.
• Verify the effectiveness of supplier corrective actions and improvement plans.
• Work with suppliers to improve process capability, product conformity and delivery performance.
• Review supplier documentation, including process approvals, inspection reports, material certification and quality records.
• Ensure applicable drawing, specification, contractual, statutory and regulatory requirements are correctly flowed down to suppliers and sub-tier suppliers.
• Support First Article Inspection activities and review AS9102 documentation where applicable.
• Support the control of outsourced special processes such as heat treatment, surface treatment, painting, testing and non-destructive testing.
• Work closely with Purchasing, Engineering, Production and Inspection to resolve supplier-related issues.
• Support material review and concession activities involving externally supplied products.
• Maintain supplier quality records and contribute to Approved Supplier List decisions.
• Identify supplier-related risks and support improvement and cost-of-poor-quality reduction activities.
• Support customer, certification-body and internal audits when supplier controls are within scope.

Required Experience and Qualifications

• Previous experience in supplier quality, quality engineering or manufacturing quality.
• Experience within CNC machining, precision engineering, aerospace, defence or another highly regulated manufacturing environment.
• Working knowledge of EN AS 9100 or ISO 9001 quality management systems.
• Good understanding of engineering drawings, tolerances, GD&T and manufacturing specifications.
• Experience conducting supplier or process audits.
• Practical knowledge of root cause analysis and corrective action methods, such as 5 Whys, Ishikawa and 8D.
• Experience managing non-conforming product and supplier corrective actions.
• Ability to interpret inspection reports, material certification and supplier quality documentation.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to challenge suppliers constructively and drive actions to completion.
• Willingness to travel to supplier sites when required.

Preferred Experience and Qualifications

• Qualified Lead Auditor with membership or certification through a recognised quality organisation.
• Knowledge of AS9102 First Article Inspection.
• Understanding of special-process controls and accreditation requirements.
• Experience with APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, control plans or process-capability techniques.
• Familiarity with CMM inspection and precision measurement.
• Knowledge of aerospace product safety, counterfeit-part prevention and configuration control.

What We Offer

• Flexible start/finish times and finish at lunchtime on a Friday
• Opportunity to participate in the bonus scheme linked to company profits and performance targets
• Opportunities for development and supportive team environment
• Company Sick Pay
• Pension: 5% Employer, 5% Employee (Defined Contribution)
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Free parking
• Security Checks

Please note, you may be required to undergo Security Checks appropriate to your role.

Equal Opportunity Statement

We welcome people from all backgrounds and are committed to creating an inclusive recruitment process.

If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please contact careers@currock. com and we will be happy to support you.

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