Supplier Development Engineer

We are looking for an experienced Supplier Development Engineer to join a global manufacturing company based in Stafford. Initially a 12-months contract with strong potential to extend, you will be ensuring Supplier Quality, driving Continuous Improvement, and supporting New Product Introductions. This person will be on site 5 days per week, unless visiting a supplier’s site – no hybrid working. Most suppliers are in the UK, with the rest being in Europe.

Requirements

• Solid background as a Supplier Quality Engineer / Supplier Development Engineer
• This person will need experience of dealing with suppliers, PPAP and APQP processes with a manufacturing background in Castings, Precision Machining, Fabrication, Fasteners & Fixings.
• Plus experience in the development of Supplier metrics and problem resolution between supplier and engineering personnel.
• And experience in using Supplier Issue Investigation tools such as Root Cause Analysis, PFMEA, 5 WHYS, FISHBONE/6M

Responsibilities

• Ensuring the quality of supplies by conducting tests and assessments on incoming supplies to identify any quality issues.
• Generating reports on supplier quality.
• Researching the potential vendors – assessing their manufacturing environment, practices, and procedures.
• Conducting supplier quality control audits.
• Supporting suppliers in improving their performance.
• APQP & PPAP.
• Proactive work with suppliers up to APQP & PPAP submission point.
• Using quality product planning tools, checking suppliers at each gateway.
• Work onsite with suppliers confirming live data of quality of products and that they have the correct number of parts.
• Confirming the systems are in the PPAP and cross referencing the PPAP.
• Confirming the output of the process and checking over the measurement criteria.
• Collaborating with suppliers and internally on new part introduction including APQP conformance
• Ensures the development, analysis, and documentation of cost information supporting new product development, design and cost improvement, maintenance, make versus buy, and other special projects
• Obtaining quotations and implementing engineering changes on existing part numbers
• Working closely with the Purchasing and other Engineers in terms of managing supplier activity
• Mediates trade off discussions early in the design process to balance performance, quality, velocity, and cost with focus on optimizing value
• Leads cross functional teams to meet multiple cost opportunity objectives