At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape product design and supplier processes for award-winning shower products.
- Company: Join Kohler Mira, a leader in innovative shower technology.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonuses, private healthcare, and a generous pension scheme.
- Other info: Empower your career growth in a diverse and inclusive workplace.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on quality and innovation in a collaborative environment.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in supplier quality or manufacturing engineering, with strong influencing skills.
Hybrid - with at least 3 days out of 5 per week onsite in Cheltenham. Salary to be discussed on application + company bonus, private health care and generous pension scheme.
Designing award-winning products for our market-leading brands – Mira Showers, Rada and Recoup - is our lifeblood. We focus on investment; investing in the best technology and resources available and investing in each and every individual. Whether you arrive at our facilities in Cheltenham, Worcester or Hull, have a visit from a Service Engineer or pick up the phone to our Customer Service team, you’ll instantly see that, no matter our department or location, we all share the same cultural values at Kohler Mira.
From day one you’re part of the Kohler Mira community – a collaborative, forward focused team with a shared pride in our work and commitment to delight our customers, develop innovative products and services and inspire our people.
We are seeking an experienced Senior Staff Supplier Quality Engineer to play a strategic role in shaping both product design and supplier manufacturing processes for Mira’s showering products.
This is a senior individual contributor position focused on owning quality outcomes across multiple programmes and key suppliers, operating with a high degree of independence. You will actively influence design decisions (materials, tolerances, interfaces) and work closely with a focused set of critical suppliers to ensure manufacturing processes and controls are robust, scalable, and aligned to design intent.
Alongside delivery, you will act as a coach and mentor to other associates, helping to strengthen capability in both product quality and supplier management, while influencing decisions across engineering, supply chain, and suppliers.
This role is well suited to someone who:
- Manages competing priorities with consistency and sound judgement
- Takes ownership for practical, high-quality outcomes
- Influences effectively across functions
- Is committed to developing others and improving team capability
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Design Influence (DfX Leadership) - Act as a key design partner within NPD, actively shaping product architecture, materials selection, tolerancing, and interfaces to ensure designs are optimised for quality and manufacturability.
- Critical Supplier Partnership & Development - Build deep, strategic relationships with a focused set of critical suppliers, developing their capability in manufacturing processes, quality systems, and technical problem solving. Identify and cultivate new suppliers early in projects when new solutions are required.
- Integrated NPI Delivery - Own supplier quality readiness across multiple programmes, ensuring alignment between product design and manufacturing capability from concept through to production.
- Advanced Quality Planning Excellence - Drive effective application of APQP disciplines, ensuring PFMEAs, control plans, and validation activities are technically robust and add real value. Maintains a leading edge understanding of tools and processes while teaching internal and supplier associates as appropriate.
- Technical Leadership in Problem Solving - Lead resolution of complex or high-impact issues, ensuring structured root cause analysis and sustainable corrective actions.
- Risk Identification & Early Intervention - Proactively identify risks in product design and supplier processes, addressing them early to avoid downstream impact. Use creativity and structured problem solving to identify novel solutions that balance the business and the customer.
- Organisational Influence & Mentoring - Provide informal leadership across the organisation, influencing stakeholders and coaching other associates to raise overall capability.
- Continuous Improvement & Capability Building - Lead initiatives to improve supplier performance, internal processes, and quality practices across the organisation.
Skills/Requirements
- Significant experience (10 years plus) in supplier quality, product quality, or manufacturing engineering, ideally within mechanical or electromechanical products.
- A degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, or a related discipline, or equivalent knowledge and expertise gained through significant relevant experience.
- Proven track record of influencing product design to improve quality and manufacturability.
- Experience working with strategic suppliers, developing long-term capability and performance.
- Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and materials (e.g. plastics, metals, elastomers, electronics).
- Experience supporting new product introduction (NPI) activities.
- Solid grounding in quality methodologies (APQP, PPAP, FMEA, structured problem solving).
Personal Attributes
- Strong technical judgement and ability to balance detail with system-level thinking.
- Ability to influence without authority, including senior stakeholders and suppliers.
- Effective prioritisation and ability to manage a high volume of work independently.
- Clear communication and ability to simplify complex topics.
- Proactive and outcome-focused, with resilience a solutions bias.
- Commitment to coaching and developing others.
We can offer you a lot in return! We empower each associate to #BecomeMoreAtKohler with a competitive total rewards package to support your health and wellbeing, access to career growth and development opportunities, a diverse and inclusive workplace, and a strong culture of innovation. With a genuine commitment to creating better tomorrows, we’re driving meaningful change in our mission to help people live gracious, healthy, and sustainable lives.
About Us
In the UK, Kohler Mira Ltd. is made up of three market leading brands: Mira Showers, Rada Controls, and Recoup. Where our brands differ in market position, they are equal in their commitment to design, innovation, and providing a single level of quality regardless of price. Kohler Mira is committed to diversity and inclusion to drive our business results and create a better future every day for our diverse associates, consumers, partners, and global communities. As an equal opportunities employer, it is Kohler Mira’s policy to recruit, hire, and promote qualified people in all job classifications without prejudice.
Senior Supplier Quality Staff Engineer in Cheltenham employer: KOHLER
KOHLER in St Andrews is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that prioritises employee satisfaction and growth. As a Luxury Hotel Front Desk Receptionist, you will enjoy competitive benefits, opportunities for professional development, and the chance to be part of a team that values excellence in customer service while working in a picturesque location known for its rich history and stunning landscapes.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Supplier Quality Staff Engineer in Cheltenham
✨Join Local Manufacturing Groups
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We think you need these skills to ace Senior Supplier Quality Staff Engineer in Cheltenham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Skills:In the manufacturing-production sector, it's crucial to highlight your technical skills and experience. Make sure your CV features any relevant qualifications, such as certifications in machinery operation or production management, and don’t forget about any specific systems or software you’re familiar with. This can really set you apart!
Emphasise Teamwork and Communication:Working in manufacturing often means being part of a larger team. Highlight your experience in collaborative projects or environments where communication was key. Maybe you have experience with lean manufacturing principles? Talk about how you worked with your team to improve productivity and maintain quality.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Company:Don’t just recycle an old cover letter! Take the time to tailor your cover letter to KOHLER specifically. Mention what excites you about their production processes or products, and how your previous experiences can contribute to their goals. We want to see your enthusiasm for the role!
Use Concrete Examples of Your Achievements:When detailing your work experience, include measurable achievements that can demonstrate your impact. Whether it’s improving efficiency by a certain percentage or successfully leading a project, these specifics can make a huge difference. Numbers speak volumes in the manufacturing world!
How to prepare for a job interview at KOHLER
✨Know Your Manufacturing Processes
Before you walk into the interview with KOHLER, brush up on the specific manufacturing processes relevant to the role. Understanding lean manufacturing principles or quality control techniques could give you a solid edge to discuss how you’d fit into their operations.
✨Technical Questions Are Key
Be prepared for technical questions around machinery, production scheduling, or materials handling. Make sure you can confidently explain how you've dealt with these in past experiences or internships. Knowing industry-specific software could also be a big plus!
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Manufacturing environments often focus on continuous improvement. Be ready to discuss specific instances where you’ve solved a production issue or implemented a process improvement. It’s all about demonstrating your analytical thinking and hands-on approach.
✨Align Your Values with Quality and Safety
In a full-time role, companies like KOHLER value commitment to quality and safety. Be prepared to discuss how you prioritise these factors in your work. It’s about showing that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely care about contributing positively to their production environment.
