Supplier Quality Engineer in South Molton

The South Molton plant is based in Devon, UK and has over 400 employees. The plant commenced production in 1973 and in 1975 an investment casting foundry opened on the site. The Foundry is the only one of its kind across Eaton’s Aerospace plants. Today the plant’s core focus is the design, manufacture and test of components primarily for the aerospace sector. The site’s main customer is the Eaton facility at Titchfield, Hampshire, UK and the external customers to the site include Airbus, Boeing, Embraer and Augusta Westland.

What you’ll do:

This position is responsible for leading the analysis and measurement of supplier performance, defining and assessing the competency level of processes and manufacturing capabilities, and auditing a supplier’s ability to meet required quality customer/industry specifications. Works closely with suppliers on training and development opportunities, includes internal and external suppliers.

Essential Functions:

• Leads on-site supplier audits and assessments in order to ensure compliance to requirements and assess supplier capabilities to perform required tasks.
• Reviews supplier inspection techniques in accordance with specifications.
• Assists in supplier development activities, in conjunction with supplier personnel, to assist in delivery, cost and quality performance improvements.
• Analyzes quality performance level of suppliers and leads problem solving and root cause analysis activities to eliminate recurrence of non-conformances as required.
• Trains and facilitates courses on supplier development and quality systems tools and techniques such as Six Sigma, Lean, 8-D, FEMA, Control Plans, PPAP, etc.
• Leads and facilitates cross-functional teams involving suppliers and Eaton functional disciplines to seek continuous improvement, problem resolution and cost-out initiatives.
• Maintains supplier quality records in accordance with defined procedures, periodically reviewing them for completeness and effectiveness.
• Reviews engineering drawings and specifications with suppliers to ensure mutual understanding of requirements and product performance expectations.
• Coordinates part approval submissions reviewing contents for completeness.
• Ensure that Regulatory, Customer and Business requirements are flowed to suppliers and sub-contractors.
• Develop and deliver training programs (Internal and External).

Qualifications:

• Degree /BTEC / HND in Engineering related discipline – experience may be taken in lieu of qualification.
• Qualified Auditor.

Skills:

• Ability to lead a small team of Quality personnel to drive performance through the APEX process.
• Ability to manage all Team dimensions – H&S, Disciplinary etc.
• Thorough understanding of customer/industry unique part approval requirements.
• Detailed knowledge of industry specific quality registration schemes. i.e., ISO9001, ISO/TS-16949, AS9100 etc.
• Understanding of Supply Chain Management operational concepts, Aerospace Supplier Quality requirements and EQS System.
• Detailed knowledge of process auditing techniques to ensure compliance to defined quality requirements.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and Process Variation Reduction (six Sigma) concepts and tool sets as they relate to materials management, process variability, and root cause and corrective action determination.
• Knowledge of product and end user application/specifications, including product testing requirements. (design/process interface)
• Thorough knowledge of gauging and basic understanding of product material properties.
• Ability to lead cross-functional process improvement teams.

What we offer:

• A company culture committed to Inclusion & Diversity and Sustainability.
• Annual mentoring programme, Eaton University, and a robust reward and recognition framework.
• Ongoing learning and global career development opportunities, including internal mobility.
• Comprehensive induction support and a well‑structured onboarding experience.
• A long term career with lots of career development opportunities.