Quality Engineer in Stoke-on-Trent

Visum Recruitment are delighted to be representing our client, a leading supplier of hydraulic and fluid transfer solutions, who are seeking an ambitious and technically driven Quality Engineer to join them on a full-time, permanent basis.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a well-established business with a strong reputation for engineering excellence.

The role has been created as part of a structured succession plan, providing a clear pathway to progress into the Quality Manager position within 18 months through a comprehensive mentoring and development programme.

The successful candidate will play a key role in supplier quality management, technical drawing approval, customer quality support, and product validation whilst working within an ISO 9001 environment.

You will collaborate with international manufacturing partners and support quality across a diverse range of hydraulic components, including adaptors, manifolds, hose assemblies and precision fittings.

• Quality Engineer Overview
• 1. Supplier Quality Management

We work closely with joint venture manufacturing partners in South Korea, China and India.

This requires a collaborative and culturally aware approach that balances technical standards with long‑term supplier relationship development.

You will

• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships (UK and international)
• Support and progressively lead supplier onboarding and qualification
• Conduct and lead supplier audits and technical reviews
• Manage non‑conformance investigations and corrective action processes
• Lead cross‑functional teams using 8D methodology to resolve customer or internal nonconformances
• Develop the technical proficiency of QA technicians in core applications
• Monitor supplier performance metrics and risk indicators
• Support regulatory and customer compliance reporting including REACH, Ro HS, Conflict Minerals, CBAM, PFAS and TSCA A solid understanding of CNC and multi‑spindle machining, material behaviour, tolerances and production capability will be essential when evaluating supplier performance.
• A solid understanding of CNC and multi‑spindle machining, material behaviour, tolerances and production capability will be essential when evaluating supplier performance.
• 2. Production Drawing & Technical Specification Approval

This role carries significant responsibility for ensuring that customer requirements are accurately translated into production‑ready documentation.

You will

• Review and progressively approve supplier production drawings
• Validate tolerances, fits, surface finishes and critical characteristics
• Assess material specifications and metallurgical certifications
• Evaluate sealing interfaces and O‑ring groove design considerations
• Collaborate with suppliers to mitigate design‑for‑manufacture risks
• Support new part introduction and qualification processes Experience interpreting technical drawings is essential.

CAD familiarity (e. g.

Solid Works or Auto CAD) is advantageous.

3. Customer Quality Interface & Technical Support

Developing the capability to represent the quality function directly with OEM customers is a key objective of this role.

You will

• Liaise directly with customer quality and engineering teams
• Investigate complaints and field failures using structured problem‑solving
• Lead corrective and preventive action coordination through the QA team
• Assist in the preparation and review of 8D reports and supporting technical documentation
• Support and later lead customer audits and performance reviews
• Contribute to product documentation and certification packs Technical credibility — particularly in machining, hydraulics and sealing performance — will be essential when engaging with customer engineering teams.

Job Requirements

• Experience in supplier quality, production engineering or drawing validation
• Strong understanding of machining processes (CNC and multi‑spindle preferred)
• Ability to interpret and validate technical drawings
• Working knowledge of metallurgy and material behaviour
• Experience working within ISO 9001 environments
• Full knowledge and interpretation of PPAP 4th Edition (Production Part Approval Process), including the ability to critique submissions and, where required, provide guidance or training to suppliers in their completion and execution
• Structured problem‑solving capability (8D, RCA, FMEA)
• Strong communication skills with suppliers and customers

Desirable Qualities

• Knowledge of hydraulic systems and sealing technology (O‑rings)
• Knowledge of electrolytic coatings and corrosion protection
• Exposure to international supplier audits
• Understanding of welding techniques and material implications
• Familiarity with ISO 14001 / ISO 45001
• Lean or Six Sigma training
• 5S training Personal Attributes
• Analytical and technically rigorous
• Commercially aware and relationship‑focused
• Calm, confident communicator
• Strong technical aptitude and a commitment to mastering the complex engineering and operational processes that drive our business
• Self‑driven with clear leadership ambition
• Willing to travel internationally

Succession Commitment

This role forms part of a defined succession strategy. The successful candidate will follow a staged progression route: Quality Engineer → Senior Quality Engineer → Quality Manager

The current Quality Manager will provide structured mentorship and a phased transfer of responsibility over 18 months.

Progression milestones will be formally reviewed to ensure alignment with both business needs and individual capability development.

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