Senior Supplier Quality Engineer

Senior Supplier Quality Engineer
Location: Crewe – 3-days per week onsite
Contract: Outside IR35

Contract Until: 31 December 2026, with a further six-month extension planned
Working Hours: 37 hours per week
Travel: Occasional European travel

Role Summary

The Senior Supplier Quality Engineer will be responsible for supplier quality planning, part maturation and approval activities for bought-in components. The position will monitor supplier performance, lead supplier improvement initiatives and resolve complex quality issues affecting pre-series and series production.

The role will work closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Purchasing, Logistics, Quality and external suppliers to ensure parts achieve the required product quality standards. Experience of completing supplier PPAPs is essential, alongside strong APQP, supplier management, procurement and product quality planning experience.

Role & Responsibilities

As the Senior Supplier Quality Engineer, your responsibilities will include:

Delivering part quality planning activities in line with project gateways, including lessons learnt, part risk assessments and quality planning tools.
Managing supplier PPAP activity and ensuring the required documentation and evidence are completed.
Conducting part maturation, approval and capacity analysis activities.
Working with suppliers and internal functions to progress parts through the required approval processes.
Monitoring supplier performance measures and identifying risks against product quality targets.
Driving supplier improvement initiatives and supporting supplier nomination activities.
Managing supplier-related quality problems, including containment, root-cause analysis and corrective action.
Applying recognised quality and problem-solving techniques to complex supplier and component issues.
Supporting the achievement of pre-series, series, audit, aftersales, warranty and PDI quality targets.
Escalating supplier quality risks and driving actions to achieve the required resolution.
Providing technical support on complex supplier quality issues.
Working collaboratively with Engineering, Manufacturing, Purchasing, Logistics, Quality and external suppliers.
Presenting supplier quality information clearly and professionally to senior stakeholders.
Supporting and deputising for the Supplier Quality Manager when required.
Undertaking occasional travel to suppliers within Europe.
Requirements of the Role

The successful Senior Supplier Quality Engineer will require:

Essential:

Practical experience of completing supplier PPAPs.
Strong knowledge and application of APQP.
Supplier quality management experience.
Procurement experience.
Product and part quality planning experience.
Experience monitoring supplier performance and delivering supplier improvement activity.
Experience managing supplier-related quality problems through containment, root-cause analysis and corrective action.
Strong stakeholder management and supplier communication skills.
The ability to influence suppliers and internal stakeholders.
Desirable:

Automotive supplier quality experience gained within an OEM or supplier environment.
Experience across multiple engineering commodities or specialist knowledge within a specific commodity.
Knowledge of statistical process control and process capability.
Experience using advanced problem-solving techniques such as Six Sigma, Design of Experiments, Global 8D, Kepner-Tregoe or DMAIC.
Understanding of Product Emergence Process.
An engineering degree, HNC or HND, supported by extensive relevant experience.
A valid driving licence.
Apply Now

If you have the supplier quality, APQP, PPAP and product quality planning experience required for this Senior Supplier Quality Engineer opportunity, apply now with an up-to-date CV.

Please note, this role is deemed outside of IR35 - you will be operating as a Limited company Contractor