Vendor Quality Engineer
Home-based with regular European travel
30 p/h

We are recruiting for our client, a leading UK-based organisation within the manufacturing sector, for an experienced Supplier Quality Engineer. This role is ideal for someone who thrives on working closely with suppliers to drive tangible quality improvements, resolve issues at the source, and ensure defect-free performance across an international supply base.

This is a hands-on role requiring frequent travel to suppliers across mainland Europe as well as remote working from the UK.

About the role
You will be responsible for the selection, development, and management of suppliers to achieve consistent, high-quality output. The role places strong emphasis on practical, on-site supplier quality management rather than purely theoretical or support-level exposure.

Key responsibilities

• Participate in supplier evaluation, selection, and strategic sourcing processes.
• Lead the supplier corrective action process, including containment, root cause analysis, and corrective actions.
• Conduct and lead supplier audits, ensuring the effective use of quality tools.
• Collaborate with suppliers to ensure all product requirements are met and maintained.
• Review supplier quality readiness for new product introductions and ongoing production, reducing supplier-related issues and improving process capability.
• Ensure timely and compliant project launches by verifying all requirements for new or modified products are met.
• Measure and monitor supplier performance against agreed KPIs, driving improvement to meet targets.
• Facilitate continuous improvement initiatives to reduce defects and improve supplier processes.

What we're looking for

• Proven, practical experience in Supplier Quality Engineering within a manufacturing or distribution environment (not limited to automotive).
• Strong knowledge and application of PPAP (Production Part Approval Process) - from start to finish, not just contributing to elements.
• Hands-on experience with APQP and Supplier Quality Core Tools.
• Solid supplier management background with experience leading external supplier audits.
• IATF knowledge is essential - IATF 16949 certified auditor status highly desirable.
• Experience with AIAG methodologies.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, able to influence at all levels.
• Ability and willingness to travel extensively within Europe.

The ideal candidate
This role is not suited to those whose exposure to supplier quality tools has been limited to awareness or partial involvement. We're looking for someone who has led audits, owned PPAPs end-to-end, and driven supplier performance improvement directly at source.

If you are an experienced Supplier Quality Engineer who can combine technical expertise with on-the-ground supplier engagement, we'd love to hear from you.

New Appointments Group, Expertly Matching Employers and Jobseekers since 1975.

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