Supplier Quality Engineer

RMS excited to be recruiting for a Supplier Quality Engineer to join our long-standing client based in Peterlee.
You will be responsible for driving continuous improvement within the supplier base through the development of quality systems and process optimisation.

This is a permanent position and will be working Monday to Thursday (8:30AM – 4:30PM) and Friday (8:30AM – 3:30PM).

Main Duties and Responsibilities will include:

• Responsible for the overall quality performance of all direct suppliers as specified by SQA Section Leader.
• Responsible for managing supplier quality concerns including initial containment, 8D reporting, root cause investigation and close-out of corrective actions.
• Responsible for developing annual improvement programmes with nominated suppliers and driving activity through APS principles to deliver the desired performance.
• Responsible for conducting audits within the supplier base to satisfy IATF16949, VDA 6.3 & customer specific requirements.
• Responsible for leading immediate containment & improvement activity at the supplier’s site in the event of major a quality concern.
• Responsible for the assurance of supplier new product introduction, supplier APQP process, safe launch and verifying the cascade of internal and customer-specific requirements into the supplier quality system.
• Work flexibly with the Quality Engineering, Parts Quality, Supply Development, and other plant teams to deliver effective solutions demonstrating a high level of competence & integrity. Also support any meetings, activities or initiatives with the client’s regional teams.
• Regular domestic and international travel.
• Manage supplier quality concerns from the confirmation of NG parts through containment to investigation, formal reporting and resolution ensuring robust countermeasures are implemented.
• Effective and timely closeout of supplier concerns including verification of countermeasure actions at the supplier’s site.
• Liaise with suppliers to generate quality improvement plans using concern reports, monthly performance data, audit results and supplier ranking information as inputs to identify areas of concern.
• Conduct supplier audits to satisfy IATF16949, VDA 6.3 and customer specific requirements. Support customer audits when required.
• Plan, implement and oversee assurance activities to support supplier APQP activities and new product introduction including the management of the supplier PPAP approval process.
• Managing supplier concern reports and vendor rating system through electronic workflow and document management system.
• Liaise with Supply Development and other internal teams to achieve optimum ‘design for manufacture’.
• Utilise ‘best practice’ approach and APS principles to continually improve current systems, standards and procedures.   

As an ideal candidate, you should have/be:

• Educated to HND level in an Engineering discipline (will consider HNC level if combined with relevant experience).
• Certified Auditor - IATF16949 / Certified Auditor - VDA 6.3.
• Quality Assurance qualification (i.e. IQA, City & Guilds, TQM, CQI).
• APQP Core Tools trained.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings.
• Understanding of manufacturing processes & tolerances (knowledge of forging / machining processes is preferred).
• IT skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint etc).
• People management skills (organising teams, team leadership, chairing meetings).
• Good interpersonal / communication / presentation skills - both written & verbal.
• Quality improvement tools & techniques (Six Sigma, APS etc).
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in a Quality engineering role (preferably within Supplier Quality Assurance).
• Previous experience in an Automotive manufacturing environment.

If you are interested in this opportunity, please apply directly.

RMS is an equal opportunities employer, if you have not been contacted within 7 days following your application, please accept this as you have not been successful on this occasion.