Location: Ely (CB6)
Duration: Permanent
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Salary: Competitive
Job Reference: 36081
We're seeking a driven and collaborative Supplier Quality Engineer to join a global leader in photonics. In this role, you'll work closely with suppliers and internal teams to drive quality improvements, reduce waste, and build a culture of continuous improvement across the supply chain. This is a hands-on position involving on-site visits, process audits, and real-world problem solving at the source.
Key Responsibilities:
* Visit key suppliers to perform root cause analysis and implement corrective actions that reduce defects and improve quality
* Collaborate across departments to support supplier development initiatives that cut waste, prevent errors, and reduce variation
* Use tools like Lean, Six Sigma, Poka-Yoke, and PFMEA to enhance supplier processes and performance
* Analyse supplier quality data with internal teams to identify and drive improvements
* Coach underperforming suppliers through practical corrective action planning and execution
* Partner with Engineering to align supplier capabilities with product requirements (PPAP)
* Create and maintain supplier action plans with measurable KPIs for quality, cost, and delivery
* Support development and execution of supplier audit programmes to ensure ongoing compliance and improvement
* Contribute to broader quality initiatives and help enhance the overall quality management system
Requirements:
* Degree in Manufacturing, Process, or Quality Engineering (or equivalent)
* 3+ years in a similar Supplier Quality Engineering role
* Working knowledge of Lean tools and principles%3B confident in coaching suppliers in Lean practices
* Familiarity with PPAP, FMEA, and ideally APQP
* Able to interpret complex engineering drawings, ideally to micron-level tolerances
* Experience in a low-volume, high-mix manufacturing environment
* Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build supplier partnerships
* Proven track record of driving improvement projects in multidisciplinary teams
* Strong multitasking, time management, and problem-solving abilities
* A positive, proactive mindset aligned with continuous improvement values
Desirable Skills
* ISO 13485 Internal Audit qualification
* Experience with CNC machining or Fanuc programming
* High-spec technical drawing interpretation
Please contact us as soon as possible for more details or apply below
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