Senior Supplier Quality Engineer

Senior Supplier Quality Engineer

Lisburn, Northern Ireland  

12-month contract (Inside IR35)

(May involve travel to suppliers)

Description 

The Lead Supplier Quality Engineer (SQE) is responsible for ensuring the supply base manufactures robust products that meet quality standards required to minimize quality costs and maximize customer satisfaction while ensuring that procedures and processes are adhered to. The successful candidate will work in a team environment with Suppliers, SQE, Sourcing, Production Quality, and Engineering to develop and implement best practices that emphasize defect prevention, reduction in variation and waste, and provide for continuous improvements in meeting all customer requirements. This includes analysing supplier defect/performance data for the sites, identifying data trends across parts, suppliers, and translating analytical data/metrics into defect resolution/risk mitigation actions. The SQE will also investigate, evaluate, and resolve supplier quality problems, conduct audits, part qualifications, and participate in or lead continuous improvement projects.

Essential Functions/Responsibilities

– Manage all Supplier Quality activities at multiple sites to drive supplier qualification, process control, continuous improvement, and issue resolution activities.

– Establish a structured approach to identify and improve quality assurance gaps as related to Quality processes and procedures.

– Drive continuous improvement activities at Suppliers to include product quality, cycle, and delivery performance through use of standard metrics, Six Sigma, Lean Six Sigma, and SPC methodology.

– Drive COQ and DPMO reduction activities for the supply base and establish processes to ensure best practices and top suppliers are leveraged across the entire team.

– Drive all SQE-related activities within the new product introduction (NPI) process to understand design intent and technical requirements and to ensure SQE NPI deliverables on Supplier and Part qualification are accurate and delivered on time.

– Drive supplier and sub-supplier performance to include identifying and driving supplier process improvements, root cause analysis, and corrective action/preventive action.

– Establish a program to identify, monitor, and improve supplier process capabilities for identified CTQs/CTPs to include conducting regular design and drawing reviews with engineering teams.

– Provide technical guidance to suppliers to ensure product and process compliance with drawings and specifications.

– Drive supplier process change control for the supply base to ensure no defects escape to the company or its customers using 8D methodology.

– Work closely with internal stakeholders such as Sourcing, Quality, Manufacturing, and Engineering, as well as with external stakeholders, to eliminate roadblocks and communication barriers that may affect quality and delivery requirements.

– Assume a leadership role within the site team when it comes to improving overall supplier quality and driving initiatives to internal and external stakeholders.

– Establish and drive Supplier qualification and surveillance strategy for suppliers based on buy volume, defect history, single/sole source suppliers, and NPI programs, and ensure the strategy is directly aligned with business priorities and needs.

– Establish and drive key Supplier Quality initiatives across the supply base to include Supplier KPIs and initiatives such as Cost of Failure & Supplier Recovery, FPY, RTY, DPPM, GB/BB projects, and RCA/CA/8D activities.

– Establish and drive Supplier quality review rigor across the supply base to include active participation from Engineering, Manufacturing, Sourcing, and Quality teams.

– Establish and maintain a critical item list for products based on input from Engineering.

– Support sourcing quality initiatives at sites as needed.

– Support productivity initiatives including cost savings projects based on input from Sourcing and Engineering stakeholders.

– Ensure quality consistency and reduce variation in processes through First Piece Qualification, pilot lot approvals (when required), and ongoing serial production and Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) and verification of supplier documentation.

– Develop and lead critical supplier quality updates to senior leadership on all supplier metrics, RCA, and NPI programs.

– Coordinate initiation and resolution of Supplier Deviation Requests (SDRs), material substitutions, and quality control reviews on non-conformances at supplier facilities.

Qualifications/Requirements

– BA/BS Technical or Business Degree or Equivalent Experience.

– Fluent in English.

– Strong background in interpretation of Engineering drawings/specifications, metrology, and manufacturing process planning/evaluation.

– Extensive background in applicable quality and lean tools/techniques to include: pFMEA, DFM, MPP, QCP, RCA/Apollo/8D, PPAP, PFD, Gage R&R, VSM, SPC, Poke Yoke, and Kaizen.

– Proficiency with ERP systems.

– Commodity experience related to the following: aluminium castings, machining, harnesses, sheet metal, PCBA, electronic components.

– Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Excel spreadsheet development and analysis, PowerPoint for presentations, etc.).

– Certified Auditor.

– Minimum 5+ years Sourcing, Quality, Engineering, or Manufacturing experience.

Desired Characteristics

– Working knowledge and regular usage of data analysis tools with hands-on experience with data analysis tools such as Minitab.

– Experience related to Protection and Control product line.

– Six Sigma GB or BB trained and certified.

– In-depth knowledge of internal auditing and/or ISO 9001:2000 standard.

– Extensive background in applicable engineering processes/techniques to include: Tooling, NDT, FVT/ICT Testing, Brazing, and Soldering.

– Minimum 5+ year’s leadership experience.

– Demonstrated technical aptitude and passion for quality.

– Lean mind set and agile approach.

– Strong verbal and written communication skills.

– Analytical and problem-solving skills.

– Ability to work in a cross-functional team environment.

– Highly motivated and able to manage multiple projects at once.

– Results-driven and self-directed.

– Ability to influence others.

– Ability to keep business leaders and peers informed about strategies/plans that will affect them.

– Proficiency with Minitab or similar software package.

– Ability to travel 20-30% (local and international).