Supplier Quality Engineer | Defence & Advanced Manufacturing

- Kidderminster, Worcestershire (on-site role)

- £45,000 - £52,000 + bonus + excellent bens.

A leading European defence engineering organisation is seeking a Supplier Quality Engineer to play a key role in ensuring the performance, capability, and compliance of its global supply base.

Operating within a highly regulated, safety-critical environment, this role offers the opportunity to work on complex, high-reliability products while collaborating with cross-functional teams across procurement, operations, and quality.

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Supply Chain Quality Manager, you'll be responsible for monitoring and improving supplier performance, supporting supplier development activities, and ensuring all externally sourced products meet rigorous quality and regulatory requirements.

You'll be at the centre of supplier engagement - driving corrective actions, leading audits, supporting first article inspections, and working closely with internal stakeholders to resolve technical and quality issues.

Key Responsibilities

* Drive supplier corrective actions (8D) through to effective closure

* Support First Article Inspection (FAI) in line with EN9102 requirements

* Conduct supplier audits (process, product and system) and manage follow-up actions

* Lead supplier performance monitoring and reporting, including PPM reduction initiatives

* Support Material Review Boards and manage supplier-related non-conformances

* Develop and maintain product control plans and supplier documentation

* Collaborate across engineering, procurement, and operations to resolve supplier technical issues

* Lead cross-functional improvement projects to reduce defects and strengthen supplier capability

About You

You'll be a proactive, technically capable quality professional with experience in manufacturing or engineering environments and a passion for continuous improvement.

Essential:

* Degree (or equivalent) in engineering or a related technical discipline

* Experience in supplier quality, manufacturing quality, or aerospace/defence environments

* Strong knowledge of root cause analysis tools (8D, 5 Whys, etc.)

* Ability to interpret engineering drawings and GD&T

* Experience with inspection methods and measurement equipment

* Internal and external audit experience

Desirable:

* AS/EN9100 quality system experience

* Knowledge of APQP, PPAP, or Six Sigma methodologies

* Lead Auditor qualification or equivalent

* Familiarity with defence or aerospace regulatory frameworks

Why Apply?

This is a chance to join a well-established international engineering organisation delivering advanced products for critical defence applications. You'll work in a technically challenging environment with strong investment in quality, safety, and continuous improvement.