Supplier Quality Engineer

Supplier Quality Engineer

Department: Quality

Employment Type: Permanent

Location: Windlesham

Reporting To: Dan O'Boyle

We are looking for a Supplier Quality Engineer to play a key role in ensuring the quality, capability and readiness of GMA's supplier base. Working closely with nominated suppliers and internal Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain and Production functions, you will ensure supplier quality assurance activities are fully realised and that supplied parts are matured, validated and approved from design concept through to production readiness and final sign-off.

As a key link between GMA and its suppliers, you will manage supplier quality performance, lead problem-solving activities and support new product introduction. Your technical knowledge, analytical approach and ability to build strong relationships will help ensure suppliers consistently deliver parts that meet the exacting quality and specification requirements of GMA vehicles.

You will be responsible for managing supplier quality activities across nominated suppliers, from initial supplier assessment and APQP through to PPAP approval, production readiness and ongoing quality performance. You will conduct audits, manage supplier concerns and drive robust corrective and preventive actions to ensure issues are resolved effectively and do not recur.

This is your chance to:

• Conduct supplier audits in line with the Supplier Audit Plan, including initial supplier nomination audits, ongoing surveillance audits and process and product audits.
• Act as the main quality signatory for newly nominated suppliers, using audit results and supplier capability assessments to support approval decisions.
• Support New Product Introduction (NPI) projects and manage APQP activities with selected suppliers against defined project deliverables.
• Participate in DFMEA and PFMEA activities, ensuring critical and significant characteristics are understood and effectively cascaded to suppliers.
• Agree PPAP requirements with suppliers and review, approve or reject PPAP submissions.
• Ensure supplier measurement and inspection strategies align with Engineering requirements and internal Quality and Goods Inwards inspection standards.
• Confirm Initial Sample Inspection Reports (ISIRs) are completed and submitted for review.
• Manage nominated suppliers to ensure consistent delivery of products that meet defined requirements, specifications and quality standards.
• Lead the management of supplier non-conformances using structured problem-solving tools including 8D, Ishikawa and 5 Why.
• Facilitate supplier containment activities, ensuring robust root cause analysis, effective corrective and preventive actions and final verification prior to concern closure.
• Escalate unresolved supplier quality issues appropriately to the line manager.
• Conduct lessons learned activities with suppliers at the start of each project phase and support relevant internal lessons learned exercises.
• Promote continuous improvement techniques including Lean, Six Sigma, Poka-Yoke, Measurement System Analysis and other quality improvement methodologies.
• Collect, analyse and report supplier quality KPI data to management and the wider business as required.
• Work closely with Engineering and Supply Chain to resolve supplier quality issues and respond to general supplier quality queries.
• Act as a point of contact for lineside supplier quality queries and support the internal triage process for allocating concerns.
• Collaborate closely with internal Quality and Goods Inwards Inspectors to ensure clear, accurate and timely information is shared with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Take the lead on nominated Supplier Quality Engineering projects where required.
• Provide cover for the line manager during periods of absence where required.
• Travel to UK and overseas suppliers as required by the role.

You'll be an experienced Supplier Quality Engineer or quality professional who enjoys working in a technically demanding, fast-paced manufacturing environment where quality, precision and effective supplier relationships are critical.

• Strong knowledge of APQP, PPAP and FMEA, with AIAG Core Tools training or certification being advantageous.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing tools and methodologies, with experience in areas such as 5S, Value Stream Mapping, TPM, OEE, Gemba, Kaizen, PDCA and Six Sigma advantageous.
• Working knowledge of ISO 9001:2015 and IATF 16949:2016.
• Knowledge or experience of ISO 14001:2015 and ISO 45001:2015.
• Knowledge and/or experience of metrology, inspection methods and measuring equipment.
• Strong understanding of engineering drawings and GD&T.
• Knowledge and experience of manufacturing processes used within the automotive industry.
• Able to work effectively in a diverse and dynamic environment, planning and prioritising workload to meet business requirements.
• Strong negotiation and influencing skills, with the confidence to challenge suppliers and internal stakeholders when required.
• Able to compile, analyse and…