Supplier Quality Engineer

Cramlington | Permanent | Competitive Salary + Excellent Benefits

An established and growing advanced manufacturing organisation is seeking a Supplier Quality Engineer to support and develop supplier quality performance across a highly regulated microelectronics supply chain serving aerospace, defence and medical sectors.

This is an excellent opportunity for a quality professional with experience in supplier management, continuous improvement and high-reliability manufacturing environments to join a business investing heavily in its people, products and manufacturing capabilities.

The Role

Working closely with Engineering, Procurement, Manufacturing and Quality teams, the successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring suppliers consistently meet demanding quality, reliability, compliance and delivery requirements.

The role will focus on supplier development, quality assurance, non-conformance management and continuous improvement across a complex supply chain supporting advanced electronic assemblies and components.

Key Responsibilities

Supplier Quality Management

• Act as the primary quality interface between the business and external suppliers.
• Manage and develop supplier quality relationships.
• Monitor supplier performance using key quality and delivery metrics.
• Drive supplier improvement initiatives and measurable performance enhancements.
• Conduct supplier audits, assessments and process reviews to ensure compliance with customer and regulatory requirements.

Quality Assurance & Compliance

• Support supplier approval, qualification and ongoing surveillance activities.
• Ensure supplier compliance with relevant quality standards, customer requirements and internal procedures.
• Review quality documentation including inspection reports, certificates of conformity, material certifications and test data.
• Support compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements.
• Ensure supplier processes maintain traceability, product integrity and configuration control.

Non-Conformance & Corrective Action

• Lead supplier-related non-conformance investigations.
• Drive root cause analysis and corrective action activities.
• Verify effectiveness of corrective and preventive actions.
• Manage supplier concessions, deviations and containment activities.
• Support investigations relating to customer complaints and supplier-related quality concerns.

New Product Introduction (NPI) Support

• Support supplier involvement in new product introduction and manufacturing activities.
• Assess supplier manufacturing capability, process controls and inspection methods.
• Participate in technical reviews, design reviews and risk assessments.
• Provide quality input into sourcing decisions and manufacturability reviews.

Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities to improve supplier performance, reduce variation and improve yield.
• Promote a proactive quality culture throughout the supply chain.
• Support the implementation and use of quality improvement tools and methodologies.

Candidate Requirements

Applications are welcomed from candidates who possess:

• Experience in a Supplier Quality Engineer, Quality Engineer or similar position within a high-reliability manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of supplier quality management and corrective action processes.
• Experience conducting supplier audits and process assessments.
• Knowledge of electronic components, microelectronics, semiconductor packaging, PCB assembly or related technologies.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications and technical documentation.
• Experience working with quality management systems.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and investigation skills.
• Experience using ERP systems, ideally SAP.
• A proven track record of delivering supplier quality improvements through a continuous improvement approach.

Desirable Experience

• Aerospace, defence, medical, space or other regulated manufacturing sectors.
• AS9100 and customer-specific quality requirements.
• IPC standards, assembly processes, inspection techniques and reliability testing.
• Electronic component supply chains and obsolescence management.
• Lead Auditor qualification or equivalent.

What's on Offer?

• Competitive salary
• Enhanced pension contributions
• Healthcare cashback plan
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Performance-related incentive scheme
• Financial wellbeing support
• Retail and lifestyle discounts
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Discounted RAC membership
• Discounted gym membership
• 5 weeks annual leave plus bank holidays
• Ongoing training and career progression opportunities
• Supportive and collaborative working environment
• Opportunity to progress into senior leadership positions

Additional Information

This is a site-based role within a modern manufacturing facility producing advanced electronic components and microelectronic assemblies in cleanroom environments. Significant investment and future growth plans make this an exciting time to join the business.

Successful applicants will be required to satisfy relevant pre-employment screening and security requirements.