Senior Supplier Quality Engineer
West Yorkshire
Full-time 37.5 hours per week
Travel: Max. 30 UK / 30 International

Overview:
We are working with a leading engineering and manufacturing organisation within the defence sector, who are looking to appoint a Senior Supplier Quality Engineer to support their growing project portfolio.

This is a highly collaborative role, working across multiple projects and engaging closely with suppliers to ensure quality, compliance and delivery performance are achieved.

You will play a key role within integrated project teams (IPTs), helping to drive supplier performance and ensure products and processes meet both customer and regulatory requirements.

Key Responsibilities:

• Work closely with suppliers to ensure compliance with manufacturing, quality and regulatory requirements
• Conduct supplier visits and audits to assess performance, capability and risk
• Monitor and verify supplier adherence to processes, product requirements and quality standards
• Support approval of supplier methods, processes, equipment and product release activities
• Drive supplier quality performance across:
  • APQP / PPAP
  • PFMEA & Control Plans
  • Process & Measurement Capability (MSA)
• Lead supplier non-conformance processes including:
  • Containment
  • Root Cause Analysis (RCA)
  • Corrective & Preventative Actions
• Develop and track supplier KPIs, driving improvements where required
• Collaborate with internal teams across engineering, manufacturing and quality
• Support continuous improvement initiatives across the supply chain
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with suppliers

Key Requirements:

• Experience working within a manufacturing or engineering environment
• Strong background in supplier quality, quality engineering or quality assurance

Knowledge of:

• ISO 9001 (essential)
• APQP / PPAP (desirable)
• Experience with root cause analysis tools (8D, 5 Why, A3 etc.)
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and GD&T
• Understanding of manufacturing processes, such as:
  • Machining
  • Assembly
  • NDT / heat treatment / welding (desirable)
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Confident communicator with the ability to influence stakeholders

Desirable Experience:

• Auditor certification (ISO 9001 or equivalent)
• Experience working with complex components or high-tolerance manufacturing
• Familiarity with defence, aerospace or similarly regulated industries
• Experience using ERP systems (e.g. SAP)

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Acting as a key link between suppliers and internal teams
• Supporting delivery across multiple engineering projects
• Driving quality improvements within the supply chain
• Contributing to a collaborative, high-performance project environment

What We’re Looking For:
We’re looking for someone who is:

• Proactive and hands-on
• Comfortable working across teams and functions
• Confident dealing with suppliers and resolving issues
• Able to take ownership and drive outcomes

Additional Information:

• Candidates must have the right to work in the UK
• The role may be subject to security clearance and export control restrictions