Supplier Quality Engineer

Infinity Employment are seeking a Supplier Quality Engineer to work on behalf of our Industry leading client, specialising in providing engineering solutions to various sectors. The Supplier Quality Engineer is responsible for ensuring suppliers consistently meet quality, technical, and delivery requirements, while driving continuous improvement across the supply base. The role acts as the quality interface between the business and its suppliers, ensuring effective supplier selection, approval, performance monitoring, issue resolution, and development.

We are looking for someone who is proactive, data-driven, and comfortable working directly with suppliers to prevent issues.

This contract will be based in Stafford for 6 Months + Rolling (3 year Project).

Pay – £27.50 - £32.50 LTD.

• Supplier Approval & Qualification
  • Support supplier selection, approval, and onboarding activities.
  • Assess supplier capability through audits, questionnaires, and technical reviews.
  • Confirm suppliers can meet technical, quality, capacity, and compliance requirements.
  • Maintain approved supplier lists and qualification records.
• Supplier Performance Management
  • Monitor supplier quality and delivery performance using KPIs and data analysis.
  • Identify trends, recurring issues, and risk indicators within the supply base.
  • Lead performance reviews with key suppliers.
  • Support sourcing and procurement teams with quality input.
• Supplier Audits & Assessments
  • Plan and conduct supplier audits (desktop and on‑site).
  • Assess compliance against applicable standards, specifications, and customer requirements.
  • Raise audit findings and agree corrective actions with suppliers.
  • Verify effectiveness of corrective actions and close‑out activities.
• Nonconformance & Corrective Action
  • Lead supplier nonconformance investigations using structured problem‑solving methods.
  • Review root cause analysis and corrective action plans.
  • Ensure corrective actions address systemic issues, not just symptoms.
  • Escalate high‑risk or repeat issues where necessary.
• Engineering & Technical Support
  • Review supplier processes, control plans, and inspection methods.
  • Support first‑article inspection (FAI), PPAP, or equivalent approval activities.
  • Liaise with internal engineering, quality, and operations teams to resolve supplier issues.
  • Ensure technical and quality requirements are clearly flowed down to suppliers.
• Risk Management & Change Control
  • Identify and manage supplier‑related risks (capacity, capability, quality, continuity).
  • Support supplier change control activities (process changes, material changes, location changes).
  • Assess impact of supplier changes before approval.
  • Ensure appropriate validation and re‑approval where required.
• Continuous Improvement & Supplier Development
  • Work with suppliers to drive quality, efficiency, and robustness improvements.
  • Support development of key or strategic suppliers.
  • Share best practices and improvement opportunities.
  • Contribute to supply chain resilience and long‑term capability growth.
• Authority & Accountability
  • Authority to raise supplier quality concerns and stop acceptance where justified.
  • Authority to require corrective actions and evidence from suppliers.
  • Accountable for supplier quality performance within assigned supply base.
  • Responsible for maintaining accurate and auditable supplier quality records.

• Essential
  • Proven experience as a Supplier Quality Engineer or Supplier Quality Specialist.
  • Strong understanding of manufacturing and engineering processes.
  • Experience working with suppliers in a regulated or quality‑driven environment.
  • Ability to conduct audits and supplier assessments.
  • Strong problem‑solving and root cause analysis skills.
  • Confident communicator with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Desirable
  • Experience with in aerospace, automotive, precision engineering, or technical services.
  • Familiarity with ISO-based management systems (e.g. ISO 9001, AS9100).
  • Experience with PPAP, FAI, or equivalent approval processes.
  • Knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement tools.
  • Experience using ERP or supplier management systems.

• Proactive and prevention focused.
• Comfortable challenging suppliers constructively.
• Data‑driven and detail‑oriented.
• Pragmatic, fair, and commercially aware.
• Strong sense of ownership and accountability.