Job Description
Key Responsibilities of Lead Supplier Quality Engineer
• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of 4–6 Junior Supplier Quality Engineers.
• Prioritise and allocate supplier quality activities based on business risk and programme requirements.
• Act as the escalation point for critical supplier quality, containment, and recovery issues.
• Oversee deployment and management of CSL1 and CSL2 activities across the supplier base.
• Ensure robust containment plans are implemented to protect manufacturing from quality escapes.
• Review and approve containment exit criteria, corrective actions, and recovery plans.
• Drive suppliers to complete effective root cause analysis and corrective actions using 8D, 5 Why, and structured problem-solving methodologies.
• Monitor supplier performance through PPM, quality escapes, disruption events, corrective action closure, and containment effectiveness.
• Provide regular reporting to senior management on supplier risk, quality performance, and recovery progress.
• Support customer protection activities and rapid response to emerging quality concerns.
• Work closely with Manufacturing, Engineering, Purchasing, Supplier Development, and Programme teams to minimise disruption and improve supplier performance.
• Manage third-party sorting and containment providers where required.
Essential Requirements of Lead Supplier Quality Engineer
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related technical discipline.
• Minimum 7 years'' experience in Supplier Quality, Supplier Development, or Supplier Quality Assurance within automotive or advanced manufacturing.
• Proven experience leading supplier containment and recovery activities, including CSL1 and CSL2.
• Previous experience leading, coaching, or coordinating SQE teams.
• Strong working knowledge of APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, Control Plans, GD&T, 8D, and Root Cause Analysis.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and supplier quality management.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills with native English or minimum C1 proficiency.
• Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, high-pressure manufacturing environment.
Desirable Requirements
• Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt.
• Experience within OEM, motorsport, high-performance automotive, or Tier 1 manufacturing environments
• Experience leading supplier audits and supplier improvement programmes.
• Knowledge of machining, composites, assembly, castings, or complex engineered products.