Supplier Quality Engineer - Technical Specialist

DESCRIPTION

We are looking for a talented Supplier Quality Engineer - Technical Specialist to join our Plant Quality Team in Cwmbran, Wales.

In this role, you will leverage your technical expertise across casting, forging, machining, and metallurgical processes to drive supplier excellence, optimise manufacturing processes, and ensure the highest quality standards across our supply base.

This role will require 10- 25% of domestic and international travel.

In this role, you will make an impact in the following ways:

• Drive supplier excellence: Support development of technically complex components that meet engineering and customer requirements.
• Strengthen strategic relationships: Collaborate with suppliers, internal teams, and customers to improve quality and business outcomes.
• Guide supplier selection and strategy: Provide technical input for cross-functional sourcing decisions for complex components.
• Optimise manufacturing processes: Consult with suppliers to achieve Right First-Time results and ensure process capability and manufacturability.
• Champion APQP and Quality 4.0 tools: Apply industry-standard and company-specific methodologies to ensure zero-defect product launches.
• Lead continuous improvement: Use Lean and Six Sigma to drive supplier process enhancements that reduce defects and improve efficiency.
• Conduct supplier audits: Perform high-impact audits for risk mitigation, readiness assessment, and performance improvement.
• Resolve complex quality issues: Lead root cause analysis, corrective action development, and verification to deliver sustainable solutions.
• Supplier development Commodity Expertise: Evaluate, qualify, and support suppliers in casting, forging, machining, and metallurgical processes, preferably with core expertise in at least one area.
• Technical mentorship: Guide suppliers on best practices, process optimisation, and defect prevention.
• Performance monitoring: Track supplier metrics, identify gaps, and implement continuous improvement initiatives.

• Strong ability to influence and engage stakeholders to drive balanced, quality-focused decisions.
• Expertise in industry standards (ISO 9001, IATF 16949, NADCAP) and customer-specific quality requirements.
• Experience in supplier performance improvement and risk mitigation for complex components.
• Proven ability to lead audits, root cause analysis, and corrective actions in a manufacturing environment.

• College or university degree in Engineering, Metallurgy, Materials Science, or related technical discipline.
• Commodity or technical certifications are an advantage.
• Preferably significant experience in automotive manufacturing or a similarly regulated industry.