HR Employment Bureau are looking for an experienced Lead Supplier Quality Engineer to manage and develop a team of Lead Supplier Quality Engineers responsible for supplier containment, controlled shipping, and supplier recovery activities across a portfolio of underperforming suppliers. This is working with one of our prestigious clients based in the Woking area.
Hours of work 07:00 – 16:30 Monday - Friday
£33.00 per hour = £264.00 per day
£36.00 per hour = £288.00 per day (ONLY DOE)
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.
Qualities we are looking for
* Strong leader with a hands-on approach.
* Results-focused with high levels of ownership and accountability.
* Decisive and confident managing supplier escalations.
* Strong analytical and problem-solving capability.
* Effective communicator capable of influencing suppliers and stakeholders at all levels.
If you are interested in this job role please apply online
Salary description
£33.00 - £36.00 per hour