Rubicon Consulting is currently recruiting for a Supplier Quality Engineer on a 12-month Contract, based in Lisburn, Northern Ireland

This role falls INSIDE IR35

Essential Functions/Responsibilities:

- Manage all Supplier Quality activities at multiple sites in GA Europe to drive supplier qualification, process control, continuous improvement, and issue resolution activities.

- Establish a structured approach to identify and improve quality assurance gaps as related to GA/ GS Quality processes and procedures.

- Drive continuous improvement activities at Suppliers to include product quality, cycle, and delivery performance through use of standard metrics, Six Sigma, Lean Six Sigma, and SPC methodology.

- Drive COQ and DPMO reduction activities for supply base and establish process to ensure best practices and top suppliers are leveraged across entire GA team.

- Drive all SQE-related activities within new product introduction (NPI) process to understand design intent and technical requirements and to ensure SQE NPI deliverables on Supplier and Part qualification are accurate and delivered on time.

- Drive supplier and sub-supplier performance to include identifying and driving supplier process improvements, root cause analysis, and corrective action/ preventive action.

- Establish program to identify, monitor, and improve supplier process capabilities for identified CTQs/CTPs to include conducting regular design and drawing reviews with the client and supplier engineering teams.

- Provide technical guidance to suppliers in order to ensure product and process compliance to the client drawings and specifications.

- Drive supplier process change control for the supply base to ensure no defects escape to the client  or its customers using 8D methodology

- Work closely with internal client stakeholders such as Sourcing, Quality, Manufacturing, and Engineering as well as with external stakeholders to eliminate roadblocks and communication barriers that may affect quality and delivery requirements.

- Assume leadership role within GA Site team when it comes to improving overall supplier quality and driving initiatives to internal and external stakeholders.

- Establish and drive Supplier qualification and surveillance strategy for suppliers based on buy volume, defect history, single/sole source suppliers, and NPI programs and ensure strategy is directly aligned with business priorities and needs.

- Establish and drive key GA Supplier Quality initiatives across the supply base to include Supplier KPIs and initiatives such as Cost of Failure & Supplier Recovery, FPY, RTY, DPPM, GB/ BB projects, and RCA/CA/ 8D activities.

- Establish and drive Supplier quality review rigor across supply base to include active participation from GA Engineering, Manufacturing, Sourcing, and Quality teams.

- Establish and maintain critical item list for products based on input from the client Engineering

- Support sourcing quality initiatives at sites as needed.

- Support productivity initiatives including cost savings projects based on input from Sourcing and Engineering stakeholders.

- Ensure quality consistency and reduce variation in processes through First Piece Qualification, pilot lot approvals (when required) and with ongoing serial production and Production Part Approval Process ( PPAP) and verification of supplier documentation

- Develop and lead critical supplier quality updates to senior leadership on all supplier metrics, RCA, and NPI programs.

- Coordinate initiation and resolution of Supplier Deviation Requests (SDRs), material substitutions and quality control reviews on non-conformances at supplier facility.

Qualifications/Requirements

• BA/BS Technical or Business Degree or Equivalent Experience
• Fluent in English
• Strong background in interpretation of Engineering drawings/specifications, metrology, and manufacturing process planning/evaluation.
• Extensive background in applicable quality and lean tools/techniques to include: pFMEA, DFM , MPP, QCP, RCA/Apollo/8D, PPAP, PFD, Gage R&R, VSM, SPC, Poke Yoke, and Kaizen
• Proficiency with ERP systems
• Commodity experience related to the following: aluminium castings, machining, harnesses, sheet metal, PCBA, electronic components
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite ( Excel spreadsheet development and analysis , Powerpoint for presentations etc)
• Certified Auditor
• Minimum 5+ years Sourcing, Quality, Engineering, or Manufacturing experience.

Desired Characteristics

• working knowledge and regular usage of data analysis tools with hands on experience with data analysis tools such as Minitab
• Experience related to Protection and Control product line
• Six Sigma GB or BB trained and certified (client  employees only).
• In-depth knowledge of internal auditing and/or ISO 9001:2000 standard.
• Extensive background in applicable engineering processes/techniques to include: Tooling, NDT, FVT/ICT Testing, Brazing, and Soldering.
• Minimum 5+ years leadership experience.
• Demonstrated technical aptitude and passion for quality
• Lean mindset and agile approach.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Analytical and problem solving skills.
• Ability to work in cross-functional team environment.
• Highly motivated and able to manage multiple projects at once.
• Results driven and self-directed.
• Ability to influence others.
• Ability to keep business leaders and peers informed about strategies/plans that will affect them.
• Proficiency with Minitab or similar software package
• Ability to travel 20-30% ( local and International)
• IPC certification and J-STD-001 Training