Supplier Quality Assurance Engineer

We are currently looking for a Supplier Quality Assurance Engineer

A little about us:

With over a century of engineering expertise and innovation, KNDS UK is a renowned world leader in rapidly deployable military bridging systems and a key partner in the UK MoD’s Boxer armoured vehicle programme.

We are proud of our heritage and our reputation of providing the highest quality engineering solutions for over 100 years. As a trusted partner to military customers around the world, our employees are the very heart of our company. We have a skilled and experienced workforce dedicated to achieving excellence in all areas of the business from Engineering to Project Management, Business Support to Operations.

As our business evolves, we are looking to strengthen our workforce with talented and motivated individuals across a range of disciplines to work from our Northwest Engineering Centre of Excellence and currently have this opportunity available:

About the role:

The core purpose of this job function is to be responsible for the planning and implementation of activities concerned with development, application and maintenance of quality standards for industrial processes, materials, and products, within the KNDS supply chain.

Key duties include, but are not limited to:

• Coordinating with purchasing department to monitor supplier performance, generating regular reports and administering corrective actions as necessary.

• Completing supplier and performance audits to enhance process standardisation and waste elimination.

• Resolving non-conformance issues with supplied materials and following up with suppliers for completion of corrective actions.

• Developing standards and requirements for purchased components.

• Evaluating supplier data to initiate process improvement opportunities. 

• Reviewing engineering and manufacturing specifications to identify materials needed for product assembly for all manufactured goods.

• Contacting vendors and liaising between product engineers, manufacturing personnel and suppliers to negotiate contracts and secure required materials for production. 

• Conducting supplier quality control audits on a regular basis to ensure vendors and their supplies remain in compliance with KNDS requirements.

• Communicating with vendors regularly to address any concerns and fostering an environment that facilitates continual improvement. 

• Understanding and interpreting all manufacturing audits, including ISO 9001, ISO 14001, AQAP 2110, and other applicable industry standards.

• Updating and improving supplier database, including performance evaluations and quality control audits for in-house access by relevant KNDS personnel.

• Assisting with logistics, including communications with vendors, when there are packaging and receiving issues when materials arrive at receiving dock.

• Assisting with all aspects of Inspection during the paint coatings process.

What we’re looking for:

Applications will be considered from applicants who can demonstrate the following:

• Quality and/or Supply Chain management qualification (or 5 years equivalent experience).

• Degree in a relevant Engineering discipline. 

• Full UK driving licence and a valid passport.

• Level 2 Paint inspection.

• Driving Continuous Improvement/Lean manufacturing.

• Sourcing, Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing and program management.

• Developing and implementing vendor qualification.

• Knowledge of quality and business systems.

• Strong knowledge of Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP), Production Part Approval Process (PPAP), Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA).

• Proven experience in the review and validation of internal or supplier submitted PPAPs.

• Must be able to coach organisations on how to development, implement, and manage APQP.

• Cross functional management.

• Understanding and interpretation of engineering drawings.

• Knowledge or experience with regulatory requirements.

• Demonstrable knowledge of manufacturing process and production equipment.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills; ability to write technical documents.

• Knowledge of quality system methodologies, such as Pareto Analysis and Six Sigma.

• Knowledge of Military paint coatings application/Inspection.

What you can expect from us…

We signed the Armed Forces Covenant in 2018, achieved their Silver Award in 2020, and the Gold Award in 2024 which means that we actively support and encourage service leavers, reservists and cadets to join our team, recognising military skills and qualifications in our recruitment and selection process. When you become part of the KNDS UK team, you will enjoy employee benefits such as:

• Competitive salary

• Attractive pension (4% employee contribution, 7% employer contribution)

• Flexible working

• Half day Friday

• Life assurance scheme

• Company sick pay scheme which increases with service

• Free unreserved car parking

If this sounds like the opportunity for you, please apply by clicking the link at the top of the page or email your CV with a cover letter to careers@knds.co.uk. 

We look forward to receiving your application!

Please note that we have a Preferred Supplier List in place and we will contact agencies directly should the need arise, however any unsolicited CVs received via an agency will be accepted with thanks but without fee.