Description

Senior supplier quality engineers (senior SQE) is an executive in charge of projects that ensure the continuous supply of top-quality products to the company. In the first place, they create testing and experimental methods to evaluate the quality of the supplies as well as the delivery system. After establishing a reliable testing method, the supplier's senior quality engineer is responsible for the gathering of data. Upon obtaining the necessary information, they guide team members through data analysis and write a report that sets out recommendations for how to proceed. The report is usually provided to department managers, the senior management and senior management.

After submitting the report and obtaining approval from the senior management The senior supplier quality engineer starts implementing the the agreed-upon corrective measures. They collaborate together with the team members and supplier to establish new policies and goals to improve the quality of supplies or to create an efficient delivery system. Once the implementations are in place and these new methods are analyzed and then analyzed. Once the system that was causing problems is fixed and the quality engineer is back to oversee the supply chain in general.

Senior suppliers quality engineers typically have at minimum a master's level engineering degree or another similar technical field. Because of the project management nature of the job the majority of senior suppliers quality engineers also possess certifications in project management.

Roles & Responsibilities

As a Senior Supplier Quality Engineer SQE with 6-9 years of experience in the United Kingdom, your main responsibilities include:

  • Evaluate supplier quality standards and performance, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and industry standards. Conduct regular assessments of suppliers' quality systems to ensure adherence to established standards, laws, and regulations.
  • Collaborate with suppliers to resolve quality issues and implement corrective actions. Identify and address quality issues, working closely with suppliers to develop and implement effective corrective actions.
  • Lead supplier audits and provide recommendations to improve processes and enhance product quality. Conduct thorough audits of suppliers' facilities, processes, and documentation, and provide detailed recommendations for improvement.
  • Develop and maintain strong relationships with suppliers, fostering open communication and continuous improvement.

Qualifications & Work Experience

For a Senior Supplier Quality Engineer (SQE) job role, the following qualifications are required:

  • Extensive experience in supplier quality management and a deep understanding of quality assurance processes and methodologies within the manufacturing industry.
  • Strong knowledge of regulatory requirements and compliance standards, such as ISO 9001, AS9100, or other relevant quality standards applicable to the industry.
  • Proficiency in utilizing quality tools and techniques such as APQP, PPAP, FMEA, and Control Plans for effectively assessing and managing supplier performance and product quality.
  • Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to investigate and resolve supplier-related quality issues, working closely with cross-functional teams and suppliers to ensure timely resolution.

Essential Skills For Senior Supplier Quality Engineer (SQE)

1

Quality Management

2

Quality Control

3

Quality Assurance

Career Prospects

The role of Senior Supplier Quality Engineer SQE is vital in ensuring high-quality suppliers and manufacturing processes. For professionals in the United Kingdom with 6-9 years of experience, here are following alternative roles worth considering:

  • Quality Assurance Manager: In this role, you would oversee the overall quality management system, develop quality standards, and implement improvement processes.
  • Supply Chain Manager: This position involves managing the end-to-end supply chain activities, including procurement, logistics, and inventory management, to ensure an efficient and reliable supply network.
  • Operations Manager: With this role, you would be responsible for optimizing manufacturing processes, increasing efficiency, and improving productivity while maintaining quality standards.
  • Lean Six Sigma Consultant: As a Lean Six Sigma expert, you would lead process improvement initiatives, identify and eliminate waste, and implement quality control methods to enhance operational efficiency.

How to Learn

The role of Senior Supplier Quality Engineer (SQE) in the United Kingdom is expected to experience steady growth in the market. Over the past 10 years, there has been a consistent increase in demand for professionals in this job role. The job outlook for the future also appears promising, with numerous employment opportunities anticipated to be available. This projection is based on the latest data points available with Google, reflecting the importance of ensuring supplier quality and its impact on businesses. As a result, the role of Senior Supplier Quality Engineer is expected to continue to expand, providing individuals with significant career prospects in the coming years.