Customer Quality Engineer

Customer Quality Engineer
Buckingham, Buckinghamshire
£45,000 Per Annum
Permanent Positions

Main Purpose of the Job Role:

Delivering the Quality strategy and strategic operational goals to exceed customer expectations for product quality, cost and delivery, optimising production quality levels and supporting operational excellence.

Key Competences and experience required:

• Ideally a minimum of 5 years experience in a similar role, within an OEM or Tier 1 Automotive supplier
• A relevant Degree would be preferential or a minimum of an HNC/HND qualification etc.
• Strong demonstrable problem solving skills (8D, PPS and advanced problem solving)
• Inspection / Quality Engineering background able to use measurement equipment, understand technical drawings (GD & T)
• Automotive sector process knowledge
• Significant competence with APQP and PPAP implementation
• Continuous Improvement mentality (6 sigma green belt) / lean manufacturing experience
• IATF 16949 auditing experience essential (VDA optional)
• Led transformation quality improvement activities
• Customer relationship management with Premium OEM customers
• Previous Management of small teams
• "Built in" quality experience
• Microsoft Office predominantly Excel, PowerPoint & Minitab experience

• Contribute to new business initiatives and projects, review and communicate the impact on Quality activities
• Implement all relevant procedures described in the Quality Management System (QMS) and ensure compliance
• Ensure that all in-house systems and procedures are updated, revised and modified to meet the needs of external certification bodies
• Respond to customer complaints putting in containment actions, full analysis, poke-yokes (error proofing), and implementing short-term and long-term countermeasures
• Champion a programme for the implementation and sustainment of a continuous improvement culture
• Update quality documentation and communicate any carry forward lessons learned from quality concerns in new customer contracts
• Ensure that all necessary systems and procedures are in place to satisfy all customer requirements and audits
• Introduce new systems and procedures where appropriate
• Undertake internal and process audits of the Quality Management System (QMS)
• Management of the Quality team in the sign-off of parts and the resolution of internal/external quality concerns
• Establish and refine quality sign-off instructions, standards and documentation
• Report against agreed quality metrics on a monthly basis
• Lead regular inspection meetings with representatives from appropriate departments to establish an action plan for improving quality
• Attend various meeting and action/communicate instructions
• Produce written reports and make presentations
• Undertake continuous training and development
• Perform root cause analysis and resolve problems
• Stay current and up to date on any changes that may affect the supply and demand of needed products and materials and advise others of any impact
• Identify business improvement opportunities within the organisation
• Identify and deploy the technical skill sets, resource levels and systems to deliver projects, including the engagement of external resources as required
• Develop, Implement and manage key performance indicators (KPIs) for each area of responsibility
• Ensure the function operates in accordance with any health, safety and environmental policies and procedures to ensure the safety and well-being of staff and visitors
• Conduct risk assessments of processes and tasks in the department

Personal attributes required:

• Highly self-motivated, able to challenge current state
• Tenacious, resilient, able to hold own point of in team environment
• Strong presentation skills
• Able to communicate and build relationships from sop floor to director level
• Driven, passionate about quality
• Responsible for personal time and performance management