Supplier Quality Engineer

The Supplier Quality Engineer is responsible for managing and improving supplier quality performance for assigned equipment and components, from supplier qualification through manufacturing, inspection, and final release for shipment.
The role works closely with engineering, sourcing, procurement, and project teams to ensure suppliers meet technical, quality, delivery, and compliance requirements across multiple project types, including new installations and service-related scopes.

Key Responsibilities

Supplier Qualification & Onboarding

• Support supplier selection and onboarding through capability assessments and process audits
• Review suppliers’ quality management systems and manufacturing readiness
• Lead initial qualification activities, including first article / first piece approvals
• Manage supplier qualification status and action plans

Supplier Performance & Development

• Participate in supplier assessments and pre‑award discussions
• Monitor supplier performance and contribute to scorecards
• Lead regular supplier quality reviews
• Initiate and follow up on supplier improvement plans when required

Project & Supplier Interface

• Support supplier kick‑off meetings for new orders or projects
• Align supplier requirements with engineering and project expectations
• Review quality documentation such as inspection and test plans

Quality Surveillance & Inspections

• Plan and execute supplier audits and inspections based on risk and data
• Perform manufacturing surveillance, witness inspections, and factory acceptance tests
• Issue inspection reports and track findings to closure

Material Release & Shipment Approval

• Ensure all quality requirements and deviations are closed before shipment
• Review end‑of‑manufacturing documentation
• Authorize material release once compliance is confirmed

Non‑Conformance & Continuous Improvement

• Manage supplier non‑conformances and technical deviations
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective/preventive action follow‑up
• Track quality performance trends and drive continuous improvement initiatives

KPI & Quality Performance Monitoring

• Monitor supplier quality KPIs through regular dashboards
• Update trackers and escalate issues proactively to prevent delivery or quality risk

Required Qualifications & Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Manufacturing, Materials, Quality or similar)
• 5+ years of experience in supplier quality, manufacturing quality, operations, or supply chain
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and technical specifications
• Experience working with industrial equipment or components
• Strong understanding of quality tools
• Excellent English communication skills
• Strong reporting, coordination, and stakeholder management skills
• Willingness and flexibility to travel to suppliers (up to ~70%)
• Structured, proactive, and results‑driven mindset

Preferred / Advantageous Experience

• Exposure to complex or engineered products
• Experience working in multinational or matrix organizations
• Project‑based supplier management experience
• Lean / Six Sigma or quality audit certification is a plus
• Strong cross‑cultural communication skills

With over 90 years' combined experience, NES Fircroft (NES) is proud to be the world's leading engineering staffing provider spanning the Oil & Gas, Power & Renewables, Chemicals, Construction & Infrastructure, Life Sciences, Mining and Manufacturing sectors worldwide. With more than 80 offices in 45 countries, we are able to provide our clients with the engineering and technical expertise they need, wherever and whenever it is needed. We offer contractors far more than a traditional recruitment service, supporting with everything from securing visas and work permits, to providing market-leading benefits packages and accommodation, ensuring they are safely and compliantly able to support our clients.