Supplier Development Specialist
18 hours ago
Stafford
Supplier Development Engineer - 12month contract Location: Shrewsbury or Stafford Contract: 12-month contract (with possibility of extension) Rate: Up to £42.04 per hour (SG23) Start Date: February 2026 Working Pattern: Onsite, full time Travel: UK & Europe (2–3 times per month) About the Role An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Supplier Development Engineer (SDE) to join a small, highly skilled team supporting our clients European supplier network. This role plays a critical part in ensuring suppliers deliver world-class quality, on time and defect-free, to facilities across the globe. You will act as the key link between suppliers and our clients manufacturing sites, working hands-on with suppliers to improve processes, close quality gaps, and support both new and legacy product introductions. Key Responsibilities • Act as the primary interface between suppliers and Caterpillar facilities, • Develop strong supplier relationships and proactively drive quality improvements, • Conduct supplier process and quality audits to ensure robust controls are in place, • Support suppliers with APQP, CPPD, PPAP, and NPI activities from design concept through full product life cycle (cradle to grave), • Review supplier proposals for new product introductions and challenge processes to ensure due diligence, • Manage daily quality issues at part number level, facilitating root cause analysis and 8D closure, • Lead and review PFMEA, Control Plans, Gage R&R, and other APQP documentation, • Ensure timely completion and approval of PPAP prior to delivery of new parts, • Monitor and challenge supplier capacity data, including RCCP and OEE, • Coordinate supplier improvement plans where quality performance is below expectations, • Perform supplier QMS audits and Supplier Evaluation Surveys (SES), including new supplier assessments, • Support Material Review Board (MRB) activities in collaboration with Inspection teams, • Deploy Lean principles to drive built-in quality across the supplier network, • Participate in Supplier Performance Management Reviews and regular supplier meetings Essential Skills & Experience • 3–5 years’ experience in a manufacturing environment, • Experience in foundry and/or machining environments (preferred), • Strong understanding of engineering drawings and specifications, • Hands-on experience with metrology equipment and quality standards, • Proven experience with root cause analysis (5 Whys, 8D), • Excellent communication skills — able to engage from shop floor to senior leadership, • Strong written English skills with the ability to produce clear, detailed reports, • Comfortable working in demanding industrial environments, with strong safety awareness Highly Desirable • APQP and PPAP experience, • Experience participating in or leading PFMEA activities, • Knowledge of Lean manufacturing principles Additional Information Working hours: • Shrewsbury: 37.5 hours per week, • Stafford: 37 hours per week, • Core hours: Monday–Thursday 8:00–16:45, Friday 8:00–12:30, • One-stage interview process (Teams, STAR-based)