Responsibilities
- Support strategically selected suppliers by performing on-site supplier visits, going to the Gemba, to undertake root cause analysis and implement corrective action plans to reduce supplier Non‑Conformance Reports (NCR’s) and improve supplier quality
- Engage in supply chain improvements by active and collaborative supplier engagement to eliminate waste, emphasize defect prevention, reduce component variation, and nurture an environment of continuous improvement
- Develop an understanding and utilize continuous improvement tools such as Lean, Six‑Sigma, Poka‑Yoke (Error Proofing), Measurement System Analysis, and Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (PFMEA) to enhance supplier performance
- Collaborate with Thorlabs Purchasing, Planning and Quality Engineering teams to monitor and critique key supplier quality data to identify process improvement opportunities within the supply chain
- Rehabilitate underperforming suppliers with unresolved or repeat quality issues, going to the Gemba and coaching the supplier to develop true corrective and sustainable actions
- Collaborate with Thorlabs Engineering teams (R&D, NPI, Quality, and Manufacturing) to define critical component/process characteristics (PPAP) to ensure supplier process capabilities are matched to requirements
- Produce and present concise supplier action plan summaries with internally agreed KPIs to monitor and track impact of supplier quality improvements on cost, quality, and on‑time delivery
- Develop a supplier audit programme to ensure corrective actions are maintained by periodic verification of supplier correction action plans and to verify that agreed manufacturing standards are adhered to
- Participate in internal cross‑departmental initiatives to develop a holistic and comprehensive quality management system
Qualifications
- Degree qualified in Manufacturing Engineering, Process Engineering, Quality Engineering or equivalent
- Minimum 3 years’ experience in an equivalent Supplier Quality Engineering role
- Basic to intermediate understanding of Lean principles and their practical implementation within the supply chain, with the ability to coach suppliers to adopt lean principles (including but not limited to SMED, PFEP, EPEI, and pull)
- Basic to intermediate experience in Supplier quality development and working with suppliers to meet agreed quality standards
- Appreciation of Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) & Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA); experience in Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) would be beneficial
- Ability to understand and interpret high precision engineering drawings (down to micron level tolerances would be beneficial)
- Experience in a low volume, high mix manufacturing environment
- Substantial ability to create and enhance working relationships with suppliers to partner in their pursuit of zero defects
- Experience in working with a multidisciplinary project team to drive improvement projects through to completion
Company Information
Thorlabs is a global, industry‑leading optical technologies company. We are experts in the design and manufacture of a range of innovative photonics products, used in manufacturing and research from fibre optics to piezo motors. We are the gold standard with optics laboratories worldwide. There are now 22 facilities across the world in 9 countries. Here in Ely, we are responsible for the Motion Control and Optical Tables product line.
Working Hours & Location
Working Hours: Monday to Friday 8.00am – 4.30pm. The office is located 12 miles from Cambridge, within the beautiful medieval city of Ely, with train and bus links from Kings Cross and Liverpool Street London. The site is within distance of Ely train station and Ely bus station.
Interview Process & Benefits
Interview Process: 2 stage process following shortlisting – First stage: 1 hour Teams interview; Second stage: Onsite 3-hour interview. Department: Motion Control. What will you get? At Thorlabs there are lots of opportunities for in‑house customised training and development that accelerates your career progression. We have free onsite parking, free refreshments, as well as an entertainment area in our large canteen. Benefits include competitive salary, pension, health care, 25 days holiday plus public holidays.
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