Job Title
Site Supplier Development Engineer
Salary
£57,700 to £72,000 based on skills demonstrated
Contract
Full time & permanent
Location
Desford, Leicestershire
The Opportunity
We are seeking an experienced Site Supplier Development Engineer to ensure that supplier‑provided components consistently meet Caterpillar’s engineering specifications, quality expectations, and regulatory requirements. In this role, you will be the first line of escalation when defects, deviations or non‑conformances occur, rapidly driving containment, root‑cause analysis, corrective actions, and long‑term prevention.
You will work directly with all suppliers supporting the Desford facility, strengthening their processes, improving quality outcomes, and ensuring alignment with Caterpillar standards. Your work with the global Purchasing Category teams will focus on implementing effective improvement plans, process controls, reducing defect rates, and building strong, collaborative relationships across the supply base.
Responsibilities
- Lead immediate containment actions to protect production and customers; drive structured root cause investigations using tools such as 8D, 5 Why, Ishikawa/Fishbone diagrams, DMAIC.
- Support suppliers in implementing corrective and preventative actions, improving process capability and developing robust quality assurance plans that deliver sustainable improvements, including on‑site verification as necessary.
- Monitor trends in supplier quality issues (PPM, defect types, repeat issues); lead improvement projects with chronically underperforming suppliers and support supplier audits when quality performance concerns arise.
- Assess supplier components against engineering drawings, specifications and quality standards, using appropriate inspection and evaluation methods to identify risks early.
- Review manufacturing practices, process controls and quality systems, confirming compliance with Caterpillar requirements and identifying improvement opportunities.
- Interpret engineering prints, electrical and hydraulic schematics and technical information to assess capability, validate audit findings and support effective quality decisions, particularly within electrical assembly or paint.
Qualifications & Experience
- Effective Communications: Communicates clearly and professionally with urgency when required with suppliers and internal teams, adapting style for both technical and non‑technical audiences. Provides constructive feedback, recognises non‑verbal cues, and presents audit findings and quality insights in a clear, concise, actionable way.
- Problem Solving: Leads structured problem‑solving activities independently, applying recognised tools to identify root causes and implement robust corrective actions. Confident in resolving complex or high‑impact issues and embedding learning into standard practice.
- PPAP Experience: Experience with PPAP submissions; able to review documentation, understand non‑conformities and ensure compliance with customer and internal requirements. Understands PPAP expectations, submission levels and approval processes.
- Supplier Management: Drives supplier performance by setting expectations, monitoring compliance and addressing gaps against agreed standards and KPIs. Evaluates process capability and quality system maturity, influences improvement while maintaining strong, accountable supplier relationships.
- Knowledge of QMS requirements within a manufacturing environment and ability to identify compliance gaps and support suppliers.
- Confidence in reading engineering drawings and interpreting engineering prints & schematics.
- Knowledge of core AIAG quality tools (APQP, PPAP, FMEA, SPC).
Benefits
27 days annual leave plus bank holidays; optional flexible benefits including dental, health & vision care plans, EV car lease; up to 10% bonus; contributory pension scheme with Caterpillar matching up to 10%; contributory share scheme with Caterpillar matching 50% of employee contribution.
Travel
Up to 30% regional travel required; position requires working onsite five days a week.
Equal Opportunity Statement
Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply.
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