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Your Work Shapes the World at Caterpillar Inc.

When you join Caterpillar, you're joining a global team who cares not just about the work we do – but also about each other. We are the makers, problem solvers, and future world builders who are creating stronger, more sustainable communities. We don't just talk about progress and innovation here – we make it happen, with our customers, where we work and live. Together, we are building a better world, so we can all enjoy living in it.

Job Description

Job Title: Supplier Development Engineer (SDE)

Location: Peterlee

Salary: £50,359-£62,949 Per Annum

Hours: Full Time - 36.50

Travel: 15% - UK/EAME & Global

Relocation/Sponsorship: Not supported with this role.

Close Date: 2nd October 2023

This role sits within our Resource Industry Division within Caterpillar Inc.

Your impact shapes the World at Caterpillar Inc.

When you join Caterpillar, you’re joining a global team who cares not just about the work we do – but also about each other. We are the makers, Problem solvers and future world builders who are creating stronger, more sustainable communities. We don’t just talk about progress and innovation, here – we make it happen, with our customers, where we work and live. Together, we are building a better world, so we can all enjoy living in it.

The Opportunity:

We are seeking a motivated Supplier Development Engineer to join our team, to provide on-site assistance & leadership to Caterpillar’s supply base in the execution of Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP), the implementation of process control and the deployment of a continuous quality improvement processes.

You will ensure that suppliers can meet corporate and business unit requirements for certification and quality of purchased material.

Job Responsibilities and Duties:

To provide on-site assistance & leadership to Caterpillar’s supply base in the execution of Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP), the implementation of process control and the deployment of a continuous quality improvement processes. To ensure that suppliers can meet corporate and business unit requirements for certification and quality of purchased material.

You will work with suppliers to ensure that robust process controls are in place to prevent nonconformities, to continuously monitor supplier’s key manufacturing processes and quality management system for improvement opportunities and to assist suppliers with Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) activities to ensure production readiness for New Product Introduction (NPI).

The SDE is responsible for the supplier’s processes from design concept to the end of product life (cradle to grave), including the following activities:

• Ensuring the adequacy of the supplier’s quality management system and the capability of people, training, tooling, fixturing and equipment.
• Providing technical support during start-up activities.
• Collaborate with Buyers to improve supplier cost, quality and throughput.
• Ensuring that APQP activities related to process control are being performed by the supplier.
• Monitoring of supplier adherence to Process Change Notification (PCN) (for changes driven by Supplier and Caterpillar) on a timely and cost-effective basis.
• Helping suppliers extract value from the APQP process.
• Managing supplier’s project plans and activities to ensure product meets Caterpillar expectations, ensuring all relevant requirements and related changes are thoroughly documented.
• Reviewing APQP documentation (e.g., Process FMEA {failure mode & effects analysis), Process Control Plans, Gauge R&R (repeatability & reproducibility).
• Auditing overall supplier capability and process control implementation and effectiveness to validate process capability.
• Ensuring PPAP (Production Part Approval Process) completion and approval prior to delivery of new parts. Additionally, the SDE ensures resolution and implementation of robust solutions for quality problems associated with purchased materials and engineering issues. Reviewing, approving and validating 8D permanent corrective action plans.
• Performing quality management system audits and Supplier Evaluation Surveys (SES), including assessments of potential new suppliers.
• Where supplier quality performance is unacceptable, coordinating the supplier response and improvement plans.
• Develop target supplier’s capabilities to attain SQEP (Supplier Quality Excellence Process) certification.
• Deploys Lean Processes to ensure Built in Quality in the Supplier Network.
• Participating in the development of Supplier Quality Metrics.

Skills and Experience:

Candidates will have gained the following skills and experience through previous roles:

• Degree in Engineering or Equivalent experience.
• Ability to read engineering drawings.
• Experience executing quality processes with engineering suppliers.
• Sound knowledge and experience of APQP, including the PPAP process, FMEA’s, control plans, process flow and capability studies.
• Experience of applying 8D process or other structured problem-solving techniques in a manufacturing environment.
• Industry experience in Manufacturing, Industrial, Automotive and Aerospace.
• Sound knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.
• Experience working with suppliers.

Candidates may have gained the following skills and experience through previous roles:

• Project management experience.
• Material metallurgical experience.
• Measurement techniques.
• Knowledge of tool design.

Benefits:

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, 12% Bonus target, Share Scheme (50% Company Matched), Contributory Pension Scheme (Contribution double by Company up to 10%), Childcare Vouchers, Free Car Parking, Caterpillar Advantage website.

NB. The panel cannot make assumptions when shortlisting therefore please demonstrate your qualifications and experience on your CV relevant to the criteria outlined.

Pending the number of applications, the criteria for the position may

Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EEO).

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