Supplier Development Engineer

oxfordshire, england, United Kingdom

Do you want to grow your career with an innovative, fast-paced and rapidly growing medical device company? OrganOx is committed to developing products that save lives by making every donated organ count. Our dynamic team strive to achieve excellence in the field of organ transplantation and you could be part of our exciting journey.

We are looking for a Supplier Development Engineer to develop supplier relationships, ensure contractual compliance, execute continuous improvement initiatives, seek cost and delivery optimisation, and mitigates risks within the supply chain.

You would possess a diverse skill set including technical competence in engineering principles and manufacturing processes, problem-solving abilities to address issues in supplier performance and product quality, and effective communication and relationship-building skills to collaborate with suppliers and internal stakeholders. You would also have a keen interest in ESG and working knowledge of ESG practices. By cultivating these key skills, the Supplier Development Engineer plays a pivotal role in optimizing supplier performance, enhancing product quality, and ensuring the efficiency and reliability of the supply chain.

This role is offered as hybrid from the OrganOx facility in Oxford, UK, however there will be frequent visits to supplier sites both inside and outside the UK, predominantly within Europe. It is therefore important that you hold a valid driving license and can travel to Europe unrestricted.

Key Responsibilities include:

Developing and maintaining strong relationships with key suppliers based on trust, transparency, and collaboration. Foster open communication and address any issues or concerns in a timely manner.

Developing and maintaining Supply Agreements with suppliers, and supporting the Quality Function in the development and maintenance of Quality Agreements.

Establishing key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics to track supplier performance. Regularly evaluate supplier performance against these metrics and provide feedback to suppliers as needed.

Identifying and mitigating risks associated with the supply chain, including supplier capacity constraints, material shortages, and quality issues.

Collaborating with suppliers to identify opportunities for process improvements, cost reduction, and quality enhancements.

Collaborating with internal stakeholders, including engineering, procurement, quality assurance, and regulatory affairs teams, to ensure alignment on supplier requirements and objectives.

Providing support and guidance to suppliers to help them improve their capabilities and processes. Offer training and assistance in areas such as quality management, process optimization, and regulatory compliance.

Uphold high Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) standards, conducting all activities in compliance with relevant EHS systems.

Skills and Experience:

Technical Competence : Understanding of engineering principles and processes relevant to the products or components being supplied. This includes knowledge of manufacturing processes, materials, and quality control techniques.

Problem-Solving Skills : Ability to identify and resolve issues related to supplier performance, product quality, and production processes. This may involve root cause analysis, corrective action planning, and continuous improvement methodologies such as Six Sigma or Lean Manufacturing.

Technical Writing: Ability to create technical reports, presentations, and procedural documents.

Communication Skills : Effective communication is essential for collaborating with suppliers, internal stakeholders, and cross-functional teams. This includes the ability to articulate requirements, provide feedback, and negotiate agreements.

Project Management : Capability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, set priorities, and meet deadlines. Supplier development projects often involve coordinating activities across different departments and organizations.

Analytical Skills : Proficiency in data analysis and interpretation to evaluate supplier performance, track key metrics, and identify improvement opportunities. This may involve statistical analysis, trend analysis, and performance benchmarking.

Relationship Building : Developing strong relationships with suppliers. This includes conducting supplier assessments, fostering open communication, and resolving conflicts effectively.

Supply Chain Management : Understanding of supply chain dynamics, including sourcing strategies, inventory management, and logistics. This helps in optimizing the flow of materials and minimizing supply chain risks.

Continuous Improvement Mindset : Commitment to ongoing learning and professional development, staying updated on industry trends, best practices, and emerging technologies in supplier development and supply chain management.

Quality and Regulatory Awareness : Understanding of relevant regulatory requirements and industry standards governing product quality, safety, and environmental sustainability.

Contract generation : Understanding of the key elements of supply agreements and their impact on business risk mitigation and supply performance. Ability to work with Suppliers and Legal Council to generate mutually beneficial contracts.

Qualifications and Background:

Good practical skills and experience in the supply chain management and supplier engagement (essential).

A first degree or equivalent in process, manufacturing, mechanical, biomedical or general engineering, or other relevant discipline (essential)

A minimum of 2 years’ experience in the medical device industry (or a comparably highly regulated industry) as a in production or maintenance (5+ years desirable).

Knowledge of Continuous Improvement methodology, i.e. Lean Six Sigma – Yellow Belt (desirable).

We recruit and retain the best people from a broad range of diverse backgrounds who share our values of innovation, evidence, integrity, teamwork, respect and passion. If this sounds like you, and you’re looking for somewhere to grow, develop and thrive, we want to hear from you.