Supplier Manufacturing Engineer - #1737861

Fantastic challenges. Amazing opportunities.

GKN Aerospace is reimagining air travel: going further, faster and greener! Fuelled by great people whose expertise and creativity sets the standards in our industry, we’re inspired by the opportunities to innovate and break boundaries. We’re proud to play a part in protecting the world’s democracies. And we’re committed to putting sustainability at the centre of everything we do, opening up and protecting our planet. With over 16,000 employees across 33 manufacturing sites in 12 countries we serve over 90% of the world’s aircraft and engine manufacturers and achieved sales of £3.35 bn.in 2023. There are no limits to where you can take your career.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Supplier Development Manager, the Supplier Manufacturing Engineer will be part of the newly launched Global Supplier Support team, with a core focus on evaluating and improving manufacturing and process capability at critical suppliers. This international, hands-on role targets suppliers with acute performance issues, applying strong process engineering and production expertise to stabilise supply and improve operational flow.

The successful candidate will use deep manufacturing knowledge to assess supplier production systems, identify root causes of delivery or quality failure, and implement effective process control and flow improvements. Working closely with Operational Procurement and Program teams, the role blends technical understanding with supplier engagement to deliver rapid and sustainable recovery plans.

Job Responsibilities

Evaluate manufacturing and process capability of underperforming suppliers, identifying systemic production constraints and inefficiencies

• Lead root cause analysis and implement process improvement plans to support supplier recovery and stabilization
• Apply LEAN Manufacturing and Practical Problem Solving techniques (e.g. 8D, A3, PDCA, DMAIC) to drive sustainable operational improvements
• Support supplier process flow mapping, capacity modeling, and throughput analysis to restore reliable output
• Collaborate with Operational Procurement and Program stakeholders to align supply recovery efforts with delivery and quality targets
• Build strong relationships with supplier operational teams and influence adoption of best practices in production control and quality management
• Promote and deploy tools from the GKN Supplier Management Framework across the supplier base
• Act as a technical advisor on supplier capability, process risk, and readiness to support future production demand
  
  

What you'll bring

Essential

To help us make a difference, you’ll bring your passion and talent for what you do along with the following skills, experience, qualifications and attributes:

• Strong background in manufacturing or process engineering, with hands-on experience in improving production processes and flow
• Proven expertise in applying LEAN Manufacturing principles and Practical Problem Solving techniques (8D, A3, PDCA, DMAIC)
• Experience in evaluating and enhancing supplier manufacturing capability and capacity
• Strong experience in managing complex, global value chains and driving supplier performance improvements
  
  

Desirable

• Strong understanding of quality management systems and standards
• Professional accreditation in Engineering, Project Management, Quality, or Procurement (CIPS, CEng, CQI, etc.)
• Lead auditor qualification and familiarity with quality auditing practices
• Experience with Electrical, Composite, or Metal Machining processes
• Strong understanding of procurement and/or program management
  
  

We are looking for a highly organised individual with excellent communication skills and a flexible approach to work. This role requires frequent travel, both domestically and internationally, as part of our global operations and supplier engagements.

What we'll offer

Once you’re on board you’ll get the following perks and benefits:

• Competitive salary dependant on experience
• Opportunity to earn up to 15 %bonus
• Hybrid working – giving you the opportunity to balance home and office working
• Industry Leading Pension Scheme = we’ll match your contributions up to 8% on a 1 : 1.5 basis
• Life Assurance 8 x salary
• 25 days holiday + bank holidays
• Income protection
• Shopping discounts
• Cycle To Work Scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• A collaborative, dynamic working environment
  
  

As well as a competitive package we’ll offer you a world of opportunity. We want to see your career fly! We’ll support your career progression by providing you with learning and development opportunities. That’s the beauty of being part of a global business, once you’re on board you never know where you career journey may take you!

We’ll offer you fantastic challenges and amazing opportunities. This is your chance to be part of an organisation that has proven itself to be at the cutting edge of our industry; and is committed to pushing the boundaries even further. And with some of the best training on offer in the industry, who knows how far you can go?

A Great Place to work needs a Great Way of Working

Everyone is welcome to apply to GKN. We believe that we can only achieve our ambitions through a coming together of diverse minds who enjoy collaborating in an inspirational environment. Through our commitment to diversity, inclusion and belonging and by living our five powerful principles we’ve created a culture where everyone feels welcome to contribute. It’s a culture that won us ‘The Best Workplace Culture Award’. By embracing and celebrating what makes us unique we encourage everyone to bring their full self to work.

We’re also committed to providing an accessible recruitment process, so if you require reasonable adjustments at any stage during our recruitment process please get in touch and let us know.

We are the place where human dreams, plus human endeavour, shape the future of aerospace innovation and technology.