Supplier and Quality Development Engineer

The opportunity

Liebherr Container Cranes Ltd. is hiring a Supplier and Quality Development Engineer for its Quality Department in Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland. The role reports to the Quality Manager, or a nominated delegate, and focuses on strengthening supplier quality performance across a growing and increasingly complex supply base.

The successful candidate will support supplier quality assurance activities, ensure quality standards are met to Liebherr’s demanding requirements, and help reduce defects, variation, and waste through structured improvement work. The position also involves cross-functional problem solving, developmental audits, supplier approval activities, and ongoing process improvement across the supply chain.

Key responsibilities

• Serve as the main quality contact for suppliers and internal managers at LCC.
• Partner with Purchasing, Production, and Engineering teams to set process parameters that support supplier capability and product requirements.
• Apply geometric dimensioning and tolerancing knowledge, along with moderate to advanced arithmetic, geometry, trigonometry, and statistics.
• Conduct supplier validation audits and manage supplier approval by reviewing manufacturing and technology capability as well as health, safety, and environmental risks.
• Use structured problem-solving methods and tools such as SCARs and 8D to investigate root causes and confirm corrective actions for supplier quality issues.
• Analyse supplier quality data to find opportunities for cost recovery and supply chain process improvement.
• Encourage continuous improvement methods including Lean, 5S, Visual Workplace, Poka-Yoke, Measurement System Analysis, PFMEA, and other practical improvement tools.
• Escalate supplier quality issues that cannot be resolved at working level.
• Help the Quality Assurance Manager track and report supplier performance using KPIs to prevent product, process, and system non-conformities.
• Provide training to improve quality awareness.
• Take on special projects and contribute to wider continuous improvement initiatives.
• Carry out any additional duties assigned by management.

Requirements

• A third-level qualification in quality management or engineering, or equivalent practical experience in a similar position.
• At least 2 years’ experience in a comparable role.
• Background in an office environment and in steel fabrication or electromechanical assembly.
• Experience driving process improvement.
• Exposure to team leadership and team dynamics.
• Strong communication skills.
• Good analytical ability and a structured approach to solving problems.
• Careful, thorough, and methodical working style.
• Willingness to learn independently and keep improving.
• Strong project management capability.

About the company

Liebherr Container Cranes Ltd. is a global manufacturer of ship-to-shore cranes, rail mounted gantry cranes, and rubber tyre gantry cranes. Based in Killarney, Ireland, the company designs, manufactures, and exports container cranes worldwide. Established in 1958 as the first Liebherr factory outside Germany, the Irish operation is known for quality, durability, and productivity.

Benefits and additional information

The company offers a competitive salary, pension scheme, training and development support, subsidised canteen, retailer discounts, travel opportunities, a sports and social club, cycle-to-work scheme, and an early finish on Fridays.

CVs will not be accepted by email. Recruitment agencies are not required for this role. For questions, contact Emily O Connor.

One Passion. Many Opportunities.

Location

The position is based in Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland.