Specialist Quality Assurance Engineer

Are you passionate about driving supplier quality, preventing issues before they occur, and building strong partnerships with suppliers? Do you thrive in an environment where you can influence stakeholders, drive continuous improvement, and make a lasting impact on product quality? Do you enjoy being the person who turns challenges into opportunities for improvement? Then keep reading.

• Job area: Supply Chain
• Location: Veghel, Netherlands
• Contract type: Full time

As a Specialist Quality Assurance Engineer, you will take ownership of supplier quality performance within your assigned category and play a key role in ensuring that Vanderlande’s products, systems, and services consistently meet the highest standards. Working closely with Category Managers, Project Execution teams, Technology departments, and suppliers across the globe, you will drive supplier development initiatives, lead audits, solve complex quality challenges, and shape long-term quality strategies that directly contribute to business success.

You are someone who enjoys building relationships and influencing stakeholders at all levels, both internally and externally. Combining a strong analytical mindset with a proactive and hands-on approach, you are able to translate data, audit outcomes, and operational insights into meaningful improvement actions. Rather than simply reacting to issues, you focus on identifying risks early, preventing recurring problems, and creating sustainable solutions that deliver lasting results.

Within our international Quality Assurance team, you will act as a trusted quality partner and ambassador, collaborating with colleagues, suppliers, and global quality communities to continuously improve processes, strengthen supplier performance, and enhance product reliability. You will have the opportunity to make a real impact by driving improvements across the supply chain while contributing to Vanderlande’s commitment to becoming Every Day Better.

If you are passionate about quality, enjoy taking ownership, and thrive in an environment where you can influence change, build strong partnerships, and make a tangible impact on global operations, this could be the next exciting step in your career.

Your responsibilities

As a Specialist Quality Assurance Engineer, you will be responsible for developing and executing supplier quality strategies while supporting continuous improvement across the supply chain. Your responsibilities include:

• Developing supplier quality strategies together with Category Managers for assigned supplier categories
• Taking ownership of supplier performance management, including monitoring KPIs and driving continuous improvements
• Managing Supplier Corrective Action Requests (SCARs) and leading Supplier Development Programs
• Conducting supplier audits and internal process audits, acting as Lead Auditor where applicable
• Applying structured problem-solving methodologies such as 8D and Root Cause Analysis to resolve supplier-related quality issues
• Supporting Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) activities and product release validations
• Establishing and improving quality processes for third-party suppliers responsible for design, production, and installation activities
• Participating in quality release plans, site acceptance tests, supplier visits, and quality reviews
• Reporting findings in a clear, fact-based manner and presenting improvement opportunities to key stakeholders
• Acting as a Quality Ambassador and contributing to the continuous development of Vanderlande's global quality standards and best practices

What do we ask from you?

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Technical Business Administration, or a related technical field
• Minimum of 6 years of relevant experience in a strategic quality, supplier quality, or continuous improvement role
• Experience working with international management systems and quality standards such as ISO 9001 and NEN-EN1090
• Experience with supplier audits and/or internal process audits
• Familiarity with LEAN, Six Sigma, PPAP, 8D, and continuous improvement methodologies
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to identify trends, determine root causes, and drive sustainable solutions
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Fluent in English, both written and spoken
• Willingness to travel occasionally to supplier locations

You should apply when

• You enjoy building relationships and influencing stakeholders across different levels and cultures
• You are passionate about quality and continuous improvement
• You have a proactive mindset and naturally take ownership of challenges
• You are comfortable working independently while also collaborating within an international team
• You can translate data and audit findings into meaningful improvement actions
• You take pride in preventing quality issues rather than simply reacting to them

What we offer

In the challenging and impactful position of Specialist Quality Assurance Engineer, you will have the opportunity to shape supplier quality performance and contribute directly to the success of Vanderlande's global projects. You will work in a professional, international, and collaborative environment that offers plenty of opportunities for personal and professional development.

This position offers a competitive salary range of €5.500 to €7.000 gross per month (excluding 8% holiday allowance), depending on experience and qualifications.

On top of your fixed salary, you'll receive the following benefits:

• 40 vacation days (20 statutory days and a flexible budget worth 20 days)
• Flexible working hours
• Hybrid working environment (40% working from home and 60% in the office)
• Health & Wellbeing budget of €300 per calendar year
• Commuting allowance, including full reimbursement of public transport
• Working from home allowance
• Collective pension scheme and discount on additional health insurance
• On-site company health centres with gym, physiotherapists, and occupational therapists
• Vanderlande Academy and extensive training opportunities
• Employee networks, communities, and development initiatives
• Excellent company restaurant and coffee bar with barista