Lead Quality Engineer

Lead Quality Engineer

Chippenham, Wiltshire

£40,000 – £45,000 Per Annum + Benefits!

We at JKR are supporting a specialist electronics company with the recruitment of a Lead Quality Engineer to take ownership of the quality function at their Chippenham site.

This is a hands-on, operational quality role combining PCB and component inspection with ownership of the Quality Management System, supplier and customer quality, non-conformance management and audit readiness.

The successful Lead Quality Engineer will have the authority to make accept, reject and release decisions, including holding shipments where required, while working closely with goods-in, stores, dispatch, purchasing and overseas manufacturing partners.

The Lead Quality Engineer Role:

• Inspect incoming printed circuit boards and components against IPC acceptability criteria, customer requirements, drawings and specifications

• Make and record accept, reject and concession decisions, escalating where decisions fall outside delegated authority

• Manage the identification, segregation and quarantine of non-conforming material through to resolution

• Verify supplier quality documentation including test reports, microsection reports, Certificates of Conformity and material declarations

• Maintain the ISO 9001 Quality Management System, ensuring procedures, work instructions and document control remain audit ready

• Plan and carry out the internal audit programme and host external certification, customer and third-party audits

• Own customer complaints and returns from investigation through to closure, including written corrective action responses

• Manage supplier and manufacturing partner quality performance, raising non-conformances and driving corrective actions to verified closure

• Maintain the approved supplier list, support new supplier approvals and conduct supplier audits where required

• Provide hands-on quality support across goods-in, stores and dispatch, including traceability, labelling, ESD control and moisture-sensitive device handling

• Support final quality release and ensure outgoing documentation, Certificates of Conformity and test data are complete and accurate

• Manage calibration of measuring and test equipment, maintaining the equipment register and recall schedule

• Report quality performance, trends and KPIs to the management team and support management review

• Support New Product Introduction, ensuring quality and acceptance requirements are understood before product is ordered

• Use non-conformance, supplier and customer feedback data to identify and implement practical quality improvements

The Lead Quality Engineer Ideal Candidate:

• Demonstrable working knowledge of ISO 9001 within a certified environment

• Hands-on experience of printed circuit board inspection or PCB assembly

• Experience acting as a sole or lead quality resource, or deputising for one

• Strong knowledge of non-conformance management, root cause analysis and corrective action

• Experience investigating customer complaints and producing corrective action responses

• Confident using MS Office and ERP or MRP systems

• ISO 9001 Internal Auditor training and experience hosting external audits would be advantageous

• Formal root cause analysis training such as 8D, 5 Whys or Fishbone would be beneficial

The company will fund IPC certification for an otherwise suitable candidate who does not already hold it. A background in PCB assembly will also be considered equivalent to bare board inspection experience.

Lead Quality Engineer Key Skills:

• Hands-on quality leadership and confident decision-making

• Clear written and verbal communication with customers, suppliers and auditors

• Ability to work independently and take ownership of the quality function

• Strong problem-solving and continuous improvement skills

Working Hours & Benefits:

• 8.30am-5pm Monday-Thursday, 8.30am-1pm Fridays (36.5 hours per week)
• 25 days' holiday + Bank Holidays
• Pension scheme

For more information regarding this position, please apply or contact Jackie Kerr Recruitment.

Jackie Kerr Recruitment is an independent agency that has been established for 28 years.

We strive to provide the ultimate consultancy service to all our candidates. Whether you are looking for permanent or temporary work we pride ourselves in understanding our candidates' requirements to ensure that we place you in your ideal role.

We have recently heavily invested in new Recruitment Software that provides an online portal. Simply visit jackiekerrrecruitment . com to enter your details and you will receive job alerts, hot off the press.

The portal enables you to update your information and CV at any time, so we always have your latest employment details on record.

So please visit our website and let us help you to find your dream job!

Please note: At Jackie Kerr Recruitment we receive a huge number of applications for each job that is posted. If you do not hear from us within 2 weeks of your original application, please go to our website jackiekerrrecruitment . com to apply for other jobs that may be suitable to you.