Quality Manager

COMPANY DESCRIPTION, PROFILE AND SCOPE OF ROLE:

Quality Manager

Our client is a world-class, award-winning, long-established global manufacturing business with strong, sustained investment in capital, plant technology, and people. Operating advanced continuous production lines, they serve demanding high-spec international sectors, including automotive Tier-1 supply chains.

Due to organisational succession planning, they are seeking an experienced Quality Manager to lead daily site Quality Control operations, manage the laboratory function, and drive continuous improvement and compliance across their Quality Management Systems.

KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Reporting directly to the Quality Director, the Quality Manager will play a pivotal hands-on leadership role across the site, ensuring full site compliance and global quality standardisation.

Core Leadership & Management:

• Daily Lab Management: Oversee the daily operations of the QC Laboratory, line-managing the QC Co-ordinator and Laboratory Technicians (appraisals, training checklists, and capability development).
• Audit Oversight: Lead and manage site external IATF 16949 and customer audits, including pre-audit checklists and corrective actions.
• QMS & SOP Administration: Maintain and evolve the site Quality Management System (policy, scope, procedures) and site SOPs.
• Statistical Systems & Integrity: Manage Gage R&R, Measurement System Analysis (MSA) studies, Round Robin testing, calibration, and overall testing system integrity.
• Customer & Supplier Quality: Act as the technical point of contact for customer quality communications, customer site visits, supplier audits, and vendor re-approvals.
• Continuous Improvement: Lead QC High Performance Team projects, drive 5S within the laboratory, and manage data analysis and conclusions from trial runs.

Global Strategy & Executive Reporting:

• Collaborate with the Global Quality Director to align local procedures with the global quality strategy.
• Prepare quarterly capability reports and monthly quality metrics.
• Present technical data and quality performance during strategic business reviews and lead quality reviews for the VP of Operations.

• Maintain QC laboratory risk assessments and administer product documentation/codes.

QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE, SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES:

ESSENTIAL:

• Data-Driven Problem Solving: Proven ability to utilise statistical methodology and data analysis to resolve quality issues (e.g., 8D, Root Cause Analysis).
• Customer Approvals: Hands-on experience managing product approval processes and customer documentation (PPAP).
• Quality Practices: Fully competent in modern Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC) practices within a high-volume, continuous, or precision manufacturing environment.
• Core Quality Tools: Strong technical background in Control Plans, Calibration, and standard quality procedures.
• IT & Data Literacy: High proficiency in Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, and exposure to statistical analysis software.

DESIRABLE:

• Statistical Tools: Experience using Minitab (or equivalent statistical software) for process capability and trend analysis.
• QMS & Auditing Qualifications: IATF 16949 Lead Auditor, ISO 9001 Lead Auditor, or VDA 6.3 certification.
• Lean / Process Improvement: Lean Six Sigma certification (Green or Black Belt) with experience applying Lean tools (5S, TPM, Standard Work).
• Industry Background: Track record in automotive manufacturing or high-precision continuous process sectors (e.g., extrusion, polymers, chemicals).
• Advanced Quality Engineering: Deep understanding of FMEA, MSA (Gage R&R), Process Capability (Cpk/Ppk), and Statistical Process Control (SPC).
• Professional Membership: Membership in the Chartered Quality Institute (CQI).

DETAILS OF SALARY / PACKAGE:

Base Salary: £56,000 to £66,000 per annum (Depending on Experience) / Bonus: Company & Personal Performance Bonus Scheme / Pension: Generous employer contribution up to 7% (with 2% employee contribution) / Holidays: 25 Days Annual Leave + Bank Holidays / Hours: 08:00 – 17:00 (Monday to Friday)