Quality Assurance Manager

Innova Search is proudly representing a UK engineering specialist who supply bespoke engineered products and solutions to some of the largest manufacturing and engineering companies across the UK. The company has been operating for over 80 years and has over 400 staff. The business is widely known for its cutting-edge and bespoke solutions across a wide array of products.

We are looking for a dedicated Quality Assurance Manager to lead our quality initiatives and work closely with the leadership team in maintaining and advancing the ISO 9001:2015 management system. This key leadership role will focus on ensuring compliance with company policies, procedures, and regulatory standards while driving continuous improvement throughout the organisation.

Role Responsibilities

1. Oversee the ISO 9001:2015 management system, ensuring its effectiveness through regular audits and compliance with legislative and customer requirements.
2. Implement and maintain quality policies and practices across the organization in line with relevant standards and regulations.
3. Continuously evaluate and improve quality processes, providing expert guidance, training, and support to internal stakeholders.
4. Lead the Quality team, managing resources, resolving conflicts, and driving performance.
5. Facilitate and ensure compliance with processes such as APQP, PPAP, Control Plans, FMEA, and SQA, embedding best practices across the business.
6. Schedule, manage, and oversee ISO 9001:2015 audits, as well as customer and supply chain audits.
7. Investigate product defects and complaints using tools such as RCA, CAPA, and methodologies like 8D and DMAIC, ensuring corrective and preventive actions are taken.
8. Develop and deliver technical documentation, quality plans, and customer documentation packs within specified timelines and budgets.
9. Monitor, analyse, and report on KPIs, including Quality performance, Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ), audits, and complaints.
10. Manage the Quality department's budget, forecasting, and ensuring all activities comply with legal requirements.

Managerial Duties

1. Lead and inspire a cross-functional quality team, managing workloads and setting clear priorities.
2. Oversee employee performance, recruitment, coaching, and professional development while maintaining accurate training records and risk assessments.
3. Drive team performance, attendance, and improvement initiatives, ensuring alignment with the company's strategic goals.
4. Set high standards through personal example, ensuring team members understand and embody expected behaviours and standards.
5. Communicate strategic KPIs to team members to foster alignment and awareness of organisational goals.
6. Act as a technical expert and escalation point for customers and other stakeholders, managing communication, meetings, planning, audits, presentations, and quality deliverables as required.

Required Experience

1. Proven experience in managing ISO 9001:2015 or equivalent quality management systems.
2. A degree in Quality Management, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline (BEng preferred).
3. Accreditation as a Chartered Quality Professional (CQP MCQI), desirable.
4. Background in the engineering industry.
5. Certified Lead Auditor for ISO 9001:2015 or equivalent.
6. Familiarity with Six Sigma and Lean Manufacturing methodologies.