Quality Manager

Coopers Fire; Waterlooville; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job description

Coopers Fire specialises in the design, manufacture, installation, and servicing of cutting-edge and customised Smoke and Fire Curtains for various buildings. Our primary mission is to save lives by providing high-quality and innovative products while promoting effective fire protection solutions.

Every single day, we dedicate ourselves to creating an environment where our colleagues can thrive, work diligently, excel, and have fun in the process. Our core values, which we deeply believe in, are Integrity, Pride and Passion, Teamship, and Pioneering. We genuinely derive joy from witnessing individuals perform at their best and relish their workday experiences. We prioritise the development and support of our colleagues, foster an environment that encourages and values diverse opinions, challenge conventional norms, and consistently collaborate to lead the market through innovative approaches, all in the pursuit of safeguarding lives.

The Quality Manager will lead the company’s Quality function, ensuring compliance with industry standards, regulations, and best practices. This role is pivotal in driving continuous improvement across all processes and fostering a culture of safety, quality, and operational excellence.

In addition to maintaining high standards of compliance, the Quality Manager will play a transformative role in embedding a strong culture of quality throughout the organisation. This involves championing quality at all levels, influencing mindsets and behaviours, and aligning teams toward a shared vision of operational excellence.

Working collaboratively across all functions and levels of the business, the role requires exceptional communication, leadership, and relationship-building skills to inspire and drive change. By partnering with stakeholders in engineering, manufacturing, operations, and customer-facing teams, the Quality Manager will ensure that quality is integral to every decision and action, contributing to the company’s long-term growth and success.

This position will be at the forefront of transformational change, leading initiatives to integrate quality and safety principles into everyday operations, driving innovation, and delivering measurable improvements in performance, customer satisfaction, and employee engagement.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Quality Management

1. Oversee and maintain the company’s Quality Management System (ISO 9001) and ensure adherence to all quality standards.
2. Drive a culture of quality through training, mentoring, and clear communication of quality objectives.
3. Lead the identification and resolution of quality issues, ensuring root cause analysis and the implementation of effective corrective actions.
4. Manage and coordinate internal and external audits, ensuring compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements.
5. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to improve manufacturing processes, reduce defects, and enhance product reliability.
6. Analyze quality data to identify trends, implement preventive measures, and report on performance metrics to senior leadership.

Transformational Change and Continuous Improvement

1. Lead initiatives to integrate quality and safety principles into all aspects of operations, driving continuous improvement.
2. Act as a change agent to promote innovative approaches that enhance efficiency, reduce waste, and improve outcomes.
3. Use Lean and Six Sigma methodologies to identify and implement process improvements.
4. Inspire and engage employees at all levels, fostering a shared commitment to excellence and improvement.

Stakeholder Engagement

1. Partner with the Director of Operations and other leaders to align Quality strategies with business goals.
2. Engage with suppliers, customers, and regulatory bodies to maintain and enhance the company’s reputation.
3. Analyse Quality data and metrics to identify trends and areas for improvement. Generate reports for management review and develop action plans accordingly.
4. Engage with external stakeholders, including regulatory bodies, customers, suppliers, and auditors, to ensure effective communication and alignment on Quality matters.

This role has 2 direct reports

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Essential

1. Proven experience in a Quality management role within a manufacturing or engineering environment.
2. Strong knowledge of ISO standards (9001, 45001) and other relevant certifications.
3. Experience in leading audits and managing compliance with regulatory requirements.
4. Demonstrated success in driving cultural change and continuous improvement initiatives, including a Lean/Six Sigma certificate (i.e. Green Belt or Lean Expert).

Desirable

1. Experience of bespoke / Engineer-to-Order Manufacturing / Construction.
2. ERP implementation experience.

Attributes

1. Strong leadership and influencing skills, with the ability to inspire and drive change across all levels of the organisation.
2. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, capable of building relationships and promoting collaboration.
3. Analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify root causes and implement effective solutions.
4. Highly organised, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
5. Proactive and hands-on approach to challenges and opportunities.

BENEFITS

1. Competitive salary – available upon request.
2. Ample free onsite parking.
3. Early finish and dress-down Fridays.
4. Above statutory Holiday allowance plus able to buy additional holiday.
5. Company social events.
6. Employee Assistance Programme.
7. Eyecare vouchers.
8. Cycle to work scheme.
9. Friendly and supportive environment.
10. Holistic approach to work.
11. Working for a company who cares about you as an individual and not just a cog in the machine.
12. Access to a Discounted Shopping Platform.