Head of Quality

Steatite Limited; Leominster; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Steatite Limited is seeking a Head of Quality for its Leominster operation. The role combines strategic leadership with hands-on delivery to strengthen the QMS and embed AS9100 across the business.

You will lead the Quality function, drive process improvements, governance, and supplier quality, while collaborating with Engineering and Production to ensure robust, compliant products for demanding civil and defence applications.

Qualifications

• Senior quality professional with engineering/manufacturing experience.
• Proven track record transforming or significantly improving a QMS.
• Strong knowledge of ISO 9001 and/or AS9100 with implementation experience.
• Experience in low-volume, high-complexity manufacturing environments.
• Expertise in product conformity, inspection, testing, NCRs, RCA and CAPA.
• Experience working with Engineering, Production, Procurement and Projects.
• Strong leadership, coaching and hands-on approach.
• Defence/aerospace or regulated environments experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Quality function across Steatite Antennas.
• Develop and continually improve a practical, scalable QMS.
• Lead the introduction and embedding of AS9100.
• Strengthen product release, inspection, testing and conformity processes.
• Drive effective non-conformance, root cause analysis and corrective action.
• Strengthen supplier Quality processes and performance.
• Partner with Engineering and Production to translate requirements into robust processes.
• Establish clear Quality governance, ownership and accountability.
• Lead and develop the Quality team.
• Build Quality capability and a culture of prevention and continuous improvement.
• Provide Quality leadership as a member of the Senior Leadership Team.

Skills

Senior Leadership

QMS Development

ISO9001/AS9100

Manufacturing Quality

Root Cause Analysis

Cross-functional Collaboration

Job description

Are you an experienced Quality leader looking for the opportunity to shape, develop and transform Quality, rather than simply maintain an established system?

Steatite Antennas is looking for a Head of Quality to join our Leominster operation and take a leading role in the next stage of our Quality journey.

Operating within a low-volume, high-complexity engineering and manufacturing environment, we design and manufacture specialist antenna systems for demanding civil and defence applications, including avionics and naval platforms.

Reporting directly to the General Manager and joining the Business Unit Senior Leadership Team, you'll combine strategic Quality leadership with a visible, hands-on approach.

A key part of your remit will be strengthening our Quality Management System, bringing ISO 9001 capability in-house and leading the introduction and embedding of AS9100.

What you will be doing

• Lead the Quality function across Steatite Antennas.
• Develop and continually improve a practical, scalable QMS.
• Lead the introduction and embedding of AS9100.
• Strengthen product release, inspection, testing and conformity processes.
• Drive effective non-conformance, root cause analysis and corrective action.
• Strengthen supplier Quality processes and performance.
• Partner with Engineering and Production to turn technical requirements into robust processes and controls.
• Establish clear Quality governance, ownership and accountability across the business.
• Lead and develop the Quality team.
• Build Quality capability and a culture of prevention and continuous improvement across the wider organisation.
• Provide Quality leadership and constructive challenge as a member of the Senior Leadership Team.

What we are looking for

You will be an established senior Quality professional with significant experience within an engineering or technical manufacturing environment.

You will ideally bring:

• Senior Quality leadership experience.
• Proven experience of developing, transforming or significantly improving a QMS.
• Strong knowledge of ISO 9001 and/or AS9100, ideally including implementation or transition.
• Experience within low-volume, high-volume, high-complexity, high-reliability or regulated manufacturing.
• Strong operational Quality experience covering product conformity, inspection, testing, NCRs, root cause analysis and corrective action.
• Experience working across Engineering, Production, Procurement and Projects.
• Strong leadership, influencing and coaching capability.
• A practical, visible and hands-on approach.

Experience within defence, aerospace, high-reliability electronics, precision engineering or another regulated technical environment would be particularly relevant.

Why this role?

This is an opportunity to join at a point where you can make a genuine difference.

You will have the scope to shape our Quality strategy, develop our systems and people, introduce AS9100 and influence how Quality is embedded across the entire operation.

If you are a senior Quality professional who enjoys building and improving – and wants the opportunity to leave a lasting impact, we would like to hear from you.

Security

Due to the nature of our work, the successful candidate will be required to complete BPSS screening before commencing employment and must be eligible and willing to undertake Security Clearance (SC) within the probation period.