Head of Quality & Compliance

Owen Daniels; Coventry; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Owen Daniels is seeking an experienced Head of Quality & Compliance to lead the development and embedding of robust QMS across a regulated engineering environment in the UK. The role focuses on ISO 9001 compliance, supplier and internal quality, and continuous improvement at scale.

You will combine strategic leadership with hands-on quality expertise, drive audits, risk assessments and CAPA, and influence senior stakeholders to embed a culture of quality ownership.

Qualifications

• Senior leadership experience in a regulated engineering/manufacturing environment.
• Strong knowledge of ISO 9001 and QMS implementation.
• Experience in automotive, aerospace, nuclear, energy or complex engineering sectors.
• Auditing, risk management and CAPA experience.
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders and drive continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and continual improvement of the Quality Management System (ISO 9001 and standards).
• Maintain quality assurance, quality control and compliance across engineering, manufacturing, operations and supply chain.
• Ensure compliance with statutory, regulatory, customer and contract requirements.
• Lead internal and external audits, certification assessments and regulatory inspections.
• Oversee non-conformance, root cause analysis and CAPA processes.
• Develop and monitor quality KPIs and report trends to leadership.
• Drive defect prevention and right-first-time performance across operations.
• Manage supplier quality, supplier audits and risk assessments.
• Promote a proactive culture of quality ownership and regulatory compliance.

Skills

Leadership

Quality mindset

Strategic thinking

Communication

Problem solving

Education

Quality/Engineering/Compliance qualification

Lead Auditor training

Regulatory/compliance qualification

Job description

Owen Daniels are seeking an experienced and commercially astute Head of Quality & Compliance on behalf of a leading Engineering business to lead quality assurance, regulatory compliance and continuous improvement within a complex engineering, manufacturing or highly regulated industrial environment.

This is a senior leadership opportunity for an individual capable of developing and embedding robust Quality Management Systems (QMS), ensuring compliance with relevant international standards, customer requirements and industry-specific regulations.

Operating across sectors such as automotive, aerospace, nuclear and energy, the successful candidate will combine strategic leadership with hands-on quality expertise, driving operational excellence, risk reduction and a culture of continuous improvement throughout the organisation.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development, implementation and continual improvement of the organisation’s Quality Management System in line with ISO 9001 and applicable industry standards.
• Establish and maintain effective quality assurance, quality control and compliance processes across engineering, manufacturing, operations and supply chain functions.
• Ensure compliance with relevant statutory, regulatory, customer and contractual requirements.
• Lead internal and external audits, certification assessments, customer audits and regulatory inspections.
• Oversee non-conformance management, root cause analysis, corrective and preventive actions (CAPA), and verification of effectiveness.
• Develop and monitor quality KPIs, reporting performance, trends, risks and improvement initiatives to the senior leadership team.
• Drive continuous improvement, defect prevention and right-first-time performance across business operations.
• Manage supplier quality, supplier audits, risk assessments and performance improvement activities.
• Promote a proactive culture of quality ownership, accountability and compliance at every level of the organisation.
• Provide leadership, coaching and development to quality and compliance teams.
• Support business risk management, change control, process validation and product or service conformity.
• Act as the principal point of contact for quality and compliance matters involving customers, suppliers, certification bodies and relevant regulatory stakeholders.

Candidate Requirements

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Proven experience in a senior Quality and/or Compliance leadership role within a regulated engineering, manufacturing or industrial environment.
• Strong knowledge and practical application of ISO 9001 and the management of an effective, certified Quality Management System.
• Experience within one or more of the following sectors: automotive, aerospace, nuclear, energy, power generation or complex engineering.
• Knowledge of relevant sector-specific standards, regulatory frameworks and customer assurance requirements.
• A strong background in auditing, risk management, non-conformance control, root cause analysis and corrective action.
• Demonstrable experience leading quality improvement initiatives and delivering measurable operational results.
• Experience managing customer and supplier quality, audit programmes and external stakeholder relationships.
• The ability to influence senior stakeholders and embed a culture of continuous improvement and regulatory compliance.
• Excellent leadership, communication, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• A relevant quality, engineering or compliance qualification would be advantageous, alongside Lead Auditor training or equivalent professional accreditation.