Head of Supplier Quality Assurance

Wrightbus; Cherwell District; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

10% discretionary annual bonus

Private medical insurance

Job summary

A growing manufacturing company in Cherwell District is seeking a Head of SQA to oversee quality operations and implement strategic changes. The role involves developing performance metrics, ensuring supplier quality, and leading continuous improvement initiatives. Applicants must have a relevant Bachelor's degree and significant experience in quality management within manufacturing or regulated industries. Benefits include a 10% discretionary annual bonus and private medical insurance for employees.

Qualifications

• Minimum 12 years' experience in a Quality role in manufacturing or 7 years in a regulated industry plus 5 years managing a supplier quality team.
• Ability to analyse facts, data, and trends to support quality improvement initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Develop and monitor KPIs; provide guidance and coaching to improve performance.
• Communicate with personnel at all levels regarding quality matters.
• Lead business system development and continuous improvement activities.
• Ensure supplier audits are completed according to documented requirements.

Skills

Proficiency in reading technical drawings

Data analysis skills including statistical methods

Knowledge of relevant quality standards (ISO 9001, IATF 16949)

Structured problem-solving methodologies (8D, PPS, DMAIC)

Lean Methodologies

5S Methodology

Education

Bachelor's degree (Engineering or Science)

Tools

Microsoft Office

AIAG core tools (PF, PFMEA, CP, MSA, SPC)

Job description

“We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications from suitably qualified and experienced candidates. We therefore encourage early applications.”

All applicants must hold valid right to work in the UK. Please be aware that we are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position now or in the future.

This position will be located at our Newpower facility in Bicester.

Job Summary

Wrightbus, a fast‑moving company that has experienced considerable growth in the last year, is seeking a Head of SQA to plan and implement strategic change, ensure the team achieves its operational goals, and identify and fix problems within the team to continuously improve its performance and cost effectiveness.

Role

• Develop and monitor KPIs; provide guidance and coaching to improve performance
• Provide oversight on quality of completed 8D's
• Reduction of reject quantities, reject costs, quantity of R2’s and indirect costs caused by poor supplier quality
• Ensure critical improvement projects are completed on time
• Verify all relevant processes and procedures within the Quality Management System are effectively implemented and updated
• Communicate with personnel at all levels internally and externally in relation to quality matters
• Ensure supplier audits are completed according to documented requirements
• Validate and verify the supplier audit schedule and corrective action plans are effective
• Verify quality control documentation for assessment of bought‑in parts is sufficient
• Work in conjunction with the QA/QC function to reduce the effect of non‑conforming supplier materials
• Report against agreed objectives and KPI's
• Address systemic weaknesses internally and cross‑functionally
• Lead business system development and continuous improvement activities
• Develop training materials and lead training sessions

Requirements

• Bachelor (Eng or Sc) degree
• Minimum 12 years' experience in Quality role in a manufacturing industry Or Minimum 7 years' experience in Quality role in a in a highly regulated industry such as Automotive or Aerospace. And 5 years managing a supplier quality team
• Proficiency in reading and interpreting technical drawings and specifications inc GD&T
• Structured problem-solving methodologies (8D, PPS, DMAIC)
• Advanced Root cause methods Is/Is-Not, Cause- Effect analysis & and KJ Analysis
• Knowledge of Manufacturing processes, Inspection and test methods and best proactive relevant to scope of responsibility
• Data analysis skills including statistician methods
• Understanding of relevant quality standards such as ISO 9001, IATF 16949
• 'Lean' Methodologies
• '5S' Methodology
• Proficient in defining, monitoring, and reporting key performance indicators (KPIs) for the quality team.
• Skilled at process mapping, design and continuous improvement
• Able to analyse facts, data, and trends to support quality improvement initiatives.
• Knowledgeable about the principles and methods of continuous improvement and how to apply them in practice.
• Proficient in using Microsoft Office applications for data entry, analysis, and presentation.
• Use of AIAG core tools (PF, PFMEA, CP, MSA, SPC)
• Development & implementation of strategies

Benefits

• 10% discretionary annual bonus
• Private medical insurance for the employee