Lead Auditor

Chemring Energetics UK Ltd; Stevenston; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Chemring Energetics UK Ltd is a global business providing a range of equipment based on energetic materials for defence, civil defence and key commercial customers. An exciting opportunity is available for 2x Lead Auditor to join our team.

Reporting to the Head of Quality and Business Improvement, the Lead Auditor is responsible for leading the CEUK ISO 9001 audit programme, providing independent assurance that the Quality Management System and manufacturing controls meet customer, regulatory,

Qualifications

• Experience planning, leading and reporting ISO 9001 audits within regulated environments.
• In-depth knowledge of ISO 9001:2015 and risk-based auditing principles.
• Proven CAPA, non-conformance handling and root-cause analysis skills.
• Excellent technical writing, reporting and presentation abilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead the ISO 9001 internal audit schedule across core, support, supplier and customer processes.
• Plan and conduct audits, define scope, sampling, evidence and reporting timelines.
• Verify conformity and effectiveness against ISO 9001:2015 and customer/regulatory needs.
• Host audits with customers and regulatory bodies, ensuring timely closure of findings.
• Manage corrective actions, CAPA and track effectiveness of improvements.
• Coach auditors and staff on audit techniques and ISO 9001 requirements.

Skills

Quality assurance

Auditing

Stakeholder management

Analytical thinking

Regulatory knowledge

Education

Degree or equivalent

ISO 9001 knowledge

Tools

Quality Management System (QMS)

Auditing software

Job description

Chemring Energetics UK is a global business providing a range of equipment based on energetic materials for defence, civil defence and key commercial customers

An exciting opportunity is available for 2x Lead Auditor to join our team.

Reporting to the Head of Quality and Business Improvement, the Lead Auditor is responsible for leading the CEUK ISO 9001 audit programme, providing independent assurance that the Quality Management System and manufacturing controls meet customer, regulatory, licence and internal requirements. This role is critical in protecting product safety, customer confidence and certification status whilst driving effective corrective action and continual improvement across the business.

We're looking for experienced Lead Auditor's who can take a proactive and independent approach to quality assurance and compliance. At CEUK, you will work as part of a diverse team, collaborating across multiple departments to strengthen our quality systems and support continuous improvement. With safety, quality and operational excellence at the core, you'll play a key role in maintaining compliance, reducing risk, and ensuring our processes meet the highest standards.

If you're analytical, detail-focused and passionate about driving quality and compliance, this position gives you the opportunity to make a real impact.

Key Accountabilities & Duties:

• Ensure all activities are carried out in full compliance with H&SE legislation, company policies and procedures.
• Own and deliver the risk-based ISO 9001 internal audit schedule across core, support, supplier and customer-related processes.
• Plan and lead audits in line with ISO 9001 principles, defining scope, criteria, sampling approach, evidence requirements and reporting timescales.
• Verify conformity and process effectiveness against ISO 9001:2015, customer requirements, regulatory obligations and company procedures.
• Audit controls relating to product safety, traceability, configuration and change control, inspection, testing, calibration, concessions and release governance.
• Host customer, certification body and regulatory audits, ensuring effective closure of findings and actions.
• Lead opening and closing audit meetings, gather objective evidence and produce clear, concise audit reports.
• Identify opportunities to reduce risk, waste and repeat defects through audits, data analysis and operational feedback.
• Support non-conformance, customer complaint, concession and CAPA processes, ensuring robust root cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Track corrective and preventative actions through to completion, ensuring effectiveness has been verified.
• Escalate significant compliance risks, repeat findings or threats to product safety and certification status where appropriate.
• Support audit readiness through the maintenance of evidence packs and response plans.
• Coach auditors and process owners in ISO 9001 requirements, effective audit techniques and corrective action processes.
• Use KPI data, audit results and trend analysis to identify systemic issues and improvement priorities.

About You:

• You will have a strong commitment to Safety, Quality, Security and Environmental standards.
• A proactive mindset, with the confidence to challenge constructively whilst maintaining professional independence.
• A continuous improvement approach, seeking opportunities to strengthen compliance, quality performance and business processes.
• Strong attention to detail and an evidence-led approach to problem solving and decision making.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to build effective working relationships across Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality and other business functions whilst maintaining objectivity.
• Comfortable working with a range of Quality Management Systems, audit tools and IT systems.
• The ability to remain calm under pressure and prioritise business risks appropriately.
• A persistent and thorough approach to ensuring actions are completed and improvements are sustained.
• A high level of integrity, confidentiality and professionalism.

Qualifications/Experience:

• Degree, HNC/HND or equivalent in Quality, Engineering, Science, Manufacturing or a related discipline; equivalent experience may be considered.
• Experience planning, leading and reporting ISO 9001 audits within regulated, high-hazard or safety-critical manufacturing environments.
• In-depth knowledge of ISO 9001:2015, risk-based auditing principles and quality management systems.
• Proven competence in Non-Conformance, CAPA, root cause analysis and effectiveness verification using recognised problem-solving methodologies.
• Understanding of process control, inspection and testing, traceability, configuration control, calibration, supplier quality and document control.
• Strong coaching and mentoring skills, with the ability to influence operational teams and stakeholders at all levels.
• Excellent technical writing, reporting, data analysis and presentation skills.
• Experience of delivering training and supporting audit and quality improvement activities.