Lead Quality Inspector

Norton Motorcycles; Metropolitan Borough of Solihull; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An iconic British motorcycle brand is seeking a skilled Metrology Lead to oversee inspection and measurement activities. You will ensure compliance with quality standards while fostering precision and continuous improvement in a vibrant team environment. The ideal candidate will have significant experience in inspection within automotive sectors, strong GD&T knowledge, and excellent leadership skills. Enjoy a competitive salary package, generous holidays, and a range of employee benefits including private medical insurance and opportunities for career development.

Benefits

Competitive salary package

33 days holiday

Generous pension scheme

Private Medical Insurance

Life insurance (4x salary)

FREE fruit

WeCare Employee Assistance Programme

Free electric bicycle hire

Free on-site parking

Qualifications

• Proven experience in inspection/metrology within automotive, aerospace, or precision engineering.
• Strong understanding of GD&T and tolerance stack-up principles.
• Practical experience in MSA, Gage R&R, and statistical data analysis.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate all dimensional inspection and measurement activities.
• Plan and prioritise inspection workloads based on quality priorities.
• Ensure compliance with company's Quality Management System.

Skills

Precision and attention to detail

Strong organisational and coordination skills

Leadership and mentoring capability

Data-driven mindset with a focus on continuous improvement

Effective cross-functional communication skills

Education

HNC / HND in Mechanical / Manufacturing Engineering

Equivalent experience in inspection/metrology

Tools

CMM operation/programming

FARO arm

Laser scanner

Shadowgraph

Job description

We’re not just another bike brand - we're an iconic, British motorcycle brand with over 120 years of history behind us. Our new state-of-the-art facilities in Solihull, West Midlands are home to a tight-knit, but ever-expanding team that's passionate about delivering exquisite riding experiences to our customers.

Under new ownership and proud to be part of the TVS Motor family, we're entering a new era of global success. And we want you to be a part of it!

At Norton, we value respect, trust, and responsibility. We trust our employees to execute their roles exceptionally and professionally, and we value personal development, teaching, and learning. When you join our team, you'll have the opportunity to grow and learn alongside some of the most talented and dedicated people in the business.

So if you're passionate about motorcycles and looking to join a team that's shaping the future of this legendary brand, we'd love to hear from you!

The Role

To lead and coordinate all dimensional inspection and measurement activities within the Inspection Lab, ensuring that components and assemblies conform to engineering and quality requirements. The role ensures compliance with the company’s Quality Management System (QMS) and Laboratory Manual, while developing team capability and continuously improving the accuracy, repeatability, and reliability of measurement systems.

Key Responsibilities

Inspection Planning & Coordination

• Plan, allocate, and prioritise inspection workloads based on production, project, and quality priorities
• Review work requests, drawings, and specifications to select the correct inspection method and equipment
• Track and report inspection throughput, bottleneck and quality performance

Quality Assurance & Continuous Improvement

• Ensure all inspection and measurement activities comply with Norton Quality Management System and Laboratory Manual requirements
• Continuously review and improve inspection control plans, methods, and documentation for robustness and efficiency
• Support and participate in internal / external audits
• Identify improvement opportunities in accuracy, repeatability, turnaround time, and cost of measurement
• Champion 5S, error-proofing, and digitalisation initiatives within the lab environment

Measurement System Assurance

• Lead Measurement System Analysis (MSA) and Gage R&R studies to validate gauge and system capability
• Maintain calibration traceability and ensure calibration intervals are effectively managed
• Investigate and resolve issues relating to measurement system drift, bias, or uncertainty

People Development & Competence

• Maintain and manage inspector skills matrices, ensuring all training and qualification requirements are current
• Provide coaching and technical support to inspectors on GD&T, CMM programming, and advanced measurement techniques
• Drive a culture of precision, ownership, and continuous learning within the metrology team

Technical Support & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Support problem-solving and root-cause investigations through accurate measurement evidence
• Collaborate with Engineering, Production, and Supplier Quality on dimensional/measurement validation and capability improvements
• Contribute to PFMEA, control plan, and fixture validation activities where measurement accuracy is critical

Experience

• HNC / HND or equivalent in Mechanical / Manufacturing Engineering (or demonstrable equivalent experience)
• Proven experience in inspection / metrology within automotive, aerospace, or precision engineering
• Strong understanding of GD&T and tolerance stack-up principles
• Skilled in CMM operation/programming and portable measurement equipment (e.g., FARO arm, laser scanner, shadowgraph)
• Practical experience in MSA, Gage R&R, and statistical data analysis
• Familiarity with IATF 16949, ISO 9001, and laboratory accreditation standards (ISO 17025 preferred)

Key Competencies

• Precision and attention to detail
• Strong organisational and coordination skills
• Leadership and mentoring capability
• Data-driven mindset with a focus on continuous improvement
• Effective cross-functional communication skills

Rewards of working for Norton:

We like to take care of our Nortoneers and we think we offer some pretty decent rewards. Here's what you'll get when you join the team:

💰 Competitive salary package that recognises your skills and experience

🌴A whopping 33 days of holiday (inc. Bank Hols) to relax and recharge

👴 Generous pension scheme that sets you up for the future, with access to personalised advice.

🚑 Private Medical Insurance and a Cash Back Programme to keep you feeling your best

💸 Life insurance (4x salary) because we've got your back no matter what

🍌FREE fruit, got to have your five-a-day!

🩺WeCare Employee Assistance Programme, which includes access to online GP services, dietary advice, mental health support, bereavement counselling, and a fitness programme

🚀 Experience the thrill of an entrepreneurial environment within a larger, well-funded company with ambitious long-term goals.

💡 Elevate your career with our Ideas for Excellence scheme, where every brilliant idea is not just valued, but also rewarded!

🌍 A diverse and international team that brings together different perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences.

🎉 Join the fun with our twice-yearly employee events, payday socials, and loads of exciting activities in between!

🚴♂️Want to go green? You can enjoy free electric bicycle hire

🚗 Plus, no need to stress about finding a parking spot - we've got on-site free parking covered and FREE electric charge points.

We know how important it is to take care of our team, and we're committed to continually improving our reward offering in line with the business growth plan.

Join us and see for yourself!

PLEASE NOTE, WE DO NOT ACCEPT AGENCY APPLICATIONS