QC Team Lead

Aurora Lifesciences; South Yorkshire; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Aurora Lifesciences is seeking a Team Leader, Quality Control to manage a team responsible for incoming inspection, product inspection and final release in a regulated medical device environment.

The role requires hands-on leadership, technical guidance and workload coordination, with strong knowledge of ISO 13485, EU MDR and FDA 21 CFR Part 820, plus experience in quality systems and cross-functional collaboration to uphold quality and compliance.

Qualifications

• Experience in quality control within a regulated manufacturing environment.
• Experience in medical device manufacturing is desirable.
• Team leadership or supervisory experience.
• Knowledge of ISO 13485, EU MDR, and FDA 21 CFR Part 820.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support a team of Quality Control and Receiving Inspection personnel.
• Allocate daily workload, provide technical guidance, and support shift priorities.
• Act as a technical escalation point for inspection queries, specification interpretation, and non-conformance decisions.
• Ensure incoming materials, components, sub-assemblies, and finished products are inspected, tested, documented, and dispositioned in line with approved procedures.
• Review and authorise inspection records within delegated authority.
• Support final product inspection, testing, verification, and release activities.
• Review supplier documentation and support receiving inspection requirements.
• Conduct first article inspections against specifications, drawings, and engineering requirements.
• Identify training needs and support team qualification activities.
• Monitor inspection performance, resource needs, and non-conformance trends.
• Contribute to continuous improvement across inspection, manufacturing, and quality processes.
• Promote a culture of compliance, accountability, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Work closely with Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality Assurance, Supply Chain, and other business functions.

Skills

People leadership

Team coordination

Technical judgement

Inspection interpretation

Documentation accuracy

Cross-functional collaboration

Regulatory awareness

Education

HNC/HND/degree in Engineering or Quality

Job description

Role Summary

An established medical technology manufacturer is seeking a Team Leader, Quality Control to support its inspection and quality control operations. This hands-on role will provide daily leadership, technical guidance, and workload coordination for a team responsible for incoming inspection, product inspection, and final release activities.

The role is suited to an experienced quality professional with strong knowledge of regulated manufacturing environments and applicable quality system requirements, including ISO 13485, EU MDR, and FDA 21 CFR Part 820.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and support a team of Quality Control and Receiving Inspection personnel.
• Allocate daily workload, provide technical guidance, and support shift priorities.
• Act as a technical escalation point for inspection queries, specification interpretation, and non-conformance decisions.
• Ensure incoming materials, components, sub-assemblies, and finished products are inspected, tested, documented, and dispositioned in line with approved procedures.
• Review and authorise inspection records within delegated authority.
• Support final product inspection, testing, verification, and release activities.
• Review supplier documentation and support receiving inspection requirements.
• Conduct first article inspections against specifications, drawings, and engineering requirements.
• Identify training needs and support team qualification activities.
• Monitor inspection performance, resource needs, and non-conformance trends.
• Contribute to continuous improvement across inspection, manufacturing, and quality processes.
• Promote a culture of compliance, accountability, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Work closely with Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality Assurance, Supply Chain, and other business functions.

Required Experience

• HNC, HND, degree, or equivalent qualification in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, or a related technical discipline.
• Experience in quality control, receiving inspection, product inspection, or incoming quality within a regulated manufacturing environment.
• Experience in medical device manufacturing is desirable.
• Previous experience in a team leader, supervisory, or shift leadership role.
• Working knowledge of ISO 13485, EU MDR, and FDA 21 CFR Part 820.
• Formal quality system or regulatory training would be advantageous.

Key Skills

• Strong people leadership and team coordination skills.
• Good technical judgement and attention to detail.
• Ability to interpret specifications, inspection criteria, and technical drawings.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to prioritise work and deploy resources effectively.
• Confident working with cross-functional teams.
• Hands-on, proactive, and comfortable working in a regulated manufacturing environment.
• Strong commitment to quality, compliance, safety, and continuous improvement.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will be a practical and detail-focused quality professional with proven experience in regulated manufacturing and inspection environments. They will combine strong technical inspection knowledge with the ability to lead people, manage priorities, and support a culture of compliance and continuous improvement.

They will be confident working in a cleanroom and office-based environment, comfortable interpreting specifications and technical drawings, and able to act as a trusted escalation point for inspection-related decisions. Above all, they will demonstrate a strong commitment to quality, safety, teamwork, and delivering products that meet the highest regulatory and customer expectations.