QMS Specialist

James Fisher and Sons plc; Elrick; On-site; GBP 48,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private Medical Insurance

Life Assurance

Cycle to work scheme

Company Pension

Job summary

James Fisher and Sons plc is recruiting a QMS Specialist on a full-time fixed-term contract (24 months) based in Westhill or Inchinnan. The role leads the design, structure and implementation of an Integrated Management System (IMS) to create a single, governed way of working across James Fisher Defence and the broader organisation.

You will consolidate policies, processes, standards and procedures, align to the future ERP platform, and drive a 'One JFD' approach with stakeholders across

Qualifications

• Proven experience in Quality, HSEQ, Business Management Systems, or Integrated Management Systems.
• Experience designing or improving management systems and document control structures.
• Strong governance, ownership, and standardisation of processes.
• Ability to work autonomously with minimal direction.

Responsibilities

• Own the design, structure, and implementation of IMS across the business.
• Transform fragmented processes into a single, controlled 'One JFD' system.
• Collaborate with teams across multiple locations to capture and document best practice.
• Identify duplication and inefficiencies and create a single source of truth for policies and procedures.
• Establish governance and document control aligned to business needs.
• Support Project Horizon by aligning documentation with ERP workflows.
• Partner with SMEs, analysts, leaders to ensure practical processes.
• Drive standardisation and compliance with quality, safety, regulatory, and audit requirements.
• Build relationships and influence stakeholders to achieve goals.
• Support IMS rollout and transition from local to global processes.
• Ensure the end result is intuitive, accessible, and embedded in everyday operations.

Job description

About the Role

QMS Specialist Full-time, Fixed Term Contract (24 months) Westhill or Inchinnan

Please note that this role requires security checks.

The Role

Join JFD at a pivotal moment in our transformation journey. We're looking for an ambitious, self-motivated Quality Subject Matter Expert to take ownership of one of the most important business improvement projects within JFD. This is a unique opportunity to shape how we work across the organisation by leading the design, structure, and implementation of our Integrated Management System (IMS), creating a true "One JFD" approach.

Working at the heart of a major transformation programme, you'll drive the consolidation of policies, processes, standards, and procedures into a single, accessible, and governed management system aligned to our future-state ERP platform and value streams. You'll be influencing stakeholders across the business and turning complex, locally held knowledge into a streamlined way of working that supports JFD's future growth and success.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys working with autonomy, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and has the passion, credibility, and determination to take ownership, challenge the status quo, and make a lasting impact on the future of JFD.

What you'll be doing:

• Taking ownership of the design, structure, and implementation of JFD's Integrated Management System (IMS), creating a single, consistent way of working across the business.
• Leading the transformation of fragmented processes, procedures, and documentation into a clear, controlled, and accessible "One JFD" management system.
• Working closely with teams across multiple locations and functions to uncover existing processes, capture valuable operational knowledge, and turn it into documented best practice.
• Challenging the status quo, identifying duplication and inefficiencies, and creating a single source of truth for policies, procedures, standards, and work instructions.
• Establishing robust governance and document control processes, ensuring content is structured, owned, maintained, and aligned to business requirements.
• Supporting the delivery of Project Horizon by ensuring all documentation, processes, and controls align with future-state ERP workflows and value streams.
• Partnering with subject matter experts, business analysts, operational leaders, and project stakeholders to ensure processes are practical, effective, and fully traceable.
• Driving the standardisation of processes and documentation across the organisation while ensuring compliance with quality, safety, regulatory, and audit requirements.
• Building strong relationships across the business, influencing stakeholders at all levels and bringing people together to achieve a common goal.
• Supporting the rollout and adoption of the new IMS, helping teams transition from local ways of working to globally aligned, best-practice processes.
• Ensuring the end result is not just compliant documentation, but a management system that is intuitive, accessible, and embedded in everyday operations.

This is a rare opportunity to play a central role in one of the most significant transformation programmes within JFD. You'll have the autonomy to shape how the organisation captures, governs, and uses its operational knowledge, leaving a lasting impact on the way the business operates for years to come. For someone who enjoys creating structure from complexity, influencing change, and driving continuous improvement, this role offers genuine ownership and visibility.

What we’re looking for:

• Proven experience in Quality, HSEQ, Business Management Systems, or Integrated Management Systems, with a strong understanding of governance, compliance, and controlled documentation.
• Experience designing, implementing, or improving management systems, process frameworks, or document control structures within a complex organisation.
• A highly self-motivated individual who is comfortable working with significant autonomy, taking ownership of outcomes, and driving progress with minimal direction.
• The ability to bring structure, clarity, and consistency to complex or fragmented environments, turning ideas and information into sustainable ways of working.
• Strong knowledge of document control principles, including governance, ownership, version control, and standardisation of business processes and documentation.
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills, with the confidence to engage, challenge, and collaborate with colleagues at all levels of the organisation.
• Experience operating in fast-paced transformation, change, or continuous improvement environments where priorities may evolve and information may not always be readily available.
• Resilience, persistence, and the ability to positively challenge established practices, gaining buy‑in from stakeholders and driving adoption of new ways of working.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to coordinate activities across multiple functions, locations, and cultures.
• A collaborative approach, coupled with the confidence to act as a trusted advisor, facilitator, and subject matter expert within a major business transformation programme.

You’ll be particularly successful if you…

• Enjoy creating order from complexity and tackling challenges that don’t have a clear roadmap.
• Thrive in environments where you can influence change and make a visible impact.
• Have a continuous improvement mindset and are passionate about driving standardisation, efficiency, and best practice.
• Are excited by the opportunity to play a key role in shaping the future operating model of JFD and leaving a lasting legacy across the business.

Why join us?

• Early finish on Fridays
• Competitive salary and benefits package aligned with experience (Private Medical Insurance, Life Assurance, Cycle to work scheme, Company Pension, etc.)
• Clear pathways for career development and organisational visibility
• Inclusive and supportive culture that values individual contributions
• Meaningful work with impact across safety, innovation, and global operations

About Us:

James Fisher is a global engineering services company operating across Energy, Defence, and Maritime Transport. With a strong heritage in maritime operations, we now deliver innovative solutions in challenging environments. Our One James Fisher strategy is focused on building a unified, sustainable business within the Blue Economy, driving progress through technology, expertise, and collaboration.

Visit our website at: Home | James Fisher and Sons plc. For more information about our values and behaviours, follow the link: About us | James Fisher and Sons plc.

James Fisher Defence (JFD), part of the James Fisher Group, is a global leader in underwater capability, delivering cutting‑edge diving, submarine rescue, and hyperbaric solutions to both commercial and defence markets. Operating worldwide, JFD is the foremost provider of submarine rescue services and a trusted name in submarine escape training. We’re also at the forefront of hyperbaric rescue innovation and a leading supplier of advanced diving equipment and saturation systems across the industry. Explore more about JFD

At James Fisher and Sons, we are committed to taking positive action on diversity and strongly encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and recognise that our success is driven by the talent and diversity of our workforce.

To support an accessible and inclusive recruitment experience in the UK, we partner with Vercida. You can learn more about our approach by visiting our company page: James Fisher and Sons diversity, inclusion, culture - VERCIDA