Quality Assurance Manager

Principal People Recruitment; Manchester; Remote; GBP 54,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

Principal People Recruitment is partnering with a growing national organisation to hire a Quality Assurance Manager. The role offers autonomy, senior exposure, and the chance to shape quality standards across UK units, reporting to the Chief Operating Officer and guiding a small team.

You will lead QA activities, audit programmes (ISO 9001), drive process improvements, and collaborate with senior stakeholders to optimise performance.

Qualifications

• Experience in Quality Assurance, Quality Management or Business Improvement.
• Strong knowledge of ISO 9001 management systems.
• Ability to improve systems, processes and operational performance.
• Good communication and influencing skills with senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop quality assurance activities across multiple business units and locations throughout the UK.
• Review and improve quality management systems, policies and processes to drive consistency and efficiency.
• Collaborate with COO and senior leadership to identify and deliver business improvement initiatives.
• Oversee internal and external auditing programmes, including ISO 9001 and industry standards.
• Manage and develop an existing team of three, supporting their development.
• Build relationships with operational teams to improve processes and performance.
• Monitor quality performance, drive corrective actions, and report to senior management.

Skills

Quality Assurance

Quality Management

Business Improvement

ISO 9001 experience

Education

ISO 9001 Lead Auditor qualification (preferred)

Job description

Quality Assurance Manager

Location: Home-based with national travel when required

Salary: Up to £60,000 + £6,000 Car Allowance

An excellent opportunity has arisen for a Quality Assurance Manager to join a growing national organisation in a newly created position, offering the scope to shape quality standards, drive business improvements and make a genuine impact across a diverse portfolio of businesses.

Operating across infrastructure, highways and specialist services, the business is continuing to grow and is looking for someone to take a leading role in developing its approach to quality assurance and continuous improvement.

Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer and managing an existing team of three, this position offers significant autonomy, senior-level exposure and the opportunity to influence how quality is managed across the wider Group.

The Role

• Lead and develop quality assurance activities across multiple business units and locations throughout the UK.
• Review and improve existing quality management systems, policies and processes, driving greater consistency and efficiency.
• Work closely with the COO and senior leadership team to identify and deliver business improvement initiatives.
• Oversee internal and external auditing programmes, including ISO 9001 and relevant industry standards.
• Manage and develop an existing team of three, supporting their continued development.
• Build relationships with operational teams, identifying opportunities to improve processes, performance and ways of working.
• Monitor quality performance, manage corrective actions and provide reporting to senior management.

The Successful Candidate

We are open to considering both experienced Quality Managers and ambitious Quality professionals looking to progress into a broader management position.

Ideally, you will have:

• Experience in Quality Assurance, Quality Management or Business Improvement.
• Strong practical knowledge and experience of ISO 9001 management systems.
• Experience improving systems, processes and operational performance.
• Good communication and influencing skills, with the ability to work effectively with operational teams and senior stakeholders.
• An ISO 9001 Lead Auditor qualification or relevant CQI membership would be advantageous but is not essential.

Candidates from a range of sectors will be considered, including construction, civil engineering, highways, infrastructure, manufacturing and other operational environments.

Previous Infrastructure and highways experience is not essential. The priority is finding someone who can demonstrate improvements they have delivered and has the ambition and potential to take on greater responsibility.

What's on Offer

• Salary up to £60,000
• £6,000 annual car allowance
• Home-based working with flexibility to manage your working week
• A newly created position with the autonomy to influence quality and business improvement across a growing national organisation
• Direct reporting line to the Chief Operating Officer
• Opportunity to manage and develop an established team
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, company pension scheme and further benefits
• The position will involve regular national travel, with a preference for candidates based in the Midlands or North of England, although other locations will be considered.