Quality Assurance Manager

Blue Octopus Recruitment Limited; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading forging company in Sheffield is seeking a committed Quality Assurance Manager who will lead the Quality Management System implementation and oversee compliance across their operations. The ideal candidate will have experience in quality management within Aerospace and strong knowledge of QMS standards like AS 9100 and ISO 9001. This position offers an excellent opportunity for personal and professional development while contributing to the company's journey to excellence.

Benefits

33 days holiday

Pension scheme with 5% contribution

Bonus scheme

Westfield health cash plan

Access to fitness apps

Qualifications

• Experience in quality management within Aerospace.
• Strong knowledge of QMS standards (AS 9100, ISO 9001).
• Ideally with experience in forging or machining operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation of the Quality Management System.
• Conduct internal audits and ensure compliance with standards.
• Mentor and develop a team of Quality Engineers.

Skills

Quality management

Auditing

Root cause analysis

Leadership

Statistical methods

Education

Quality Management qualification

Tools

SPC

MSA

PPAP

PFMEA

APQP

Job description

Independent Forgings and Alloys have an exciting opportunity for a committed and driven Quality Assurance Manager to join our journey to become the number one forging company in the world.

Main Purpose of the Role

The Quality Assurance Manager will lead and will be responsible for ensuring that the company’s Quality Management System and it’s accreditation is effectively implemented, maintained, and continuously improved across a large metal forging operation. This role leads quality assurance programs covering compliance, audits, process documentation, customer quality requirements, and systemic quality performance.

Main duties include:

• Maintain and develop the company’s QMS AS 9100 Rev D, ISO 9001:2015, NADCAP, ISO/IEC 17025:2017 AS/EN9100). Lead the development, revision, and approval of procedures, work instructions, and policies.
• Plan and conduct internal audits across all operational areas, assessing compliance with process standards.
• Act as a key point of contact for customer quality expectations, documentation, and compliance issues. Prepare and manage customer-required quality submissions.
• Ensure all manufacturing and inspection processes are properly documented and controlled. Lead control plan development and verification in cooperation with production and engineering. Oversee document control, traceability systems, and version management.
• Lead root-cause analysis and ensure robust corrective actions are implemented. Track effectiveness of corrective and preventive actions across the company.
• Support supplier assessments, audits, and incoming quality assurance programs. Monitor supplier performance and participate in decisions to approve, develop, or disqualify suppliers.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Quality Engineers, Customer Quality Officers, Certification Officers. Promote a culture of quality, accountability, and continuous improvement across all levels of the organisation.
• Develop and deliver training on quality processes, standards, and documentation requirements. Coordinate quality awareness initiatives to strengthen discipline and adherence to procedures.
• Track and analyse quality metrics (NCRs, audit results, customer complaints, scrap/rework trends). Prepare regular reports for leadership, highlighting risks, systemic issues, and improvement actions.

Background and experience

• Experience in quality management within Aerospace.
• Quality Management qualification or related field.
• Strong knowledge of QMS standards (AS 9100 Rev D, ISO 9001:2015, NADCAP, ISO/IEC 17025:2017 AS/EN9100).
• Ideally with experience of forging, machining, or metallurgical operations.
• Experience with auditing the above accreditation (internal or external), control plans, PPAP, and customer compliance.
• Proficiency in root cause analysis, statistical methods, and quality tools (SPC, MSA, PPAP, PFMEA, APQP).
• Excellent communications and leadership skills.

About Independent Forgings

Independent Forgings and Alloys (IFA) is one of Britain’s leading independent aerospace and industrial forgers. The unique feature about IFA is the combination of open and closed-die forging while also undertaking the whole production process from raw material to the finished product in one location. Operating from a 680 000 ft² facility in Sheffield, we manufacture high-integrity, open-die and closed-die forged components in nickel alloy, titanium, stainless steel and carbon alloys for customers and tier‑one suppliers within the aerospace, nuclear, power generation, marine as well as oil and gas sector.

Why work for us?

At IFA we pride ourselves on being a great place to work. As one of the UK’s leading forge manufacturing company we want to ensure that we attract, motivate and retain the best people who can deliver the best service to the company and our customers.

We offer you:

• 33 days holiday, including bank holidays.
• Pension scheme – IFA offers a 5% contribution.
• Working hours 8:15 am‑4:30 pm Monday to Thursday with a 4 pm finish on Friday.
• Bonus scheme – linked to team and company performance.
• Westfield cash plan – Level 1 health cash plan with discounts, gym discounts, and more.
• Wellhub – Access to various fitness apps and gyms in the local area.
• Free work wear and PPE.
• Development – Genuine development opportunities to progress your career.