Quality Manager

Gpw Recruitment; Knowsley; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 94,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-site gym

25 days holiday

Pension scheme

Cycle to work

Ford Privilege discount

Job summary

Ford Halewood Transmissions Ltd seeks a highly experienced Quality Manager to join the Leadership Team at Halewood, leading a diverse department and driving quality excellence across the plant.

You will champion problem-solving methodologies, manage budgets, and integrate corporate quality processes while supporting Lean manufacturing initiatives and a strong safety culture.

Qualifications

• Degree qualified in Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality or a related discipline.
• Significant automotive manufacturing experience in a quality/leadership role.
• Experience leading diverse technical teams and managing change.
• Strong understanding of quality management systems and auditing.
• Proven track record of sustainable improvements via structured problem solving.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop all areas of the Quality Department, including Quality Engineering and laboratories.
• Champion structured problem solving (8D, Six Sigma, 5 Why) and data-driven culture.
• Act as Management Representative for the Quality Management System and audits.
• Drive integration of plant into global quality processes and Lean initiatives.
• Develop and execute labour and skills strategies and manage budgets/costs.
• Promote safety, diversity and inclusion, and high-performance culture.

Skills

Leadership

Quality management

Problem solving

Communication

Stakeholder management

Data-driven decisions

Education

Degree in Engineering/Quality/Manufacturing

Job description

Reference number: 51813

Job title: Quality Manager

Salary: £82,025.12 + great benefits and pension

Location: Halewood

Duration: Permanent

Start date: ASAP

GPW Recruitment are partnering with Ford Halewood Transmissions Ltd (FHTL) in Halewood to recruit a Quality Manager to work in their existing site during a huge transformation.

Ford have invested £380m to transform the site into an electric drive manufacturing plant was the first Ford site to manufacture EV components in Europe, commencing in 2024 with a capacity of 420,000 units.

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Quality Manager to join the Leadership Team. This is an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact within FHTL's Quality function and contribute to a growing organisation. The successful candidate will lead a diverse and technically skilled department, driving quality excellence across the plant and supporting the integration of corporate systems and initiatives.

Salary

£82,025.12 plus 33 days holiday (25 vacation and 8 bank holidays)

FHTL Employment Benefits

• Free on-site gym facility inclusive of a sauna & steam room (outside of working hours).
• Employee assistance programmes: weekly appointments available for all employees to utilise for free such as massages, circuit classes, nutrition advise, yoga, chiropody, reiki and head massages (outside of working hours).
• An on-site physiotherapy and occupational health department is available to employees to support their health and well-being.
• Competitive pension scheme (company pays 1.5 times the amount of the employee contributions paying up to 12%)
• £750 annual attendance bonus (subject to company T&C's).
• Access Ford's Privilege scheme - allowing you to purchase Ford vehicles at a discount
• An excellent work-life balance, including a generous holiday allowance of 25 days (inclusive of set shutdown dates)
• Cycle to Work Scheme

Working hours

Monday to Thursday 7:00-15:30 and Friday 7:00-12:30

Duration - Permanent

Duration - Permanent

The role

FHTL are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Quality Manager to join the Leadership Team. This is an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact within FHTL's Quality function and contribute to a growing organisation. The successful candidate will lead a diverse and technically skilled department, driving quality excellence across the plant and supporting the integration of corporate systems and initiatives.

Quality Manager

Tasks

Please note, the below listing is not exhaustive, and the tasks listed do not include a full description of all essential and non-essential responsibilities. The successful candidate will be expected to demonstrate flexibility, adaptability and leadership in supporting the ongoing development of the plant

To be a role model for Ford+ behaviours and requirements.

• Lead and develop all areas of the Quality Department, including;
• Quality Engineering
• Quality Evaluation Garage
• Metrology Laboratory
• Metallurgy Laboratory
• Contamination Laboratory
• Champion structured Problem Solving Methodologies across the organisation, including 8D, Six Sigma and 5 Why, embedding a data-driven, root-cause culture.
• Act as Management Representative for the Quality Management System and Internal Audit processes, ensuring compliance with ISO9001 and other applicable standards.
• Drive integration of the plant into global and corporate quality processes and systems.
• Act as the Quality lead for Lean Manufacturing, championing continuous improvement activities including Kaizens, PSTs and workplace organisation initiatives.
• Develop and execute labour and skills strategies to ensure organisational versatility, succession planning and future capability.
• Manage departmental budgets, operating costs and headcount, delivering year-on-year efficiency improvements aligned to business targets.
• Foster a culture of empowerment, accountability and high performance across all levels of the organisation.
• Promote a safety-first culture and support the achievement of Zero Accident objectives through proactive risk management and employee engagement.
• Champion Diversity, Equity and Inclusion principles, creating an environment where all employees can contribute and thrive.
• Ensure effective management of departmental resources, including labour, tooling, equipment and consumables.
• Lead training and development activities to strengthen organisational capability and improve flexibility across all areas.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders across all levels of the organisation, including Trade Union representatives.
• Drive talent development, succession planning and bench‑strength activities to support long‑term organisational success.
• Lead the department towards best‑in‑class performance within the Quality elements of the Lean Maturity Model.

Criteria

• Quality Performance - Achievement of plant quality targets and customer satisfaction objectives
• Problem Solving Excellence - Reduction in recurring quality concerns through effective root cause elimination
• Quality Management System - Successful internal and external audit performance with minimal non-conformances
• Safety Leadership - Continuous improvement in safety performance and risk reduction
• People Development - Achievement of versatility targets, succession planning objectives and skills matrix maturity
• Cost Performance - Delivery of year-on-year efficiency improvements across departmental expenditureContinuous Improvement - Measurable gains in process capability, waste reduction and operational effectiveness
• Data-Driven Decision Making - Increased utilisation of data analytics to identify improvement opportunities and drive sustainable results

Qualifications and Experience required

Essential

• Degree qualified in Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality or a related discipline.
• Applicants who do not currently hold a degree, but who can demonstrate significant relevant experience and leadership capability, will be considered on an exceptional basis. Successful candidates may be required to undertake further academic development.
• Significant experience in an automotive manufacturing environment in a quality, engineering or operational leadership role.
• Demonstrated experience leading diverse technical teams and managing organisational change.
• Strong understanding of quality management systems, auditing practices and compliance requirements.
• Proven track record of delivering sustainable improvements through structured problem‑solving methodologies.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management and leadership skills.

Desirable

• Six Sigma Black Belt qualification, or equivalent experience in advanced problem‑solving and statistical methods.
• Experience of laboratory operations, metrology systems and measurement technologies.
• Knowledge of Measurement System Analysis (MSA), Gauge R&R and calibration systems.
• Experience implementing Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement methodologies.
• Previous experience operating as a Quality Management Representative or equivalent leadership role within a certified quality system.

About Ford

Ford Motor Company is a global automotive industry leader that manufactures or distributes vehicles across six continents. With over 200,000 employees and 65 plants worldwide, the UK employ over 13,000 individuals.

The ONE Ford plan is transforming the business to align the global organisation into an integrated team to accelerate. This is by focusing on the creation of vehicles revising the customers true demands, reduction of costs, to introduce exciting new technology, enhance quality and improve efficiency.

About Ford Halewood Transmission Limited

Ford Halewood Transmission Limited (FHTL) develops and manufactures transmissions with an employee workforce of circa 750 people. The Plant has a proud 60-year history as a local employer and are dedicated to manufacturing high quality products. Ford are currently investing at the facility to transform it to build electric power units for future Ford all-electric passenger and commercial vehicles.

Future Prospects

The business invests significantly in its employee development.

FHTL supports the onward development and growth of all personnel and has a track record of promoting from within based on performance and achievement.

Proposed start date

ASAP - Based on personal availability.

The Company is committed to diversity and equality of opportunity for all and is opposed to any form of less favourable treatment or harassment on the grounds of race, religion or belief, sex, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment or disability. This vacancy is advertised in line with the FORD equal opportunities policy.

This vacancy is advertised in line with the Ford Halewood Transmissions Ltd equal opportunities policy.

Additional Information

Candidates must supply a copy of certificates relating to relevant qualifications along with their application form.

Unique Factors

Halewood is undergoing a major transformation of Product, People, Equipment and Processes a collaborative approach is essential to ensure continued ICE products and new Power Unit are integrated successfully.