Quality Manager

Recruitment Solutions (NW) Ltd; Rochdale; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Recruitment Solutions (NW) Ltd in Rochdale is seeking a hands-on Quality Manager to own the Quality function, drive ISO 9001 compliance, lead continuous improvement and partner with Operations and Engineering. You will manage non-conformances, audits, supplier quality and lead a team, with authority to quarantine production when quality risks arise.

Ideal candidate will have strong analytical skills and experience with FMEA, APQP, PPAP, and a track record of reducing scrap and cost of poor

Qualifications

• Experience as a Quality Manager or senior Quality role in manufacturing.
• Experience managing a QMS, ideally ISO 9001.
• Experience with root-cause analysis (8D, 5 Whys, NCR).
• Experience managing internal and external audits.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and quality-control techniques.
• Experience managing and developing people.
• Ability to balance quality requirements with operational priorities.
• Lead Auditor, CQI or Lean Six Sigma qualifications advantageous.
• Knowledge of SPC, MSA, FMEA, APQP and PPAP advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of the company's Quality Management System (QMS) and ensure ongoing ISO 9001 compliance and customer requirements.
• Lead the Quality function and develop a strong quality culture across the business.
• Manage non-conformances, customer complaints and corrective actions with root-cause analysis.
• Lead internal, customer and certification audits.
• Monitor and improve key quality measures such as scrap, rework, defects and Right First Time.
• Collaborate with Operations and Engineering to identify and reduce recurring quality issues.
• Manage supplier quality, including supplier non-conformances and corrective actions.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to reduce waste and cost of poor quality.
• Support new product and process introduction including FMEA, Control Plans, APQP and PPAP.

Skills

Quality management

Root cause analysis

Audits

Problem solving

Leadership

Communication

Quality systems

Job description

If you're looking for a hands-on, challenging and rewarding Quality Manager role where you can make a real difference, this could be the opportunity for you. You'll take ownership of the Quality function, driving standards, resolving quality issues and leading continuous improvement across the business.

Quality Manager - Responsibilities:

• Take ownership of the company's Quality Management System (QMS) and ensure ongoing compliance with ISO 9001 and customer requirements.
• Lead the Quality function, developing a strong quality culture across the business.
• Manage non-conformances, customer complaints and corrective actions, ensuring effective root-cause analysis and sustainable solutions.
• Lead internal, customer and certification audits.
• Monitor and improve key quality measures including scrap, rework, defects, customer complaints and Right First Time.
• Work closely with Operations and Engineering to identify and reduce recurring quality issues.
• Manage supplier quality, including supplier non-conformances and corrective actions.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to reduce waste, defects and cost of poor quality.
• Support new product and process introduction, including FMEA, Control Plans, APQP and PPAP where applicable.
• Ensure inspection, testing, calibration and quality-control processes are effectively managed.
• Provide quality performance reporting and recommendations to senior management.
• Lead, develop and coach the Quality team.
• Have the authority to quarantine or stop production where significant quality risks are identified.

Quality Manager - Person Specification:

• Proven experience in a Quality Manager or senior Quality role within a manufacturing environment.
• Strong experience managing a QMS, ideally to ISO 9001.
• Experienced in root-cause analysis, 8D, 5 Whys, NCR and corrective action.
• Experience managing internal and external audits.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and quality-control techniques.
• Experience managing and developing people.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and communication skills.
• Commercially aware and able to balance quality requirements with operational priorities.
• Confident working with senior management, customers, suppliers and shop-floor teams.
• Practical and proactive, with the confidence to challenge where quality standards or customer requirements may be compromised.
• Lead Auditor, CQI or Lean Six Sigma qualifications would be advantageous.
• Knowledge of SPC, MSA, FMEA, APQP and PPAP would be advantageous.