Quality Manager

Nicholas Associates Group Limited; South Yorkshire; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare and benefits scheme

Death in Service life insurance

Cycle to Work Scheme

Employee referral scheme

Subsidised refreshments

Excellent working conditions

Job summary

Nicholas Associates Group Limited in South Yorkshire invites an experienced Quality Manager to lead a growing manufacturing operation, driving prevention and continuous improvement. You will coach a team of Quality Engineers and Technicians, work with Production, Engineering, Design and Procurement, and use data to identify root causes and deliver measurable quality gains.

This hands-on leadership role offers a competitive salary, a 40-hour week, and a benefits package including pension,

Qualifications

• Relevant quality, engineering or technical qualification at Level 4 or above, or equivalent experience.
• Proven experience leading a quality function within engineering or manufacturing.
• Experience in automotive, aerospace or other technically demanding environments.
• Strong knowledge of Lean, Kaizen and Six Sigma.
• Experience with 8D, root cause analysis and structured problem solving.
• Good understanding of PFMEA and DFMEA.
• Knowledge of APQP, PPAP and DMAIC.
• Experience using SPC, CpK/PpK and statistical techniques to improve process performance.
• Experience developing and managing supplier quality.
• Strong understanding of ISO 9001 and internal auditing.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach and develop the Quality Engineering and Technician teams.
• Drive a right-first-time, no-fault-forward culture.
• Lead root cause investigations using 8D and structured problem solving.
• Maintain and improve the ISO 9001 QMS and internal audit programme.
• Develop inspection, measurement, calibration and QA processes.
• Use SPC and statistical analysis to identify trends and drive improvements.
• Develop supplier quality through auditing and corrective action.
• Embed quality in APQP, PPAP and NPI activity.
• Manage customer quality concerns with containment and permanent corrective actions.
• Establish and report meaningful quality KPIs for decision making.

Skills

Quality leadership

ISO 9001

Root cause analysis

8D problem solving

APQP/PPAP knowledge

SPC & process capability

Supplier quality

Coaching & mentoring

Data-driven decisions

Education

Quality/Engineering qualification Level 4+

Tools

MRP systems

Job description

Quality Manager

Location: South Yorkshire

Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience

Hours: 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday

Permanent | Full-Time

Quality Manager - Drive Standards. Develop People. Deliver Excellence.

Nicholas Associates are pleased to be partnering with a highly successful engineering and manufacturing business in the appointment of a Quality Manager.

This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced Quality professional to take the lead on quality performance across a growing manufacturing operation, with real scope to influence processes, develop people and drive lasting improvement.

You will lead a team of Quality Engineers and Technicians, working closely with Production, Engineering, Design and Procurement to ensure quality is built into the process from the outset.

The focus is firmly on prevention. You'll be expected to challenge the status quo, use data to understand performance and ensure problems are properly solved rather than repeatedly contained.

The Role

You'll take ownership of the Quality function, ensuring robust systems, standards and processes are in place and consistently followed.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Leading, coaching and developing the Quality Engineering and Technician teams.
• Driving a strong right-first-time and no-fault-forward culture.
• Leading root cause investigations and corrective actions using 8D, Practical Problem Solving and other structured methodologies.
• Maintaining and improving the ISO 9001 Quality Management System and internal audit programme.
• Developing effective inspection, measurement, calibration and quality assurance processes.
• Using SPC, process capability and statistical analysis to identify trends and drive improvement.
• Developing supplier quality through auditing, performance management and corrective action.
• Ensuring Quality is embedded within APQP, PPAP and new product introduction activity.
• Managing customer quality concerns through robust containment, investigation and permanent preventative action.
• Establishing and reporting meaningful quality KPIs to support operational decision making.

What were looking for?

We're looking for an established Quality Manager or senior Quality professional who can combine strong technical knowledge with confident people leadership.

Ideally, you'll have:

• A relevant Quality, Engineering or technical qualification at Level 4 or above, or equivalent experience.
• Proven experience leading a Quality function within an engineering or manufacturing environment.
• Experience within automotive, aerospace or another technically demanding manufacturing environment.
• Strong knowledge of Lean, Kaizen and Six Sigma methodologies.
• Practical experience of 8D, root cause analysis and structured problem solving.
• Good understanding of PFMEA and DFMEA.
• Knowledge of APQP, PPAP and DMAIC.
• Experience using SPC, Cpk/Ppk and statistical techniques to improve process performance.
• Experience developing and managing supplier quality.
• Strong understanding of ISO 9001 and internal auditing.
• Experience working with MRP or manufacturing systems would be advantageous.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the confidence to influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Strong coaching and people-management skills, with a genuine desire to develop others.
• A proactive, analytical and commercially minded approach to quality and continuous improvement.

Most importantly, you'll be a hands‑on and credible leader who can challenge constructively, bring people with you and turn quality improvement plans into measurable results.

What's in It for You?

In return, you'll join a successful and forward-thinking engineering business where you will have genuine influence over the future direction of the Quality function.

The package includes:

• Competitive salary.
• Annual business performance bonus.
• 25 days' annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing with service.
• 5% contributory pension.
• Healthcare and benefits scheme.
• Death in Service life insurance.
• Cycle to Work Scheme.
• Employee referral scheme.
• Subsidised refreshments.
• Excellent working conditions within a modern manufacturing environment.

Working Hours

Monday to Thursday: 07:30 - 16:30

Friday: 07:30 - 13:30

40 hours per week.

Ready to Make a Difference?

If you're looking for a Quality leadership role where you can make a genuine impact, develop a team and help shape a culture of continuous improvement, we'd like to hear from you.

About Us

We are dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive community. In line with our Diversity and Inclusion policy, we welcome applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability. As a Disability Confident Employer, and part of the Nicholas Associates Group, we are committed to supporting candidates with disabilities, and we're happy to discuss flexible working options.

We are committed to protecting the privacy of all our candidates and clients. If you choose to apply, your information will be processed in accordance with the Nicholas Associates Group of companies Privacy Notice.