Quality Manager

Theo James Recruitment; Stanley; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits package

Job summary

Theo James Recruitment is seeking a Quality Manager in Durham to lead the quality function, own the Integrated Management System, and ensure products meet customer, regulatory, and ISO standards. Reporting to the Operations Director, you will stop quality risk, coach the team and drive a proactive quality culture.

You will oversee internal/external audits, KPI reporting, and cross-functional improvements across sites while maintaining hands-on leadership and a focus on continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a Quality leadership role within a manufacturing, fabrication or engineering environment.
• Strong working knowledge of ISO 9001, 14001 and 45001, owning or maintaining an Integrated Management System.
• Experience leading internal and external audits and managing corrective actions through to completion.
• Experience developing and managing a team, including performance management and capability development.
• Strong problem-solving skills, including root cause analysis and CAPA.
• Awareness of APQP, PPAP, FMEA and First Article Inspection processes.
• Ability to influence stakeholders and drive a quality-first culture.
• Ideally educated to HNC, HND or Degree level in Quality Management, Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline.
• Audit training qualification; Lead Auditor desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead, develop and manage the Quality team, building capability through coaching and performance management.
• Own and continually improve the Integrated Management System (ISO 9001/14001/45001).
• Lead external audits, surveillance visits and re-certification activity.
• Develop and manage the internal audit programme with actioning findings.
• Monitor and report quality KPIs to drive improvements.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to resolve quality issues and drive actions.
• Support leadership in shaping wider business strategy with risk considerations.
• Oversee calibration and maintenance of quality equipment and product inspections.

Skills

Leadership

ISO 9001

ISO 14001

ISO 45001

Audits

CAPA / Root Cause

APQP / PPAP / FMEA

Stakeholder Management

Quality Systems

Education

Quality Degree

Job description

Quality Manager

Job Title: Quality Manager

Location: Durham, DH8

Salary: Circa £60,000 - £65,000 per annum

Benefits:

• Competitive benefits package

The Company

Our client is a well-established and growing manufacturing and engineering business operating across multiple sites in the North East of England. They are part of a larger group and operate in a fast-paced, operationally driven environment, delivering precision-engineered products to a diverse customer base. With a strong focus on continuous improvement, quality, and sustainable performance, this business is investing in its people and processes to build for the future. The Quality Manager will play a central role in shaping that journey.

Job Description

As Quality Manager, you will lead the Quality function across the business, taking full ownership of the Integrated Management System and ensuring products, processes and management systems meet customer requirements, regulatory expectations and ISO standards. Reporting to the Operations Director, the Quality Manager holds the authority to stop any activity where a quality risk is identified.

This is a hands-on leadership role joining a developing team. The Quality Manager will be expected to set clear standards, coach and develop team members, manage performance constructively, and drive a proactive quality culture across all sites.

Key responsibilities include:

• Lead, develop and manage the Quality team, building capability and setting clear expectations through coaching, feedback and performance management.
• Own, maintain and continually improve the Integrated Management System, ensuring compliance with ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001.
• Act as primary contact for certification bodies; lead external audits, surveillance visits and re-certification activity.
• Develop and manage the annual internal audit programme, ensuring findings are actioned and improvements embedded.
• Develop, monitor and report on quality KPIs and performance data, using trends and insight to drive improvement.
• Work cross-functionally with production, engineering, supply chain and commercial teams to resolve quality issues, identify root cause and implement corrective and preventative actions.
• Support the Senior Leadership Team, contributing to wider business strategy and ensuring quality risks are considered in key decisions.
• Oversee calibration and maintenance of quality equipment and ensure products are inspected in line with customer specifications and regulatory requirements.

Skills & Experience

To be considered for the Quality Manager opportunity, you will need:

• Proven experience in a Quality leadership role within a manufacturing, fabrication or engineering environment.
• Strong working knowledge of ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001, with experience of owning or maintaining an Integrated Management System.
• Experience leading internal and external audits and managing corrective actions through to completion.
• Demonstrable experience developing and managing a team, including performance management and capability development.
• Strong problem-solving skills, including root cause analysis and CAPA methodology.
• Awareness of APQP, PPAP, FMEA and First Article Inspection processes.
• Ability to influence stakeholders, build strong relationships and drive a quality-first culture.
• Ideally educated to HNC, HND or Degree level in Quality Management, Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline.
• Audit training qualification; Lead Auditor desirable.

Why Should You Apply?

This is a genuine opportunity for an experienced Quality Manager to make a real and lasting impact. You will join a business that is investing in quality and continuous improvement, with the scope to shape how the function operates and develops. The Quality Manager role offers a competitive salary of circa £60,000 - £65,000, clear senior visibility through a direct report to the Operations Director, and the chance to influence wider business strategy as part of the Senior Leadership Team.

If you are a proactive, commercially aware Quality Manager who thrives in an operational environment and is ready to take ownership of a key function, we would love to hear from you