Quality Manager

Recreo Global; Wakefield; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Hartwell Manufacturing, Ossett, West Yorkshire, is seeking an experienced Quality Manager to lead the quality function across the business. The role focuses on building quality into processes and working closely with production teams to prevent issues on the shopfloor.

You will oversee audits, develop systems and report quality trends to senior management. A hands-on, client-facing leader with a passion for workmanship is essential.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years in quality, ideally in a senior or management role.
• Experience in steel fabrication, heavy engineering or similar fabrication environment.
• Passion for quality and workmanship, not just processes.
• Strong understanding of fabrication quality standards, inspection processes and QMS.
• Experience with ISO 9001 and root cause analysis.
• Experience leading or developing quality personnel.
• Strong analytical, communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Hands-on, shopfloor-focused approach.
• Client-facing experience managing quality discussions, queries, complaints and expectations.
• Experience of continuous improvement in manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor and develop the Quality team, creating a culture of accountability and high standards.
• Take ownership of quality standards across fabrication and manufacturing operation.
• Develop and continually improve quality systems, procedures and controls.
• Oversee audits, inspections, non-conformances and corrective actions.
• Lead root cause investigations and work with production teams to prevent repeats.
• Maintain the Quality Management System, including ISO 9001 requirements.
• Analyse quality data and trends, producing reporting for senior management.
• Act as a key contact for customers on quality-related matters.
• Work with production, engineering and commercial teams to resolve quality concerns and drive improvements.
• Ensure quality documentation and certification remain accurate.

Skills

Quality experience

Steel fabrication

Quality mindset

Quality standards

ISO 9001

Root cause analysis

Team leadership

Analytical skills

Communication

Stakeholder management

Hands-on

Client-facing

Continuous improvement

Tools

Quality control software

Job description

Quality Manager

Hartwell Manufacturing - Ossett, West Yorkshire

About Hartwell

Hartwell Manufacturing is a family-run engineering business with nearly 50 years of experience delivering high-quality acoustic enclosures and heavy steel fabrication projects. From our Ossett headquarters, we support clients in the power, data centre and industrial sectors with engineered solutions built on precision, collaboration and reliability. The culture is hands-on, team-focused and proud of the work we produce.

The Role

Due to continued growth, we are looking to appoint an experienced Quality Manager to lead and develop the quality function across the business. For us, quality is about much more than systems, statistics and compliance. We are looking for someone who genuinely cares about workmanship, standards and the quality of the finished product. Someone who is comfortable being visible on the shopfloor, challenging where necessary and working closely with production teams to make sure quality is built into the process rather than inspected in at the end. Previous fabrication experience is essential for this role.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor and develop the Quality team, creating a culture of accountability and high standards.
• Take ownership of quality standards across the fabrication and manufacturing operation.
• Develop and continually improve quality systems, procedures and controls.
• Oversee audits, inspections, non-conformances and corrective actions.
• Lead root cause investigations and work with production teams to prevent repeat issues.
• Maintain and develop the Quality Management System, including ISO 9001 requirements.
• Analyse quality data and trends, producing clear reporting and recommendations for senior management.
• Act as a key point of contact for customers on quality-related matters, including visits, inspections and technical discussions.
• Work closely with production, engineering and commercial teams to resolve quality concerns and drive practical continuous improvement.
• Ensure quality documentation, records and certification remain accurate and up to date.

What We Are Looking For

• A minimum of 5 years' experience within quality, ideally in a senior or management position.
• Strong experience within steel fabrication, heavy engineering or a similar fabrication environment.
• A genuine passion for product quality and workmanship, not simply processes, KPIs and statistics.
• Strong understanding of fabrication quality standards, inspection processes and Quality Management Systems.
• Experience with ISO 9001 and root cause analysis.
• Previous experience leading or developing quality personnel.
• Strong analytical, communication and stakeholder management skills.
• A confident, practical and hands-on approach with a willingness to spend time on the shopfloor.
• Previous client-facing experience is essential, including managing quality discussions, technical queries, complaints and customer expectations.
• Experience of continuous improvement within a manufacturing environment.

Desirable Experience

• Health and safety exposure within steel manufacturing or heavy engineering.
• Experience using quality control software or data management systems.
• Project management experience.
• Experience supporting customer audits or external certification activity.

Why Hartwell?

This is an opportunity to join an established and growing engineering business where quality has a genuine influence on operational performance and customer relationships. You will have the opportunity to shape the quality function, develop the team and work directly with senior management to drive standards across the business. If you are passionate about manufacturing quality, understand fabrication and want a role where you can make a visible difference on the shopfloor and with customers, we would be interested in hearing from you