Head of Quality - Plymouth & South West

Experienced and qualified Head of Quality for a global manufacturing company based in Plymouth. Whilst this role is predominantly based in Plymouth, this position carries regional responsibility for other sites based in the South West so ad hoc trael will be required. Reporting to the regional Managing Director, the successful candidate will be required to ensure methods of control for all South West sites activities meet or exceed expectations of our customers and quality system approvals. To ensure that, through effective audit and communication, site/s activities are monitored and improved in line with world class expectations. To support the development and implementation of best practices in site processes

You will be Responsible for developing and maintaining the business policies, procedures, standards and systems for the Company and its supply chain in line with Quality system expectations of our customers and accreditations.

Managing and organising the accreditation and audit functions in support of all business system approvals. These include, but are not limited to, ISO9001, AS9100, IS45001 and ISO14001.

The successful candidate will be required to audit, regulate, control and improve the effectiveness of all processes throughout the business. To manage the audit program and ensure that all concerns raised at audit, either by internal auditors or by certification bodies are effectively corrected and verified. Liaising with staff, suppliers and customers so as to ensure product compliance.

You will be required to assist the management team to embed a culture of continuous improvement throughout the company

This is an exciting opportunity to join a manufacturing company at a time of sustained growth.

Key Responsibilities:

• Communicate and work with customers and regulatory visitors / assessors to ensure ongoing conformity and control
• Ensure customer communication systems e.g. scorecards, portals and reporting systems are maintained as required by customers
• To provide competent advice on Quality related activities. To carry out ‘deep dive’ investigations into all major quality concerns to determine root cause and corrective action
• To manage the Customer Quality Assurance, Quality Engineering functions within the site
• Define and justify departmental budget and monitor departmental spend
• Co-ordination of test and data support activities for customer’s product approvals (e.g IMDS, PPAP etc)
• Ensure that all business systems and procedures are updated, revised, modified and controlled to meet the needs of external customers, certification bodies or internal non-conformity
• Coach and develop staff to ensure a high performing quality system & team that meets agreed objectives and which delivers best practice results, adds value and facilitates continuous improvements.
• Provide technical expertise to the team, transferring skills and knowledge to the quality and wider management team
• Manage audit resources and activities for all on-site and supplier audits to maintain / improve product and process performance
• Ensure timely completion of staff appraisals, defining development plans and training requirements
• Analyse data and prepare reporting on quality performance on a weekly / monthly / as required basis
• Ensure employees within area of responsibility are adequately trained and developed
• Review and define requirements of customer, legislative and accreditation systems; ensuring updates of business systems and responsibilities
• Advise site management teams of changes within the business of customer or stakeholder expectations that impact on the operation
• Work as part of the EMEA and Global quality teams to share experiences and best-practice.

Essential Experience, Qualifications and Candidate Attributes Required:

• Minimum of five years working as Quality Manager or Head of Quality within manufacturing or Engineering Environments.
• Experience of managing ISO9001, ISO14001, AS9100 audits.
• Excellent IT skills, particularly Microsoft Excel and Word.
• High level of numeracy and analytical skills
• Full driving licence
• Lead Auditor Qualification (ideally, IATF16949, AS9100)

Beneficial Qualifications:

• IOSH: Managing Safely (Preferred) or/and NEBOSH General.

If you are a Senior Level Quality Professional, looking for a new challenge, then please submit an up to date CV by using the ‘apply’ button below.