Head of Quality

Location: North West England

Salary: Circa £60,000 (Dependent on Experience)

Job Type: Permanent, Full-Time

About the Company:

We are a leading manufacturer in our field, committed to excellence and innovation. Our success is built on a foundation of high-quality products and a dedication to continuous improvement. We are now seeking a dynamic Head of Quality to lead our quality assurance and control functions and drive our quality standards to new heights.

About the Role:

This is a pivotal leadership role responsible for safeguarding the quality and integrity of our products from raw materials to finished goods. You will lead a team of quality professionals, championing a culture of excellence and ensuring our manufacturing processes consistently meet the highest standards. This is a hands-on, hybrid role split between strategic quality assurance and the tactical management of the quality control team.

Please note: This role focuses on product and process quality; responsibility for the Quality Management System (QMS) itself sits within a separate function.

Key Responsibilities:

• Quality Assurance & Continuous Improvement: Monitor, audit, and verify manufacturing processes to ensure strict adherence to established quality standards, specifications, and SOPs.
• Identify process gaps, lead root cause analysis investigations, and implement effective corrective and preventative actions (CAPA).
• Develop, maintain, and improve key quality documentation, including inspection protocols, test plans, and quality performance reports.
• Drive a culture of Continuous Improvement (CI) to reduce waste, enhance efficiency, and improve product consistency.
• Conduct supplier quality evaluations and support the assessment of incoming raw materials.
• Train and coach operational staff on quality standards, best practices, and their role in maintaining quality.

• Quality Control & Team Leadership: Lead, mentor, and develop the Quality Control team, fostering a high-performance culture focused on accuracy and diligence.
• Schedule and coordinate daily QC activities to efficiently support production schedules and meet critical deadlines.
• Oversee the calibration, maintenance, and proper use of all laboratory and testing equipment.
• Review and approve inspection data, non-conformance reports (NCRs), and product release documentation.
• Champion the transition of in-line process control checks to Production operatives, providing support and guidance throughout.
• Develop and embed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Batch Manufacturing Records (BMRs).
• Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate effectively with Production, Engineering, Supply Chain, and R&D departments to resolve quality issues and align quality initiatives with broader business objectives.
• Monitor and report on key quality metrics (KPIs) to senior management, providing data-driven insights and recommendations.

Key Requirements:

• Proven experience in a senior QA/QC leadership role within a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Strong technical knowledge of QA/QC methodologies, statistical process control, and root cause analysis tools (e.g., 5 Whys, Fishbone).
• Demonstrable experience in leading, motivating, and developing a team.
• Working knowledge of relevant regulatory frameworks and standards (e.g., GMP, ISO 9001).
• Excellent problem-solving, decision-making, and analytical skills.
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
• A proactive, hands-on approach with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a pressurised environment.