Head of Quality

Head of Quality
Pershore
£60,000 - £70,000 DOE

SF recruitment are recruiting for a Head of Quality to join our established manufacturing client who are based in Pershore.

ROLE OVERVIEW:

The Head of Quality will be a customer and supplier facing role responsible for four manufacturing locations. The role will be involved in new product development through the business NPI process working closely with Sourcing, Engineering and Sales to ensure all customer expectations are understood and achieved. The position will manage a team that includes a Quality team in the UK as well as an SQE in China. The role will oversee existing quality functions and processes, supplier quality management and the business QMS. Supplier Development is critical and the Head of Quality will be expected to ensure suppliers are fully aware of the business expectations and are monitored effectively. The role has a global reach into our overseas facilities in China and India, where we are working towards implementing a global quality management system and standardising our approach to quality. The role will report into the Managing Director and is expected to support many areas of the business, from Production through to sourcing strategy. The role is based at our manufacturing site in Pershore with some international travel will be required.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

- Work with top level management to determine and implement long term quality assurance strategies that focus on reducing quality associated risks to the business and its customers
- Lead and manage the quality function from new product conception through to warranty analysis to ensure a proactive culture so that customers receive the product to their expectations and within agreed standards
- Maintain procedures and processes within an ISO9001 certified QMS, ensuring companywide compliance to UK, legal and customer specifications and standards
- Enforce consistent improvement across all sites (UK, China and India), implementing new quality processes and systems where appropriate whilst ensuring all sites adopt a standardised approach to plant quality controls and reporting.
- Representing the company in regards to quality from a customer facing perspective to ensure all customer expectations have been captured and plans are put in place to ensure these expectations are clearly communicated throughout relevant business departments, achieved on time and then continually monitored as required.
- Represent the business in front of our global supply base by working in both internal and external locations to add value to how we source, design, develop and manage the quality of parts in order to meet the demands of our customers.
- Ensure that we have clearly aligned standards with our suppliers and work to ensure these requirements are met. Monitor suppliers product and process controls within their manufacturing facilities so that parts are delivered on time, to quality requirements and consistently in line with our expectations.
- Provide leadership, mentoring, coaching and management whilst developing the quality team in the UK and Asia.
- Ensure that the function operates in accordance with any health, safety and environmental policies and procedures to ensure the safety and wellbeing of staff and visitors and any other organisational requirements



QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS:

Required
- A Degree in a technical discipline or similar qualification or experience
- Proven leadership of quality functions within the manufacturing industry including line management of a quality team.
- A strong knowledge in the manufacturing of steel fabrications, machining, primary & secondary manufacturing processes, testing and product qualification.
- Exceptional communication and influencing skills and experience of working closely with customers and suppliers on long term projects and new business opportunities.
- Strong technical reporting skills both internal and external of the business
- Ability to identify, implement and manage new and existing quality tools appropriate to the business and its suppliers including a developed understanding of continuous improvement activities.
- Advanced experience with ISO9001 management systems
- Practical experience of management of APQP / PPAP processes throughout the supply chain
- Flexibility for international travel on a regular basis

Advantageous
- Experience with ISO management systems 14001 and 45001
- QMS Lead auditor
- Experience of QMS implementation
- Experience in dealing with Far Eastern supply chain and travel in that region
- Proficient in the use of MS Office including MS Excel
- Experience of assessing customer specifications, making recommendations and implementing relevant quality requirements through the supply chain
- Experience in construction or agricultural machinery sectors