Quality Manager

An established manufacturing business with sites in Mid Kent and East Kent is seeking a Quality Manager to take ownership of quality performance across two manufacturing operations in East and Mid Kent.

This position could suit an established Quality Manager or an experienced Senior Quality Engineer, Quality Team Leader or Quality Supervisor who is ready to progress into a broader management role.

It is a hands-on leadership opportunity with responsibility for building a consistent quality culture across both sites. You will lead quality improvement, strengthen processes, develop the quality team and manage ISO Standards across both sites.

This is a multi-site position, and regular travel between both East and Mid Kent manufacturing locations will be required.

The Quality Manager Role

As Quality Manager, you will hold overall responsibility for quality standards, performance and reporting across both manufacturing sites.

You will work in close partnership with operational and technical teams to address existing quality challenges, improve manufacturing capability and ensure products consistently meet customer expectations.

You will establish clear standards, introduce effective measures and encourage teams across both sites to take greater ownership of quality performance and continuous improvement.

The role provides the opportunity to make a visible impact across the business while developing your leadership and management experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Take overall responsibility for quality performance across two manufacturing sites in East and Mid Kent.
• Establish consistent quality standards (ISO), processes, metrics and reporting across both operations.
• Develop and improve quality measures relating to scrap, warranty costs and the cost of poor quality.
• Identify quality trends and use performance data to prioritise improvement activities.
• Lead structured problem-solving workshops using methodologies such as Six Sigma, 8D, 5 Whys, process flow analysis and cause-and-effect analysis.
• Provide daily guidance, support and leadership to Quality Engineers and Inspectors.
• Support the quality team with metrology, inspection techniques and effective quality controls.
• Coach and develop internal auditors, providing additional guidance when required.
• Champion a culture of continuous improvement across both manufacturing locations.
• Set clear quality improvement objectives and encourage accountability throughout the business.
• Lead and develop the supplier quality audit programme.
• Maintain compliance with relevant ISO standards and site quality requirements.
• Own and improve the non-conformance reporting process.
• Ensure root causes are properly identified and corrective actions deliver sustainable improvements.

About You

You will be a quality professional with experience gained within a manufacturing or engineering environment.

You may already be working as a Quality Manager. Alternatively, you could be an experienced Senior Quality Engineer, Quality Team Leader or Quality Supervisor.

For someone making their first move into management, this is an opportunity to build on your technical expertise and take wider responsibility for people, processes, performance and quality strategy.

A collaborative leadership style will be important, but you must also be comfortable making decisions, holding people accountable and ensuring agreed actions are completed.

Essential Experience and Qualifications

• Quality experience gained within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience of supervising, coaching, mentoring or providing technical leadership to others.
• A strong understanding of quality systems, auditing and continuous improvement.
• Practical experience of leading root-cause investigations and implementing corrective actions.
• Experience of using structured problem-solving tools such as 8D, 5 Whys or cause-and-effect analysis.
• The ability to interpret quality data and translate findings into practical improvement plans.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
• The flexibility to travel regularly between two manufacturing sites in East and Mid Kent.

Desirable Experience

Experience in one or more of the following areas would be advantageous:

• Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt training.
• Lean Manufacturing.
• 5S workplace organisation.
• Value Stream Mapping.
• Fishbone analysis.
• Statistical Process Control.
• Failure Mode and Effects Analysis.
• Control Plans.
• Production Part Approval Processes.
• Supplier quality development and supplier auditing.
• Manufacturing metrology and inspection techniques.
• Membership of a recognised professional or quality institution.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

• Take ownership of quality across two established manufacturing operations.
• Join a role with visibility and influence throughout the business.
• Shape quality processes, standards and continuous improvement activities.
• Work closely with experienced Engineering, Operations, Procurement and Design teams.
• Develop and support a team of quality professionals.
• Lead structured improvement projects with measurable business impact.
• Progress from a senior or team leadership position into broader quality management.

Location

This is a multi-site position covering manufacturing operations in East and Mid Kent.

The successful candidate will divide their time between both locations. Regular travel is therefore an essential part of the role.

Further information about the precise locations will be provided to suitable candidates during the recruitment process.

Car or Car Allowance, plus travel costs to second site provided.

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