Quality Manager

Horsham, Sussex
Mane Contract Services

An experienced and influential Quality Manager is required to lead and enhance the company’s Quality Management System (QMS) across multiple UK sites. The role focuses on ISO 9001:2025 compliance, customer assurance, supplier quality, and driving a strong quality culture within a defence manufacturing environment.

You will own the quality strategy, lead a team of 10 across 3 sites, and ensure products meet stringent regulatory, contractual, and customer standards.

Core Responsibilities

• Lead and optimise the Quality Management System (BS EN ISO 9001:2025 compliant)
• Develop customer-focused Quality Management Plans
• Oversee QA & QC activities across full product lifecycle
• Manage NCRs, root cause analysis, corrective & preventive actions
• Drive supplier quality performance & resolve non-conformances
• Enforce configuration control, product identification & traceability
• Lead internal audit programme & supplier assessments
• Review customer contracts to ensure quality obligations are met
• Conduct fault analysis & produce RMA reports
• Approve finished goods & sign off Certificates of Conformance (CoC)
• Represent the company during formal customer acceptance testing
• Direct management of Quality team ( 10 people, 3 sites)

Essential Experience & Skills

• Senior-level Quality Management experience within complex engineering/manufacturing
• Strong working knowledge of ISO 9001:2025 (implementation & transition experience essential)
• Background in regulated sectors (Defence, Aerospace, Automotive preferred)
• Engineering degree or equivalent technical qualification (desirable but strongly preferred)
• Proven experience in risk-based quality management and lifecycle processes
• Strong leadership, stakeholder management & supplier engagement capability
• Excellent communication skills – customer-facing & internal influence

Quality Methods & Tools (Required Capability)

Core Methodologies

• PDCA
• Root Cause Analysis (5 Whys, Fishbone)
• Lean Principles
• Six Sigma (DMAIC)
• Risk-Based Thinking (ISO 9001 aligned)

Quality Tools

• FMEA (Design & Process)
• 8D Problem Solving
• Process Capability (Cp/Cpk)
• SIPOC Mapping
• Configuration Management
• First Article Inspection (AS9102)
• Special Process Control (welding, heat treatment, surface finishing)
• Supplier Quality Assurance (including traceability & export control)

Personal Profile

• Strategic, disciplined, and detail-focused
• Strong independent decision-maker
• Resilient in high-pressure environments
• Drives accountability and “right first time” culture
• Demonstrates teamwork, integrity, excellence & courage

Working Pattern & Benefits

Work-Life Balance
37.5 hour week
Early finish Fridays
Hybrid/flexible working
28 days holiday + Christmas closure
Holiday purchase scheme

Benefits Package
5% matched pension
Income protection
Life assurance
Employee Assistance Programme (GP, mental health, physio, second opinion)
Share incentive & SAYE scheme
EV salary sacrifice scheme
Health Cash Plan
Wellbeing initiatives & sports/social activities
L&D opportunities
Referral bonus scheme