Quality Assurance Manager

Quality Assurance Manager

Reporting to: Head of Technical

Who are we?

As a vital part of the hugely successful and privately owned Group, we are responsible for the design, product development and manufacturing supply chain management of flooring products to its global customers via Asia based outsourced manufacturing partners. Headquartered in Worcestershire and supported by a Taiwan Branch team, you will be joining a team full of passionate and supportive people excited about the business and how it is evolving to meet the demands of the future.

Role Summary

This new role carries overall responsibility for product quality. This person would be the face of Quality and will interact with staff involved in every aspect of quality assurance within the group and with manufacturing partners. Communication with senior personnel within our customer organization, will be a key part. The objective of the role would not only be to lead the quality function, but also to actively identify, promote and implement initiatives to improve all aspects of quality, going well beyond complaints resolution. The scope would cover initial product development all the way through to any claims arising from the end user and corrective action. This role is not based at a manufacturing location, nor will it involve regular exposure to manufacturing environments. The ability to influence our OEM supplier factories is essential, therefore.

The ability to work both hands on within the team, as well as leading the team from the front are essential features of the role. It will be based primarily on site in Evesham, with limited remote/home working anticipated. It is expected that the candidate would need to be based in the local area/commutable to it. Some international travel including long haul, would be necessary. Travel within the UK could also be anticipated. This role will work collaboratively in a matrix structure: -supported locally by 2 colleagues in the claims team in UK and remotely by QA colleagues in our Far Eastern office.

This role would ideally suit a candidate (with experience of QA in a manufacturing environment) who is seeking their first promotion into QA management or who has had initial experience within such a role and is looking for progression to the next stage. In each case, as a member of small technical team, considerable flexibility in approach will be essential.

Experience of working as an individual within a team or leading a multidisciplinary team would be beneficial, as would experience of positively influencing colleagues in Far Eastern cultures.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities:

Leading the quality team

To be the senior person in the QA team and ensure that all quality assurance functions within the group are working effectively.
To represent company in all quality matters with group customers.
Review, develop and improve policies, procedures, metrics, and processes to ensure they result in improvements in product quality for all customers.
Draft new systems and procedures where necessary and in agreed formats, in line with ISO9001/14001.
Oversee and develop the claims process to ensure that justified product quality issues are dealt with in an efficient manner in accordance with agreed process and to ensure that appropriate action is taken to prevent recurrence; optimize service level agreements.
To work collaboratively with our colleagues in the Far East to improve product quality
Review, monitor and influence manufacturing partners to ensure they remain compliant with agreed quality standards, and they continue to meet agreed continuous improvement plans that deliver quality, cost, and delivery targets
Lead and / or contribute to problem solving activities.
Lead by example and actively promote the development of a culture of continuous improvement throughout company and its partners. Other

Prepare monthly report for company detailing progress
Be aware of regulatory changes in all jurisdictions in which customers operate.
Report to customers/timely communication of issues, reasons and planned corrective actions.
Contribute to the formulation of ongoing strategy development.
Develop the team's skills, building a highly motivated and high performing team.
Identify training needs for self and team.
Feed intelligence into NPD development plans.
Control product specifications
Manage costs
Contribute to the proposed NPD handover packs for customers.
Deputise for the Head of Technical when required.
Any other duty appropriate to the nature and level of responsibility of the role and Technical. COMPETENCY REQUIREMENTS:

Knowledge & Experience

Skills

Track record in working at a senior level within a quality function

Track record of analytical and methodical approach to product defects

Understanding and working knowledge of plastics manufacturing processes

Strong skills with MS Office, (Intermediate Excel essential)

Detailed knowledge of Quality, and environmental standards (ISO 9001; 14001)

would be highly beneficial

Excellent leadership skills Excellent written and verbal communication skills including presentation

Persuasive, persistent, assertive, and resilient

Tactful and patient

Ability to plan, organise, prioritise and

delegate effectively

Excellent attention to detail

Good analytical skills & logical thinker to support data driven decision making.

Ability to deliver quality output to deadlines

Excellent project management skills.

Strong teamworking skills

Resourceful and proactive

Multi-tasker/ability to adapt to shifting priorities

Chinese speaker would be very beneficial

Attitude & Values

Specific Requirements (must have)

Self-motivated

Hard-working and helpful

Dedicated

Responsible

Flexible

Enthusiasm

Willingness to learn flooring technology

Build consensus/productive relationships across the full supply/customer chain at a senior level.

Minimum 5 years recent experience in midlevel quality role in any of the following industries or similar: - Floor coverings, adhesives, plastics/rubbers, coatings, Graduate from a leading UK university in chemistry/material science/polymer technology or very similar

A thorough understanding of plastic materials in manufacturing is required 5 GCSEs including minimum grade B in Math and English essential; A levels in physical sciences

In depth understanding of QA/QC processes

Must be willing to travel in UK/worldwide

English language as a mother tongue/excellent fluency in English

Specific Requirements (desirable)

Evidence of implementing Quality systems complying with ISO 9000/ISO14001

Driving license desirable

Basic qualification/understanding Six sigma

Experience working with OEM producers in Asia