Quality Manager in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear

Jackson Hogg have partnered with an industry leading manufacturing business in the Newcastle area, on a Quality Manager position, reporting directly to the Quality Director. 

This is a hands-on leadership role requiring a strong technical quality background, exceptional auditing capability, and the ability to influence quality standards across the entire operation.

Quality Manager Responsibilities 

• Lead and manage the site Quality Management System (QMS) and ensure compliance with IATF 16949 requirements.
• Manage and coordinate all external certification audits, customer audits and supplier audits.
• Act as the primary quality representative during customer visits and quality-related meetings.
• Maintain quality policies, procedures, standards and documentation across the business.
• Drive standardisation and continuous improvement initiatives in line with organisational quality objectives.
• Oversee product approval documentation, control plans, PFMEA activities, PPAP submissions and validation processes.
• Manage approved supplier performance, supplier development activities and supplier re-approval programmes.
• Lead root cause investigations using structured problem-solving methodologies including 8D.
• Generate and present monthly quality reports, capability studies and strategic quality performance reviews.
• Analyse manufacturing and trial data to support business decisions and process improvements.
• Manage Statistical Process Control (SPC), Process Capability (CPK/PPK), Measurement Systems Analysis (MSA) and Gauge R&R activities.
• Ensure laboratory testing systems, calibration programmes and quality control activities remain fully compliant and effective.
• Lead quality improvement projects using Lean Six Sigma methodologies.
• Manage departmental 5S standards and support wider operational excellence initiatives.
• Provide guidance and support to process owners across the manufacturing operation.
• Lead and develop the quality team through coaching, training and performance management.
• Conduct performance reviews and development planning for direct reports.
• Support strategic business reviews and present quality performance information to senior leadership.

Quality Manager Requirements 

• IATF 16949 Lead Auditor qualification.(Desirable)
• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification. (Desirable)
• Experience within an automotive manufacturing or similarly demanding production environment.
• Proven experience in a Quality Manager or senior quality leadership role.
• Strong knowledge of Quality Assurance and Quality Control principles.
• Experience managing and maintaining IATF-compliant quality systems.
• Demonstrable success leading customer, supplier and third-party audits.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to present complex technical information to both operational and senior leadership teams.
• Strong analytical, organisational and problem-solving abilities.

Desirable

• VDA 6.3 Lead Auditor qualification.
• Chartered Quality Institute (CQI) membership.