LOCATION:

Coventry

SALARY:

Competitive

PERMANENT/FIXED:

Permanent

Application Reference Number: 0024

Head of Quality

About the role:

The Head of Quality is responsible for the strategic and tactical responsibility for implementing quality strategy and strategic operational goals to exceed customer expectations. You will work closely with internal and external key stakeholders, regarding technical support of their activities. Responsible for all areas of the Quality function and providing support within Operations. Lead and develop the Quality Management system, striving for best-in-class business practices to deliver the customer’s expectations, managing the quality team and supporting projects across the business. The Head of Quality should provide clear leadership and vision, inspire, and motivate UKBIC staff to achieve excellence and mentor them as they develop new skills. The Head of Quality will help facilitate Lean Business and drive continuous improvement across all quality-related areas of the business in line with the strategy. The Head of Quality guarantees the continual compliance of quality standards for products and processes. Will have people and budgetary management responsibility and is part of the Leadership team.

Key accountabilities and responsibilities

Strategy and Development

• Ensure that the facility continually scores highly on customer assessments with respect to delivered quality.
• Develop and maintain quality systems and procedures for effective management of activities the site.
• Overall responsibility for Quality activities across the business.
• Support the development and roll-out of the short-term & long-term business strategies.
• Create and implement best practice quality vision, strategy, policies, processes and procedures to aid and improve business performance.
• Ensure that quality strategies and processes are in place to meet business objectives and operational needs.
• Evaluate the challenges faced by the business and take action to mitigate risks and develop opportunities.

General deliverables

• Lead effective management of quality with a focus on customer satisfaction.
• Provide and apply appropriate quality systems and root cause analysis to react to quality concerns in a manner that results in an enhanced reputation with the customer.
• Drive out non-conformances with an attention to detail that will prevent repeat concerns.
• Establish quality and reliability standards by studying industry benchmarks and the requirements of customers. Develop and define the metrics required to assess performance against these standards.
• Implement new quality processes and systems where appropriate.
• Drive continuous improvement activities throughout the business.
• Ensuring that problems are prevented and that customer requirements are met with any problems resolved effectively and economically.
• Work to prevent non-conformances, customer complaints, or customer concessions.
• Develop the Quality Management System (IMS), updating procedures and train team members where required.
• Maintain procedures and processes ensuring companywide compliance to UK / EU, legal and customer specifications and standards.
• Ensure effective internal and external audits planning & management of plan.
• Ensure that audit corrective actions are delivered whilst non-compliance issues are resolved on time.
• Support project management cross-functional activities required for project execution.
• Report on Quality activities on a regular basis to the Senior Management team, ensuring accurate and timely reporting of the relevant Key Performance Indicators in alignment with the business strategy.

Financial Budget & Control

• Input and hold responsibility for the quality budget.
• Prepare the quality budget and forecasts.
• Manage calibration & costs with a continual drive to reduce overall cost. 

Required Qualifications, Skills & Experience:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Mechanical, Chemistry, Physics, Systems, or Chemical Engineering.
• Time serviced 3 to 5 years’ experience within a similar role.
• Knowledge of APQP in particular, FMEA Control plans, MSA and capability studies.
• Lean Manufacturing knowledge, six sigma, 8D or similar methodology.
• Knowledge of IATF16949, ISO9001, or IS/EN9100.
• An individual with a proven track record in a front-line Quality role most likely within a manufacturing environment.
• Customer-facing experience.
• You will have a technical background with a formal qualification in an Engineering or technical discipline.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong negotiation and people management skills.
• Ability to present data effectively.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Ability to work on own initiative.
• Can lead a team.
• Use of Microsoft office suit.
• Use of Minitab or other analytical software.

Personal attributes:

• Analytical with problem-solving and organisational skills.
• Excellent planning skills with the ability to handle multiple tasks and completing priorities through to completion.
• Excellent attention to detail. 
• Excellent team player.
• Self-motivated with an emphasis on task management and adaptability.
• Engages the interest and participation of others.
• Shows moral courage, openness and honesty in all situations.
• Resilient, optimistic and open to change.
• Is self-aware, confident, assertive and self-assured.
• Has a collaborative approach to others.

Application Reference Number: 0024