Ash & Lacy is a UK leading, family-owned metal manufacturing and engineering solutions business covering construction, industrial, and automotive industries. Scope for career development is optimal with over 380 employees covering a high number of processes and capabilities across the 7 sites.
Our Automotive and Aerospace division operates in Smethwick Birmingham, and Nottingham. This includes our Vestatec division that specialises in coated, decorative interior trim components. Key customers include Aston Martin, Bentley, JLR, McLaren, Ferrari, Lamborghini, JCB and many more.
Key Automotive & Aerospace functions
· DFM support, manufacturing and supply for performance and decorative metal solutions
· Specialists in perforating, expanding, pressing and complex laser cutting
· Specialists in decorative and performance coatings and finishes
· We pride ourselves on being an engineering lead business providing technical solutions for luxury and performance vehicles
· Process capability development for new market opportunities
Key Responsibilities
1) Management System Ownership & Governance
* Own and maintain the Integrated Management System (IMS) aligned to ISO 9001 clause structure, ensuring effective process definition, risk-based thinking, performance evaluation, and improvement.
* Ensure the IMS incorporates IATF 16949 supplemental automotive requirements in conjunction with ISO 9001 (not stand‑alone).
* Ensure the IMS incorporates AS9100D requirements over and above ISO 9001 for aviation, space, and defence operations.
* Integrate ISO 14001 requirements for environmental aspects/impacts, compliance obligations, operational control, and emergency preparedness.
2) Strategic Quality Leadership
* Translate business strategy into quality and environmental objectives, KPIs, and management programs, drive policy deployment and management review outputs.
* Champion customer focus, stakeholder needs, and statutory/regulatory alignment across product lifecycles and supply chain.
3) Risk, Change & Compliance
* Establish risk-based methodologies for process design, change control, and contingency planning; ensure robust problem-solving and corrective actions. (IATF emphasis on defect prevention, risk, warranty/field failure, and contingency; AS9100 emphasis on product safety & configuration management).
* Maintain legal and other compliance obligations register for environmental and quality domains; ensure adherence and evidence.
4) APQP / FAIRS / Design & Development (where applicable)
* Lead or assure APQP/PPAP activities and core tools deployment (PFMEA, Control Plans, MSA, SPC) to meet IATF 16949 expectations.
* For AS9100D scopes: ensure design & development planning, configuration management, verification/validation, FAIRS and change control meet aerospace product-safety rigor.
5) Supplier Quality & External Provision
* Approve and develop suppliers, flow-down customer-specific requirements, and ensure effective control of externally provided processes. (ISO 9001/ IATF/AS9100).
* Oversee incoming quality, supplier audits, and escalation.
6) Production Quality Assurance
* Ensure robust operational controls: release, verification/validation, traceability (as required), nonconforming output control, and rework/repair authorizations. (AS9100 adds stronger requirements for configuration, product safety, and counterfeit parts prevention; IATF adds embedded software, warranty management).
7) Auditing & Certification
* Plan and conduct internal audits across QMS/EMS; manage Customer audits and surveillance cycles; lead closure of findings and continual improvement. (AS9100/OASIS program aligns with IAQG; IATF certification rules apply to automotive sites).
* Maintain mandatory “documented information” and records per standard(s) and site scope. (See AS9100 Rev D documented information expectations).
8) Environmental Management (ISO 14001)
* Identify environmental aspects/impacts, set objectives, manage operational controls, emergency preparedness/response, and monitor performance to drive continual improvement of the EMS.
9) People, Culture & Competence
* Build quality and environmental capability: training on standards, core tools, product safety, problem-solving, and audit skills; ensure competence and awareness.
10) Customer & Stakeholder Interface
* Serve as the primary interface for customer quality, escapes, and improvement planning; ensure voice-of-customer data feeds management review and risk planning.
Standard‑Specific Responsibilities
Automotive (IATF 16949) add‑ons
* Ensure compliance with IATF 16949 supplemental requirements, customer‑specific requirements (CSRs), and cascade to sub‑tiers.
* Lead APQP/PPAP submission packages; oversee control plans, FMEA, IMDS, process capability, and contingency planning.
* Manage product safety, embedded software (if in scope), analysis, and change management.16949.
Aerospace/Defence (AS9100D) add‑ons
* Implement product safety, configuration management, risk management, and special requirements/critical items processes per AS9100D.
* Ensure traceability, counterfeit parts prevention, and FOD (foreign object debris) controls as applicable.
* Maintain certification status within IAQG OASIS and manage customer/regulatory interfaces.
Environmental (ISO 14001) add‑ons
* Maintain aspects & impacts register, compliance obligations, and operational control; lead emergency preparedness drills and continual improvement plans.
Required Qualifications & Experience
* Degree in Engineering, Science, or related discipline (or equivalent experience).
* Demonstrable leadership of ISO 9001 certified QMS; practical knowledge of clauses 4–10 and PDCA/risk‑based thinking.
* Automotive sites: hands‑on IATF 16949 implementation/audit experience and use of AIAG Core Tools (APQP, PPAP, FMEA, MSA, SPC, Control Plan).
* Aerospace site: AS9100D experience (product safety, configuration management, traceability, special requirements).
* EMS: proven ISO 14001 implementation with aspects/impacts, compliance obligations, and operational controls.
* Internal/lead auditor credentials (9001; plus 16949/9100/14001 as applicable).
* Minimum 10 years’ experience in similar quality manager role.
Core Competencies & Skills
* Strong problem‑solving (8D), statistical analysis, and data‑driven decision making.
* Supplier development and audit capability (ISO 9001 8.4, IATF, AS9100).
* Change leadership, communication, coaching, and cross‑functional influence.
* Knowledge of legal/regulatory frameworks (quality & environmental).
Governance & Documentation
* Maintain the scope, process maps, responsibilities/authorities, quality & environmental policy, and objectives; preserve required documented information and records per each standard.
Desirable Extras
* Full understanding of 8.3 Product Design regarding processes and procedures. (IATF)
* Knowledge of climate‑related considerations including cyber security.
* Working knowledge of VDA systems and TISAX requirements.
* Expanding and growing the scope for Aerospace special processes.
Offer package:
· Salary £60-70k PA depending on experience
· Company car, Tesla, Range Rover Evoque or similar
· Pension scheme
· 5 days a week office based in Smethwick, West Midlands with occasional requirements at Vestatec, Nottingham