Lead Quality Inspector (Contract - Outside IR35)
Location: Norton
Start: ASAP
Rate: £25 (Outside IR35)
Contract: 6 months initially, with strong potential to become permanent
Hours:
Monday-Thursday: 07:00-16:00
Friday: 07:00-13:30
We are currently seeking an experienced Lead Quality Inspector to join our Inspection & Metrology team on a contract basis. This is an excellent opportunity to work in a high-precision engineering environment, with the chance to secure a permanent position for the right candidate.
The Role
As Lead Quality Inspector, you will take ownership of all dimensional inspection and measurement activities within the Inspection Lab. You will ensure that all components and assemblies meet engineering and quality requirements while driving continuous improvement in accuracy, repeatability, and efficiency of measurement systems.
You will also lead and support the inspection team, maintain compliance with the Quality Management System (QMS), and provide technical support across engineering, production, and supplier quality.
Key Responsibilities
Inspection Planning & Coordination
Plan, prioritise, and allocate inspection workloads based on production and project demands
Review drawings, specifications, and work requests to select the correct inspection methods and equipment
Monitor and report inspection throughput, bottlenecks, and quality performance
Quality Assurance & Continuous Improvement
Ensure compliance with Norton's QMS and Laboratory Manual
Maintain and improve inspection control plans, procedures, and documentation
Support internal and external audits
Identify and drive improvements in accuracy, turnaround time, and cost of measurement
Promote 5S, error-proofing, and digitalisation within the lab
Measurement System Assurance
Lead Measurement System Analysis (MSA) and Gage R&R studies
Maintain calibration traceability and control of calibration intervals
Investigate and resolve measurement system issues such as drift, bias, or uncertainty
People Development
Maintain skills and competency matrices for the inspection team
Coach and support inspectors in GD&T, CMM programming, and advanced metrology techniques
Promote a culture of precision, ownership, and continuous improvement
Cross-Functional Support
Provide accurate measurement data to support problem-solving and root-cause analysis
Work closely with Engineering, Production, and Supplier Quality
Support PFMEA, control plans, and fixture validation activities
Experience & Skills Required
HNC/HND in Mechanical or Manufacturing Engineering (or equivalent experience)
Proven experience in inspection and metrology in automotive, aerospace, or precision engineering
Strong GD&T knowledge and tolerance analysis
Experience with CMM programming and portable measurement systems (e.g. FARO arm, laser scanner, shadowgraph)
Hands-on experience with MSA, Gage R&R, and statistical data analysis
Knowledge of ISO 9001 and IATF 16949 (ISO 17025 preferred)
Key Competencies
High attention to detail and accuracy
Strong organisation and coordination skills
Leadership and mentoring ability
Data-driven and continuous-improvement mindset
Effective communication across functions