Job Title: Quality Manager Location: Cambridge – with flexible travel across the UK and Europe Job Type: Full time Industry: Defence | Start-ups & Scale-ups Reports to: Head of Manufacturing About the Role We are seeking a highly skilled and hands-on Quality Manager to lead the development and execution of our quality function. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in defence, automotive, aerospace industries, and a proven track record of building a quality department from scratch. This is a high-impact role for someone who thrives in fast-paced, technical environments and can bring structure, compliance, and continuous improvement to both internal and supplier-facing quality operations. You will be responsible for developing and implementing ISO 9001, AS9100, and other relevant quality standards, while also leading, mentoring, and growing a high-performing quality team. Key Responsibilities Quality Management Systems (QMS) Lead the implementation, maintenance, and certification of ISO 9001, AS9100, and other industry-specific QMS. Develop and maintain company-wide quality policies, procedures, and documentation. Ensure compliance with customer, regulatory, and industry requirements across all business areas. Department Leadership & Development Build the quality department from the ground up, including setting up systems, recruiting staff, and defining KPIs. Develop and lead a high-performing quality team to support operational, production, and engineering functions. Foster a culture of quality, ownership, and continuous improvement across the organisation. Supplier Quality Management Lead supplier qualification, auditing, and performance management processes. Develop and enforce supplier quality standards, including PPAP, APQP, and SCAR processes. Collaborate with procurement and engineering teams to resolve supplier quality issues and drive improvement initiatives. Operational & Product Quality Oversee internal quality control and assurance activities, including inspection, testing, and final product release. Support root cause analysis (RCA), corrective and preventive actions (CAPA), and non-conformance management. Analyse quality data to drive continuous improvement in processes, yields, and customer satisfaction. Audit & Compliance Lead internal and external audits, including third-party certification and customer audits. Ensure timely closure of audit findings and non-conformances. Stay current with changes in industry standards and regulatory requirements. Qualifications & Experience Essential: 7 years’ experience in quality roles within defence, aerospace, automotive, or medical device sectors. Hands-on experience with ISO 9001, AS9100, and other quality standards. Demonstrated ability to build and lead a quality department from scratch. Proven leadership in building and managing teams in a quality function. Strong background in supplier quality management, including audits, compliance, and issue resolution. Deep understanding of quality tools and methodologies: FMEA, SPC, 8D, CAPA, RCA, etc. Desirable: Degree in Engineering, Quality, or related technical discipline. Certified Lead Auditor (ISO 9001, AS9100). Experience working in start-up or scale-up environments. Familiarity with ERP and quality management systems (e.g., SAP, Q-Pulse, Arena, etc.). Key Skills Leadership & team development QMS implementation & compliance Supplier quality & vendor development Process improvement & lean methodologies Internal and external auditing Technical report writing and documentation control Strong communication and stakeholder engagement Attention to detail and analytical thinking