Overview
Quality Lead Auditor / Quality Manager – Full Time | Permanent | Up to £36,000 + Benefits | Matlock, DE4 5A
Are you passionate about building a quality-first culture? Do you thrive on turning systems and standards into real-world results? If you’re ready to lead, influence, and make a lasting impact on a heritage British brand, this is your opportunity. At John Smedley, we’re renowned for craftsmanship, consistency, and care. As we move towards ISO9001 accreditation, we’re looking for a Quality Lead Auditor / Quality Manager to take ownership of our quality framework ensuring every product, process, and person reflects our uncompromising standards.
This is a hybrid role that blends strategic thinking with hands-on leadership. You’ll shape our systems, mentor our people, and keep us audit-ready every single day. From coaching production teams to leading internal audits and customer assurance reviews, you’ll be the guardian of quality and the driver of improvement.
What Youll Do
* Lead and develop the Quality function, embedding best practice across all areas.
* Drive our ISO9001 journey from preparation through to certification and beyond.
* Conduct internal audits and champion a culture of compliance, consistency, and improvement.
* Partner with design, production, and customers to ensure every product meets our high standards.
* Use data and insight to identify issues, reduce waste, and improve performance.
* Be a visible, hands-on leader challenging, coaching, and inspiring others to deliver excellence.
What Youll Bring
* Experience in quality management systems (ideally ISO9001).
* Proven auditing and process improvement expertise.
* A collaborative leadership style confident, clear, and customer-focused.
* The ability to balance detail with the bigger picture, influencing stakeholders at every level.
* A genuine passion for craftsmanship, sustainability, and continuous improvement.
Why John Smedley?
We’re Britain’s oldest manufacturing brand proudly crafting premium knitwear in Derbyshire since 1784. Our commitment to quality runs deep: from the finest materials and meticulous processes to the people who make it happen. You’ll join a close-knit team where tradition meets transformation, and where your expertise will shape the next chapter of our story. If you’re ready to lead quality from the front and make a real difference in a heritage business with a modern mindset, we’d love to hear from you.
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