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