Quality Manager
Barnstaple | Permanent | Days-based | Senior Leadership Role
Salary: Circa £65,000 + excellent benefits
Hours: Flexible 37-hour week with a 2pm finish every Friday
The Opportunity
This is a senior Quality leadership role within a global, market-leading manufacturer of Hydraulic Valve Systems, supplying highly regulated sectors including Automotive, Oil & Gas, and Semiconductor.
The site is in a strong growth phase with a full order book and long-term stability, making this an ideal role for an experienced Quality professional looking to lead, influence, and embed best-in-class standards in a mature manufacturing environment.
You’ll have the authority, visibility, and backing to drive a Zero Defects culture, strengthen systems, and act as the senior Quality interface for customers and auditors alike.
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Your Role
As Quality Manager, you will take full ownership of the Quality function and systems, leading both people and processes:
* Lead, mentor, and develop the on-site Quality Team
* Own and continuously improve the ISO 9001 & IATF 16949 Quality Management Systems
* Plan, conduct, and close out internal system, process, and product audits
* Act as the senior Quality representative with OEMs, Tier suppliers, and key customers
* Manage customer concerns, corrective actions, and continuous improvement activities
* Drive compliance across all departments, ensuring quality is embedded, not inspected
* Champion Zero Defects and upskill quality capability across the business
* Analyse quality data, trends, and KPIs to drive measurable business improvements
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What We’re Looking For
This role is suited to a seasoned automotive Quality professional who is comfortable operating at both strategic and hands-on levels.
Essential:
* Certified Internal Auditor – ISO 9001 & IATF 16949
* Minimum Level 6 qualification in Quality Assurance (or equivalent)
* Strong working knowledge of IATF 16949, ISO 9001, and VDA 6.3 (Process & Product Audits)
* Proven experience leading Quality functions in a manufacturing environment
* Excellent communication skills across shop floor, leadership, and customer interfaces
* Strong data analysis capability with a structured, problem-solving mindset
* Demonstrated success driving continuous improvement and cultural change
Desirable:
* Degree (BSc / BA / HND) in a relevant engineering or quality discipline
* Six Sigma Green Belt
* Knowledge of ISO 14001 and Environmental Auditing
* Understanding of SHWW legislation and regulations
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What’s On Offer
* 12.5% company bonus (based on company performance)
* 25 days holiday + bank holidays, with the option to buy or sell up to 5 days
* Private healthcare (Bupa)
* Flexible working hours and an early Friday finish
* Pension scheme
* A stable, growing business with long-term career prospects
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If you’re an experienced Quality professional looking for a senior, influential role where your expertise in automotive standards will genuinely shape the business — this is an opportunity worth exploring.