Chess Dynamics is a leading UK design and manufacturing organisation with multiple sites nationwide. We develop advanced, high ‑ performance products for the surveillance and defence sectors, supporting specialist customer requirements. Innovation, technical excellence and operational integrity are central to our mission.
We are seeking a strategic and influential Head of Quality to lead and evolve our Quality function across three sites. In this senior leadership role, you will take full ownership of the Quality Management System, ensuring compliance with BS EN ISO 9001:2025 while driving continuous improvement, operational excellence and customer confidence across the organisation.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead and own the Quality function across three sites, setting the strategic direction and driving a culture of excellence, accountability and continuous improvement
* Define, implement and continuously improve the Quality Management System in line with BS EN ISO 9001:2025, ensuring compliance with regulatory, customer and business requirements
* Act as the senior authority for quality, ensuring robust assurance and control across the full product lifecycle, from design through to customer acceptance
* Represent the business in customer quality matters, leading acceptance activities and building confidence through transparent, high-quality delivery
* Drive effective non‑conformance management, ensuring root‑cause analysis and corrective/preventive actions deliver sustainable improvements
* Oversee supplier quality performance, ensuring strong vendor selection, development and compliance with quality, security and traceability standards
* Lead internal audit programmes and ensure all contractual and regulatory quality requirements are fully understood, implemented and achieved
* Maintain strong configuration control and ensure engineering documentation supports consistent, high‑quality outputs
* Develop and lead a high‑performing quality team, building capability, succession and a right‑first‑time mindset across the organisation
* Collaborate cross‑functionally with engineering, manufacturing and supply chain teams to embed risk‑based, data‑driven quality practices
* Champion the use of structured methodologies such as FMEA, RCA, Lean and Six Sigma to improve product reliability and process capability
Skills & Experience
* Proven senior quality leadership experience within complex engineering or manufacturing environments (e.g. defence, aerospace, automotive)
* Strong expertise in ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems, including implementation and optimisation
* Solid technical or engineering background with the ability to engage effectively across technical and non‑technical teams
* Demonstrated ability to influence stakeholders, improve supplier performance and lead customer‑facing quality activities
* Experience applying risk‑based quality tools and methodologies such as FMEA, 8D, RCA and data‑driven decision making
* Understanding of ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems
Personal Attributes
* Consistently demonstrates the company values of Teamwork, Integrity, Excellence, and Courage, setting the tone for others to follow
* Operates with a strategic, structured, and highly disciplined approach, maintaining exceptional attention to detail across all quality‑critical activities
* Exercises strong independent judgement, taking ownership of complex issues and driving them to resolution with minimal oversight
* Brings a professional, dependable, and solutions‑focused mindset, adapting seamlessly to shifting priorities and operational demands
* Demonstrates resilience, composure, and adaptability, maintaining high performance and sound decision‑making in demanding or high‑pressure environments
Work life balance:
* 37.5 hour working week with lunchtime finishes on a Friday
* Hybrid / flexible working arrangements
* 28 days annual leave
* Christmas closure
* Group pension plan – matched contributions up to 6%
* Private Medical Insurance or Health cash plan
* Employee Assistance Programme gives you and your family access to 4 key services including remote GP service, second opinion, mental health pathway service and physiotherapy consultations
* Life assurance policy, including bereavement counselling and probate helpline
* Company shares incentive plan and save as you earn scheme
* Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme
* Wellbeing initiatives, including access to wellbeing app and the additionof mental health support for all employees
* Reward platform (high street discounts, cashback, vouchers, health and wellbeing offerings)
* Excellent learning & development opportunities
Security Clearance Requirements:
Due to the nature of our business, our staff need to be able to obtain UK Security Clearance as a mandated requirement. Therefore, if successful, you will need to provide proof of identity, employment history and right to work in the UK, along with proof of UK residency for at least five years.
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