Senior Quality Manager - Automotive / Aerospace / Defence - West Midlands - £DOE
*If you have a Defence background that would be ideal
Role: Senior Quality Manager
Location: West Midlands (On-site)
Salary: £DOE
About the Company
Our client is a well-established UK engineering and manufacturing organisation supplying complex metal and decorative components into the automotive, aerospace and industrial sectors.
With multiple UK sites and a strong reputation for engineering-led innovation, the business supports some of the world’s most recognised performance and luxury vehicle manufacturers.
Their manufacturing capabilities include advanced metal forming, laser cutting, decorative finishing and specialist coatings, supporting both structural and aesthetic components used in high-performance vehicles and other precision-engineered applications.
Due to continued growth and strategic development within the business, they are now seeking an experienced Senior Quality Manager to lead quality and environmental management across a key manufacturing site.
The Role
The Senior Quality Manager will take ownership of the organisation’s Integrated Management System (IMS) while driving quality excellence across manufacturing operations, supply chain and customer interfaces.
This role will play a critical part in ensuring compliance with automotive, aerospace and environmental standards, while embedding a culture of continuous improvement across the business.
The successful candidate will work closely with engineering, production and leadership teams to ensure robust processes, compliance and customer satisfaction.
Key Responsibilities
Management System Ownership
* Own and maintain the Integrated Management System (IMS) aligned to ISO 9001 standards.
* Ensure compliance with IATF 16949 automotive requirements alongside ISO 9001.
* Integrate AS9100 aerospace quality requirements where applicable.
* Maintain and develop the Environmental Management System (ISO 14001).
Strategic Quality Leadership
* Translate business strategy into quality objectives, KPIs and improvement programmes.
* Lead management reviews and quality performance reporting.
* Champion a culture of customer focus, compliance and operational excellence.
Risk, Compliance & Change Management
* Implement risk-based methodologies across manufacturing processes.
* Ensure robust problem-solving and corrective action processes.
* Maintain registers of legal, regulatory and environmental compliance obligations.
APQP / Quality Tools
* Lead APQP and PPAP processes across new and existing programmes.
* Deploy AIAG core tools including:
* PFMEA
* Control Plans
* MSA
* SPC
* Support engineering teams with design verification and validation processes.
Supplier Quality
* Approve and develop suppliers across the supply chain.
* Conduct supplier audits and manage incoming quality standards.
* Ensure effective management of externally provided processes.
Production Quality Assurance
* Ensure robust process control, verification and traceability systems.
* Oversee management of non-conforming products and corrective actions.
* Drive improvements in manufacturing quality performance.
Audits & Certifications
* Lead internal and external audit programmes.
* Manage customer audits and certification cycles.
* Ensure all required documented information and records are maintained.
Environmental Management
* Manage environmental aspects and impacts.
* Drive improvement programmes aligned with ISO 14001 standards.
* Ensure compliance with environmental regulations and operational controls.
Leadership & Culture
* Lead and develop the site quality team.
* Build organisational capability through training, coaching and continuous improvement initiatives.
* Promote quality awareness across engineering and manufacturing teams.
Customer Interface
* Act as the primary contact for customer quality matters.
* Manage customer concerns, escapes and improvement plans.
* Ensure customer feedback informs operational improvements.
Requirements
Qualifications
* Degree in Engineering, Science or a related discipline, or equivalent experience.
Experience
* 10+ years experience in a senior quality leadership role within manufacturing.
* Strong experience with ISO 9001 quality management systems.
* Proven implementation or management of IATF 16949 automotive quality standards.
* Experience with AS9100 aerospace standards is highly desirable.
* Practical experience implementing ISO 14001 environmental management systems.
Technical Skills
* Strong knowledge of AIAG core quality tools (APQP, PPAP, FMEA, SPC, MSA).
* Experience with root cause analysis and 8D problem solving.
* Supplier quality development and auditing experience.
* Data-driven decision making and statistical analysis capability.
Personal Attributes
* Strong leadership and stakeholder management skills.
* Ability to influence cross-functional teams across engineering and manufacturing.
* Excellent communication and problem-solving capability.
Package
* Salary: Negotiable depending on experience
* Company car allowance or vehicle
* Pension scheme
* Permanent full-time position
* Based on-site in Smethwick, with occasional travel to other UK facilities
If this is of interest please apply on LinkedIn or email george.taylor@everec.co.uk