Overview of the Company With rigid core Company Values and a strong Group Vision, we are the UK’s foremost bespoke steel door manufacturer. With our roots firmly planted in a family plot, we’ve worked hard to maintain close-knit working relationships throughout the business The client maintains a friendly, fun working environment whilst aiming to be more corporate and professional. Within our new £6m facility in Newcastle under Lyme, Staffordshire, we have the best in hi-tech systems designed to minimise any manual lifting, make our processes flow seamlessly and enable us to produce the highest quality door products. As part of that growth project, we are growing the number of our employees. We believe in the value of our people; be they colleagues of longstanding or new recruits. Everyone has the opportunity to make a valid contribution to our success. Main Purpose of the Role The Senior Quality Assurance and Continuous Improvement Leader will act as a key facilitator and driver of quality and continuous improvement initiatives across the business. The role focuses on identifying root causes, implementing corrective actions, and embedding a culture of continuous improvement to reduce waste, improve efficiency, and enhance customer satisfaction. This position also includes ownership of product quality standards, with a specific focus on the significant and critical characteristics of doors. The post-holder will ensure that these standards are clearly defined, maintained, and controlled through effective Single Point Lessons (SPLs) and other process controls. Additionally, the role will oversee the establishment and leadership of a formal Continuous Improvement (CI) programme, fostering engagement across teams to identify and implement initiatives that align with company objectives. Scope of the Role The Senior Quality Assurance and Continuous Improvement Leader will work cross- functionally to analyse and optimise quality-related activities, support process improvements, and champion cost-saving initiatives. A significant part of the role involves embedding a CI culture, driving change, and ensuring alignment of all teams with operational goals. Key responsibilities include creating, maintaining, and auditing quality controls; developing a structured CI framework; and engaging teams across departments to implement best practices in lean manufacturing, Six Sigma principles, and waste reduction. Primary Objectives Successfully complete the 3-month probationary period Support the achievement of site-wide and departmental key performance indicators (KPIs) Facilitate and support the achievement of overall business goals, embedding within the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) Drive improvements in output quality and performance across production departments, meeting specific objectives and timelines Take ownership of the significant and critical characteristics of the product, ensuring appropriate standards are in place and controlled effectively Create, maintain, and audit Single Point Lessons (SPLs) and control mechanisms to ensure adherence to quality standards Establish, lead, and maintain a formal Continuous Improvement (CI) programme that engages cross-functional teams to identify and deliver measurable improvements Act as a coach and mentor for CI activities, supporting the development of a continuous improvement mindset at all levels of the organisation Conduct audits of quality and CI processes, aligning with best practices and driving improvements within the first six months of tenure Champion a culture of innovation and collaboration, facilitating workshops and problem-solving sessions to tackle operational challenges Primary Measures of Effectiveness Meeting agreed-upon objectives, site KPIs, and quality metrics Delivering measurable results through CI initiatives (e.g., reduced waste, improved efficiency, cost savings) Ensuring that significant product characteristics and critical controls are clearly defined, documented, and consistently adhered to Developing and sustaining a CI framework with active participation from all key departments Engaging in continuous professional development to enhance personal expertise and effectiveness Secondary Objectives These are the business outcomes that this role may also be tasked with supporting. These should not generally take priority over primary objectives These can be ongoing or generic project-based activities. Qualifications, Skills and Experience Required for Role Minimum 5 years of experience in quality assurance or continuous improvement within a manufacturing setting, preferably in automotive, aerospace, or industrial sectors (mechanical experience preferred) Demonstrated experience in leading and delivering CI projects, including the application of lean manufacturing and Six Sigma principles Strong knowledge of modern manufacturing processes and quality improvement strategies Proven ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills Proficient in Office 365 with strong presentation and facilitation skills Relevant qualifications in a quality or CI-related field, such as a BA (Hons), Green Belt Six Sigma, or equivalent Detail-oriented, resilient, and results-driven with a focus on collaboration and facilitation