Quality Manager
Lincat is a thriving manufacturing business; one of the world's leading names in commercial catering equipment with over 50 years of experience in delivering world-class innovation and product quality to its extensive customer base. Our company manufactures 50,000 products each year and exports to 80+ countries. We have great products, great people and great customers.
Here at Lincat, we have a new role available for a full-time Quality Manager to join our team. The successful candidate will thrive in a fast-paced manufacturing environment to reduce the number of product failures experienced by customers and internal waste by effectively influencing manufacture, design and supply chain.
This role will have full responsibility for internal quality systems and external supply chain non-conformances. It is expected that ISO 9001 accreditation is maintained by effectively managing internal processes and procedures. Working closely with the senior management team it is expected that this role will drive a quality-focused culture by exceptional supporting documentation for operations staff and be instrumental in driving behavioural change towards quality. The role will lead an effective quality strategy, incorporating document control, training, supplier quality management, risk management and non-conformance management.
Key Areas of Responsibility
Factory
• Warranty data analysis (with the Engineering Director) to identify common cause issues and trends.
• Ensuring all manufacturing processes are correctly documented.
• Ensure robust and effective inspection and test procedures.
• Working with the Engineering Director to embed quality into the NPD process.
• Gathering, analysing, and presenting quality data to the board.
• Maintaining ISO 9001 accreditation.
• Maintaining ISO14001 accreditation.
• Roll out of tablet-based quality system in assembly.
• Developing a suite of quality KPIs for the business.
• Signing off NPD releases when the Quality requirements are achieved.
Supply chain
• Working with the Procurement Manager to develop effective proactive vendor appraisal and improvement plans.
• Working with the Procurement Manager to develop effective data capture to focus effective improvement actions.
• Manage the supply chain corrective action process.
• Concession process management.
Key Accountabilities
• Leading by example and setting the standard for adherence to health and safety policies and procedures.
• Develop and drive a comprehensive 3-year quality plan for the business that clearly identifies the milestones and ownership required across the business to achieve and deliver better ownership experiences for our customers.
• Conduct warranty data analysis to drive improvement in component and manufacturing quality. Provide analysis of quality data for departmental managers and facilitate corrective action initiatives.
• Create and lead quality-related process documentation improvement throughout the relevant business sections.
• Critique and improve current product testing procedures in assembly.
• Develop a system for effectively managing quality inspection from the machine shop operation.
• Drive the rollout of the electronic quality system in assembly.
• Develop a suite of quality KPIs for the business, incorporating supplier quality performance.
• Critique and improve training-related documents and processes to support consistent build methodologies.
• Maintain ISO 9001 accreditation.
• Liaise with customers for quality-related issues and manage relationships.
• Support new product development to ensure DFM, quality documentation and auditing criteria are identified prior to launch.
• Conduct systematic vendor appraisals.
• Manage supply chain non-conformance with key stakeholders.
• Product packaging specifications to minimise damage on arrival to customer.
• Lead weekly Quality KPI reviews with the senior team to discuss current performance and highlight continuous improvement opportunities.
• Embed problem-solving techniques to identify root causes for quality-related issues.
• Promote engagement activities to support the vision and values of the business.
• Lead internal and supply chain concession processes.
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
• Demonstrated management of QMS’s.
• Competent in Microsoft applications such as Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Knowledge of ISO quality management systems.
• Exceptional leadership and team management skills with the ability to mentor, inspire, motivate, and emotionally stimulate team members.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Proven track record for managing projects effectively, with established road maps and milestones.
• Analytical approach to problem-solving.
• Experience in end-of-line electrical and gas testing practices.
• Exceptional communication skills and ability to establish and maintain credible working relationships internally and externally.
• Ability to multitask and prioritise multiple projects, with excellent delegation skills.
• Excellent knowledge of ERP.
• Six Sigma Green belt (Black belt preferred and IOSH Certified.
• 5 years experience in managing quality systems and teams and 5+ years experience in Engineering or Production Engineering roles.
• Experience in an assembly manufacturing environment.
Hours of work are 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday.