Location: HampshireRole: Senior Quality Assurance Officer/Quality EngineerSalary: £35k- £41k + BenefitsAbout the RoleWe are seeking a detail-oriented and proactive Quality Assurance professional to join their team. The primary objective of this role is to ensure that customer quality concerns and consumer complaints are thoroughly investigated and resolved in a timely manner. The successful candidate will play a key role in investigating non-conformities, implementing effective corrective and preventive actions, and supporting new product introductions while ensuring regulatory compliance.This is a hands-on role requiring a strong background in quality improvement methodologies and auditing. Time will be spent both on production lines and conducting product inspections.Key ResponsibilitiesQuality Management & AuditingOversee the internal audit programme, including scheduling, assigning auditors, conducting audits, and ensuring timely completion and approval of audit reports.Monitor the Corrective and Preventative Action (CAPA) process, verifying the relevance and effectiveness of proposed actions.Conduct effectiveness checks on CAPAs to ensure sustainable resolution of issues.Manage the Change Control Process, ensuring all changes align with regulatory requirements and quality standards.Investigations & ComplianceInvestigate customer quality issues and consumer complaints, ensuring timely and thorough responses.Support operations teams in resolving internal non-conformities, using structured problem-solving techniques to identify root causes and corrective/preventative actions.Review and complete Deviations promptly, allocating actions to the Quality Control (QC) department as needed.Attend customer meetings and act as a key point of contact for quality-related discussions.Assist in reviewing and updating Risk Assessments as required.New Product Introduction (NPI) & Production SupportProvide quality engineering expertise to NPI projects, ensuring compliance with specifications and regulatory standards.Participate in line trials, conducting evaluations and presenting findings in post-trial review meetings.Oversee first production start-ups, conducting capability studies and product inspections to verify compliance with customer specifications.Review and approve Packing Specifications for new and existing products.Documentation & ReportingMaintain accurate and detailed records of all investigations, audits, and corrective actions to ensure data integrity and compliance.Assist in preparing Product Quality Review (PQR) reports in collaboration with the Administration Team.Author and update Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) as needed.Qualifications & ExperienceEssential:Certified Internal Auditor with relevant auditing experience.Previous experience in a Quality Assurance or Quality Engineering role.Strong knowledge of quality improvement tools and problem-solving techniques.Ability to manage multiple tasks, work under pressure, and meet deadlines.Strong technical knowledge, with the ability to gain credibility within the team.Experience in leading and developing team members, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.Experience working in a Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) environment.Desirable:Degree or equivalent qualification in a Science, Engineering, or Manufacturing-related field.Person SpecificationConfident and proactive communicator, capable of influencing stakeholders at all levels.Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to listen, discuss, and advise effectively.A team player who thrives in a collaborative environment.Highly organised, with the ability to prioritise workload in a dynamic setting.Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).Comfortable working with computerised information systems for data entry, retrieval, and updates