Head of Quality in Newcastle upon Tyne

Our team members are passionate, driven and up for a challenge. If you have ambition to make a difference, then please read on.

• Location
• Newcastle
• Reports to
• Operations Director
• Role Purpose

The Head of Quality is accountable for defining, leading and embedding a robust quality strategy across the business, ensuring all fire detection and alarm products meet regulatory, customer and certification requirements.

The role champions a culture of right‑first‑time, continuous improvement and compliance, protecting product integrity, business reputation and customer safety.

This is a senior leadership role with end to end responsibility for Quality Management Systems, product compliance, audit readiness and continuous improvement across design, manufacturing, suppliers and product performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Quality Strategy & Leadership
• Define and deliver the Quality strategy aligned to business growth, regulatory requirements and customer expectations.
• Act as the senior Quality authority, providing credible challenge and guidance to the leadership team.
• Embed a strong quality culture across engineering, manufacturing and supply chain functions.
• Lead, develop and performance‑manage the Quality team.
• Quality Management System (QMS)
• Own and continually improve the Quality Management System (ISO 9001), ensuring effective implementation across all functions.
• Ensure document control, change management, corrective and preventive action (CAPA), and management review processes are robust and effective.
• Drive risk‑based thinking and preventative quality approaches.
• Regulatory & Product Compliance
• Ensure full compliance with applicable standards and regulations, including (but not limited to):
• EN 54 series
• BS 5839 (relevant interfaces and system considerations)
• UKCA / CE marking
• LPCB approvals (and/or UL where applicable)
• Oversee product approval, re‑certification and technical file integrity.
• Manufacturing & Supplier Quality
• Ensure effective quality controls across manufacturing, test and inspection processes.
• Lead supplier quality assurance, including supplier audits, performance monitoring and corrective actions.
• Support new product introduction (NPI) processes to ensure quality is designed in from concept through to production.
• Audit & Assurance
• Lead internal and external audits, including certification, customer and regulatory audits.
• Ensure timely and effective closure of audit findings and continuous improvement actions.
• Prepare the organisation for growth‑related audit complexity (new markets, products, customers).
• Continuous Improvement & Performance
• Use data, KPIs and root‑cause analysis to drive measurable quality improvement.
• Reduce cost of poor quality, rework, scrap and field issues.
• Support operational excellence and lean initiatives where appropriate.

Essential

• Knowledge, Skills & Experience
• Senior Quality leadership experience within electronic, electrical or safety‑critical manufacturing.
• Strong working knowledge of fire detection and alarm standards (EN 54 essential).
• Proven experience owning ISO 9001 systems and leading external audits.
• Strong understanding of product compliance, certification and regulatory frameworks.
• Ability to influence at senior and board level with confidence and credibility.
• Experience leading and developing technical Quality teams.

Desirable

• Experience within fire safety, life‑safety or regulated product environments.
• Exposure to LPCB, UL or multi‑territory product approvals.
• Experience supporting business growth, new markets or product expansion.
• Lean / Six Sigma or Continuous Improvement qualifications.
• Personal Attributes
• Calm, credible and decisive under pressure
• Detail‑focused with strong commercial awareness
• Confident challenger with a collaborative leadership style
• Values‑led and committed to product safety and integrity
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