At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead quality management systems and drive continuous improvement in a dynamic manufacturing environment.
- Company: Join Alkegen, a leader in innovative specialty materials with a global impact.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth opportunities, and a chance to make a difference.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with a focus on sustainability and innovation.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of quality assurance and help shape industry standards.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in ISO 9001 environments and strong problem-solving skills required.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
The Quality Manager is responsible for leading the site's Quality Management Systems in accordance with ISO 9001:2015 standards. This role ensures certification integrity, drives continual improvement, reduces Cost of Poor Quality, improves material yield, minimises customer complaints, and strengthens compliance across the Derby site. The position operates as a member of the site leadership team and reports directly to the Plant Manager.
Key Responsibilities
- Management System Leadership (ISO 9001 & ISO 14001)
- Lead and maintain ISO 9001 certification.
- Own the effectiveness and continual improvement of both systems.
- Lead Management Review in accordance with Clause 9 requirements.
- Maintain risk registers for quality aspects.
- Ensure all procedures and documentation remain current and controlled.
- Govern internal audit programmes using a risk-based approach.
- Ensure corrective and preventive actions are robust, timely and effective.
- Ensure legal and compliance registers are current and evaluated periodically.
- Prevent recurrence of non-conformities through systemic corrective actions.
- Quality Performance & Financial Impact
- Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ).
- Customer complaints (volume and financial impact).
- Material yield percentage.
- Scrap and material loss cost.
- Manufacturing variance linked to quality losses.
- Leading root cause investigations and validating corrective actions.
- Establishing financial visibility of quality losses.
- Implementing SPC and process control methods where appropriate.
- Reducing complaint recurrence through systemic prevention.
- Presenting monthly quality performance data to plant leadership.
- Governance & Compliance
- Maintain aspect and impact assessments.
- Ensure operational controls are effective for significant risks.
- Lead incident investigations.
- Drive waste reduction initiatives linked to process scrap and inefficiency.
- Support energy and resource efficiency improvements.
- Ensure no non-conformities or regulatory breaches.
- Customer & Supplier Quality Interface
- Lead customer quality discussions and issue resolution.
- Approve PPAP submissions and process change requests.
- Govern supplier quality performance and corrective actions.
- Ensure risk-based evaluation prior to any deviation approval.
- Continuous Improvement
- Identify and lead quality-driven cost reduction initiatives.
- Develop and maintain Control Plans and PFMEAs.
- Embed preventive thinking across operations.
- Drive transition from inspection-based control to process capability.
Qualifications
- Minimum five (5) years' experience within an ISO 9001 certified manufacturing environment.
- Demonstrated experience leading internal audits and management review processes.
- Strong understanding of statistical analysis and process control methodologies.
- Proven problem-solving and root cause analysis capability.
- Experience interacting with customers and suppliers on technical quality matters.
- Engineering degree in Manufacturing, Industrial, Chemical, Ceramics or similar discipline; or equivalent experience.
Knowledge & Skills
- Thorough understanding of ISO 9001:2015 standards.
- Financial awareness relating to scrap, yield and cost of poor quality.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office applications.
- Ability to analyse data and present clear performance conclusions.
- Strong organisational and prioritisation skills.
- Ability to lead cross-functional improvement initiatives.
Key Performance Indicators
- Reduction in Cost of Poor Quality year-on-year.
- Reduction in customer complaint frequency and financial impact.
- Improvement in material yield percentage.
- Zero major non-conformities during external audits.
- Zero compliance breaches.
- Timely closure of corrective actions.
- Measurable reduction in process waste and scrap.
About Alkegen
Alkegen brings together two of the world's leading specialty materials companies to create one innovation-driven leader focused on battery technologies, filtration media, and specialty insulation and sealing materials. Through global reach and breakthrough invention, we deliver products that enable the world to breathe easier, live greener and go further than ever before. With more than 60 manufacturing facilities and over 9,000 employees worldwide, Alkegen is uniquely positioned to support customers in meaningful environmental and industrial applications. We offer dynamic career opportunities across engineering, operations, technical and leadership functions.
Quality Manager employer: Alkegen
Alkegen is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Derby where innovation meets sustainability. As a Quality Manager, you will be part of a collaborative leadership team dedicated to continuous improvement and compliance, with ample opportunities for professional growth and development. Our commitment to employee well-being and a culture of excellence ensures that you can thrive while contributing to meaningful projects that make a positive impact on the world.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Quality Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their values and how they align with your experience in quality management. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly gets what they're about.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your answers to common interview questions, especially those related to ISO standards and quality performance. Being able to articulate your experience clearly will show you're the right fit for the Quality Manager role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining our team at Alkegen.
We think you need these skills to ace Quality Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Quality Manager role. Highlight your experience with ISO 9001:2015 and any relevant achievements that showcase your leadership in quality management systems.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've driven continual improvement and reduced costs in previous positions, making it clear how you can add value to our team.
Showcase Your Skills:Don’t forget to highlight your strong analytical skills and experience with statistical analysis. We want to see how you’ve used these skills to solve problems and improve processes in your past roles.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves!
How to prepare for a job interview at Alkegen
✨Know Your ISO Standards
Make sure you brush up on ISO 9001:2015 standards before the interview. Be ready to discuss how you've implemented these standards in your previous roles and how you can ensure certification integrity at Alkegen.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare examples of how you've tackled quality issues in the past. Highlight your experience with root cause analysis and corrective actions, as this will demonstrate your capability to reduce the Cost of Poor Quality effectively.
✨Understand Financial Impacts
Familiarise yourself with the financial aspects related to quality management, such as scrap costs and material yield percentages. Being able to discuss how you’ve improved these metrics will show that you understand the business side of quality management.
✨Engage in Continuous Improvement
Be ready to talk about your experience with continuous improvement initiatives. Share specific examples where you've led projects that resulted in measurable improvements, as this aligns perfectly with the role's focus on driving quality-driven cost reductions.
