Quality Manager in Bedlington

ALTEN is a global engineering and technology consultancy operating across over 35 countries worldwide. We partner with industry leaders across sectors including Aeronautics, Aerospace, Defence, Naval, Automotive, Energy, Rail, IT and many more to deliver innovative engineering solutions that drive technological advancement and support sustainable transformation.

As a Quality Manager, you will join our team to support advanced electronics and micro‑electronics manufacturing activities within highly regulated, safety‑critical environments. You will be responsible for leading and developing a robust Quality Management System aligned to AS9100, driving continuous improvement and operational excellence across a flagship manufacturing site operating within ISO Class 6 and Class 7 cleanroom environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, maintain and continuously improve the Quality Management System in line with AS9100 certification and regulatory requirements.
• Define and deliver quality objectives and improvement strategies aligned with business and customer goals.
• Chair Management Review meetings, ensuring QMS effectiveness and identifying improvement opportunities.
• Lead, mentor and develop the Quality function, fostering a high‑performance and continuous improvement culture.
• Own and drive reduction of Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ), customer complaints and recurring non‑conformances.
• Implement and govern process and product control methodologies including PFMEA, Control Plans, SPC, MSA, PPAP, Layered Process Audits and Finished Goods Audits.
• Conduct and manage internal audits, supplier audits and customer audits to ensure ongoing compliance.
• Lead structured corrective and preventive actions using 8D, mistake proofing and root cause analysis.
• Manage supplier quality and incoming materials, ensuring robust supplier compliance.
• Oversee regulatory compliance including RoHS, REACH, CMRT and EMRT, communicating changes internally and externally.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma, PDCA and Kaizen methodologies.
• Support Industry 4.0 and digital transformation initiatives within quality systems and reporting.
• Collaborate closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, HSE, Finance and Customer‑facing teams.
• Manage departmental budgets, cost control and forecasting activities.

Required Skills

• Extensive experience in a Quality Manager or senior quality leadership role within electronics manufacturing.
• Experience working in high‑mix / low‑to‑medium volume manufacturing environments.
• Strong working knowledge of AS9100, with exposure to ISO 9000 / TS16949 / QS9000.
• Proven background in Aerospace and Defence and/or Automotive quality environments.
• Hands‑on experience with quality tools: FMEA, SPC, 8D, MSA, PPAP.
• Experience leading audits (internal, supplier and customer).
• Practical knowledge of ERP systems, ideally SAP.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or a related technical discipline (preferred).
• Six Sigma Black Belt and/or Lean certification (highly desirable).
• Strong background in regulated or safety‑critical manufacturing environments.

Desirable Skills

• Experience working within ISO Class 6 or Class 7 cleanroom environments.
• Exposure to digital quality systems and automation.
• Strong coaching, influencing and senior stakeholder management capability.
• Experience driving cultural change through continuous improvement.

Additional Information

We bring together entrepreneurial, tech-driven people to deliver innovative solutions for leading companies. At ALTEN, you’ll work on exciting projects, supported by ongoing learning, mentoring, and clear career development tailored to your goals. Join a passionate team and help build tomorrow, today.

In short you get:

• A personalised career path and a rewarding management style.
• A huge diversity of engineering projects and industries.
• Private Medical Insurance.
• Cycle and Tech Scheme.
• Employee assistance programme.
• Life insurance and Pension Scheme.
• Social atmosphere, regular gatherings and team buildings.
• Flexible way of working (role dependent).

We are proud to support the Armed Forces Covenant and actively encourage applications from members of the Armed Forces community, including veterans, reservists, service leavers, and military spouses/partners. We recognise the value of military skills and experience and are committed to ensuring that no applicant is unfairly disadvantaged during our recruitment and selection processes. ALTEN is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and values the strength that comes from a global mix of backgrounds and perspectives. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates, regardless of background or protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010.

If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know. This role may require you to have or be willing to go through Security Clearance. As part of the onboarding process candidates will be asked to complete a Baseline Personnel Security Standard; details of the evidence required to apply may be found on the government website Gov.UK. If you are unable to meet this and any associated criteria, then your employment may be delayed, or rejected. Details of this will be discussed with you at interview.