DNA Quality and Compliance Manager in Warrington

To manage the Quality performance of the DNA teams across sites and to drive a high quality culture whilst developing and supporting the BU Quality Champions and ASM(s). This role is based in Birchwood, Warrington, with regular travel required to Lambeth, London.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities

• Ensure procedures, processes and systems comply with the Quality Management System, including maintenance of SOPs/WIs and associated documentation.
• Prepare for UKAS assessments and act as DNA SPOC for external auditors & Q&C team.
• Review and consolidate DNA actions from UKAS audits.
• Analyse trends in quality performance to ensure issues are resolved in a timely manner and to continually improve.
• Participate in the annual audit schedule, including timely completion of actions.
• Develop a robust system to manage individual quality performance, fostering a culture of responsibility and ownership.
• Promptly communicate quality, health and safety, security, and environmental incidents or near‑misses via the Q&C SharePoint site.
• Ensure completion of incident reports and low level incidents, identifying root causes, implementing actions promptly, and assessing effectiveness within agreed timescales.
• Serve as the main point of contact for departmental investigations and work with the lead investigator to ensure root cause identification and prompt action implementation.
• Measure and report quality and H&S performance through developed KPIs.
• Troubleshoot adverse performance trends, such as repeat incidents, and implement appropriate improvement actions.
• Manage environmental monitoring.
• Professionally manage internal and external relationships and day‑to‑day communications with all stakeholders to create a positive and professional image.
• Develop and maintain competency systems and training programmes to meet accreditation requirements.
• Attend customer/stakeholder meetings if required.
• Promote a quality and continuous improvement culture – provide evidence of relevant initiatives/strategies to support this aim.
• Maintain knowledge of the direction, services, and products of the business.

Qualifications

• Experience in DNA quality and understanding of key issues in relation to Quality, Health and Safety.
• Quality champion.
• Excellent understanding of the EFS Quality System (internal only).
• Demonstrable understanding of ISO 17020, ISO 17025, and Regulators Code of Practice.
• Experience of 8D and root cause analysis.

Preferred Knowledge, Experience and Technical Skills

• FMEA training and analysis.
• Audit training.
• Experience in leading projects or method development.
• LEAN training.

Behaviours

• Operate within the company’s core values and demonstrate these in the day‑to‑day role.
• Takes personal responsibility for the quality of work completed by the team.
• Accountability and integrity.
• Excellent communication skills, able to develop positive working relationships at all levels.
• Able to manage a flexible workload; shows good organisational skills and high levels of personal resilience; able to work to deadlines under pressure.
• Promotes cooperation and commitment within a team to achieve goals and deliverables.
• Able to lead and influence others at all levels.
• Stays focused on tasks despite distractions and obstacles; shows determination in the face of adversity to find the best way to succeed.
• Actively implements methods of improving quality systems and processes.
• Acts as an agent for change.
• Natural problem solver.
• Communicates and works co‑operatively with others, focusing on a collective rather than individual goal.
• Demonstrates a strong drive for high quality output.
• Sets the highest standards and always delivers more than is required.
• Acts as a role model for the team.
• Challenges people in constructive ways.
• Implements decisions quickly and effectively.
• Takes ownership of challenges and sees them to completion.
• Responsible for thinking about SOPs, customer operating protocols, validation/verification documents and providing continuous improvement ideas to relevant parties.

Additional Information

Due to the sensitive nature of our work, this role requires a successful candidate to achieve NPPV3 + Security Clearance (SC). To be eligible, you must have 5 years’ continuous UK residency. As part of the vetting process, you’ll be asked to provide information about your background, including your employment and address history, financial circumstances and details of close family or partners. These checks are carried out to ensure individuals accessing police data, systems and sites are trustworthy and suitable for the role. Factors such as criminal convictions, financial difficulties or associations that may pose a risk could affect your ability to gain clearance. Each application is assessed on an individual basis, and honesty throughout the process is essential.

Vetting is carried out by an external police vetting service. Drug and alcohol testing may be required before you start and during your employment. Ongoing employment is subject to maintaining the required level of clearance.

What We Offer

• 25 days annual leave + bank holidays (rising to 30 days with length of service)
• Company pension scheme with up to 6% employer contribution
• Life assurance (3x salary)
• Health Cash Plan & Employee Assistance Programme
• Enhanced family leave and sick pay
• Perkbox benefits, discounts and wellbeing support
• Cycle to Work scheme, tech scheme & volunteering days
• Holiday trading (buy/sell) scheme
• Refer a Friend scheme
• Free on‑site parking (site dependant)