At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead safety, quality, and environmental standards in rail vehicle operations.
- Company: Dynamic heavy industry leader focused on rail, energy, and automotive sectors.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, and the chance to influence company-wide standards.
- Why this job: Shape safety and quality culture while making a real impact in the industry.
- Qualifications: Experience in senior SQE roles and strong understanding of safety-critical environments.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for professional development and leadership influence.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
Location: Midlands (with travel to depots/sites as required)
Reporting to: Managing Director
Working with: Executive & Senior Leadership Team
Sector: Heavy Industry - Rail, Energy, Automotive or Manufacturing
Role Purpose
The SQE Lead will be responsible for leading and embedding best-in-class Safety, Quality and Environmental standards across the organisation's rail vehicle overhaul and maintenance operations. This is a senior, influential role working closely with the leadership team to shape, govern, and continuously improve company-wide SQE frameworks, ensuring compliance with rail industry regulations while driving a proactive safety and quality culture. The role will act as the custodian of standards, ensuring that safety and quality are integral to operational delivery, business growth, and client confidence.
Key Responsibilities
- Safety Leadership
- Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of the company's safety management system.
- Ensure compliance with relevant rail industry standards, legislation, and regulatory requirements (e.g. ROGS, HSWA, RSSB guidance).
- Act as the principal authority on safety matters, providing expert advice to the leadership team.
- Promote a strong, positive safety culture across all depots and functions.
- Lead accident, incident, and near-miss investigations, ensuring robust root cause analysis and corrective actions.
- Oversee risk assessments, method statements, and safe systems of work.
- Quality Management
- Own and continuously improve the company's Quality Management System.
- Ensure maintenance, overhaul, and modification activities meet contractual, regulatory, and customer requirements.
- Drive right-first-time delivery through audits, inspections, and performance monitoring.
- Lead internal and external audits, including customer and certification body audits.
- Manage non-conformances, corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Environmental Management
- Oversee environmental compliance and performance across operations.
- Support the development and implementation of environmental objectives and sustainability initiatives.
- Ensure environmental risks are identified, controlled, and monitored effectively.
- Leadership & Strategic Influence
- Work collaboratively with the Executive and Senior Leadership Team to shape company standards and strategy.
- Influence operational decision-making to ensure safety and quality are embedded at all levels.
- Provide regular SQE performance reporting, KPIs, and trend analysis to leadership.
- Support business growth by ensuring SQE capability aligns with new contracts, depots, and services.
Skills & Experience
Essential
- Significant experience in a senior SQE, Safety, or Quality role within heavy industry.
- Strong understanding of safety critical environments.
- Proven experience developing and leading safety and quality management systems.
- Demonstrable ability to influence senior stakeholders and drive cultural change.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
Qualifications
- NEBOSH Diploma (or equivalent) or strong rail safety qualification.
- Lead Auditor qualification (ISO 9001 essential).
- ISO 14001 and/or ISO 45001 Lead Auditor.
- Rail-specific safety or quality certifications.
- Chartered status (CMIOSH or equivalent).
Supplier Quality Engineer in Loughborough employer: Infinitive Resources
Contact Detail:
Infinitive Resources Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Supplier Quality Engineer in Loughborough
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry professionals on LinkedIn or attend local events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that Supplier Quality Engineer role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its safety and quality standards. We recommend practising common interview questions related to SQE roles so you can showcase your expertise and confidence when it counts.
✨Tip Number 3
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in keeping you top of mind. We suggest mentioning something specific from your conversation to show your genuine interest in the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities that might be perfect for you. Plus, applying directly can sometimes give you an edge over other candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace Supplier Quality Engineer in Loughborough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Supplier Quality Engineer role. Highlight your experience in safety and quality management systems, especially in heavy industry. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
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 influenced safety culture or led quality improvements in previous positions. We love a good story!
Showcase Relevant Qualifications: Don’t forget to mention your qualifications like the NEBOSH Diploma or Lead Auditor certifications. These are key for us, so make them stand out in your application. We want to know you’re qualified to lead our SQE efforts!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss any important updates. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Infinitive Resources
✨Know Your Safety Standards
Make sure you brush up on the relevant rail industry standards and legislation, like ROGS and HSWA. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you’re not just familiar with them but can also lead their implementation effectively.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've influenced safety and quality culture in previous roles. Think about specific situations where you led initiatives or drove change, as this will demonstrate your capability to work with senior leadership teams.
✨Be Ready for Problem-Solving Questions
Expect questions that assess your analytical and decision-making skills. Prepare to discuss past challenges you've faced in safety or quality management and how you resolved them, focusing on your thought process and the outcomes.
✨Highlight Continuous Improvement Initiatives
Discuss any experience you have with audits, inspections, or managing non-conformances. Be ready to explain how you’ve driven continuous improvement in safety and quality management systems, as this aligns perfectly with the role's responsibilities.