QA & Compliance Manager

Intelliconnect is a leading manufacturer of coaxial RF connectors, adaptors, and cable assemblies, supplying products to market sectors such as Aerospace & Defence, Medical, Industrial and Cryogenics. As a rapidly growing business with an ambitious plan for future growth and investment.

This position is responsible for overseeing the management and continuous improvement of Intelliconnect's Quality Assurance (QA) processes, ensuring the highest level of product quality, compliance with industry standards, and the effective management of internal and external audits. The QA & Compliance Manager will lead and manage key areas including testing, calibration, non-conformance reporting, customer audits, and regulatory compliance.

This role can be based at either our Corby, Northamptonshire site or Witham, Essex site, with the expectation of regular travel between both locations. Additionally, the QA Manager will be required to visit our US site twice yearly, with additional visits as needed for key support activities.

What’s the actual job to be done?

• Manage the test room and calibration of all test & manufacturing equipment to ensure quality standards are maintained.
• Lead the NCR, RMA, and SCAR processes from start to finish, including the preparation of reports to customers and driving continuous improvement actions.
• Conduct and manage customer meetings and audits.
• Oversee ISO 9001, ISO 45001, ISO 14001, and AS9100 audits, including coordinating USA audits.
• Lead SC21 reviews and audits, ensuring that the required information, such as OTIF reports and CSIP, is accurately completed.
• Manage the JOSCAR certification process and compliance with company policies, including the ESG improvement process and trade compliance requests.
• Lead compliance with conflict materials legislation, ensuring that all related actions are taken in a timely and effective manner.

What’s the intended impact?

The QA & Compliance Manager will directly impact Intelliconnect's ability to maintain high-quality standards, achieve continuous process improvements, and maintain compliance with both customer requirements and regulatory frameworks. The role will contribute to resolving quality issues and reducing defects from reaching the test room and customers, ensuring greater customer satisfaction and operational efficiency.

What type of person are we looking for?

We are looking for an experienced and highly organised QA & Compliance Manager with a strong understanding of manufacturing and testing processes, along with a track record of driving quality and compliance improvements. This person should be proactive in identifying root causes of quality issues and implementing corrective actions.

What does success look like?

• Efficiently manage the quality assurance processes and the associated audits.
• Ensure a continuous reduction in quality issues reaching the test room and customers.
• Implement effective corrective and preventive actions based on non-conformances, customer feedback, and audit findings.
• Maintain a smooth-running test room and calibration processes that contribute to operational efficiency and compliance.
• Foster a culture of quality and compliance throughout the organisation.

What does this person care about?

• Ensuring high-quality standards in all aspects of production and testing.
• Meeting and exceeding customer expectations through quality assurance practices.
• Compliance with industry standards, regulations, and certifications.
• Root cause analysis and implementing improvements to drive long-term solutions.
• The success of the company and its continued adherence to quality and regulatory standards.

What skillsets is this person using?

• Quality Management: Strong experience in managing QA processes, audits, and corrective actions.
• Compliance & Regulations: In-depth knowledge of industry standards, including ISO9001, ISO45001, ISO14001, AS9100, REACH, RoHS, and conflict materials legislation.
• Root Cause Analysis: Ability to investigate quality issues and implement effective corrective and preventive actions.
• Audit Management: Experience leading internal and external audits, ensuring compliance with relevant standards and regulations.
• Project Management: Ability to lead and manage multiple initiatives and processes to drive continuous improvement.
• Customer Relations: Ability to engage with customers, address their concerns, and provide timely and effective solutions.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality Management, or a related field. Additional certifications in Quality Management or Health & Safety (e.g., ISO, Six Sigma) are a plus.

Experience: 5+ years of experience in Quality Assurance, with a focus on manufacturing and testing. Proven experience in managing audits, certifications, and compliance with ISO and other relevant standards. Demonstrated ability to manage non-conformance processes (NCR, RMA, SCAR) and customer-facing quality issues.

Knowledge: Working knowledge of ISO 9001, ISO 45001, ISO 14001, AS9100, and other regulatory frameworks. Knowledge of environmental, health, and safety regulations and the implementation of compliance programs (REACH, RoHS, ESG, trade compliance). Familiarity with SC21, JOSCAR, and conflict materials legislation.

Skills: Strong problem-solving and root cause analysis skills. Proficient in audit management and quality control processes. Ability to communicate complex quality and compliance information clearly to both internal teams and customers. Familiarity with quality management systems (QMS) and continuous improvement practices (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma).

Job Responsibilities

• Quality Assurance Management: Oversee the test room management, ensuring all test equipment is properly calibrated and maintained. Manage the NCR / RMA / SCAR processes, ensuring non-conformances are addressed with corrective and preventive actions. Lead customer meetings and audits, ensuring customer requirements are met and quality issues are resolved promptly.
• Compliance & Auditing: Ensure compliance with ISO9001, ISO45001, ISO14001, and AS9100 through regular internal and external audits. Oversee SC21 reviews and audits, ensuring all required documentation (OTIF, RELEX, MANEX, Enabler map, CSIP) is up-to-date. Manage JOSCAR certification and trade compliance requests.
• Regulatory & Environmental Management: Oversee the Environmental, Health & Safety programs and ensure legal compliance (REACH, RoHS). Manage the Environmental Aspects Register, ensuring risk assessments are conducted regularly. Investigate incidents and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
• Process Improvement & Root Cause Analysis: Investigate quality issues, conducting root cause analysis and driving continuous improvement actions to reduce defects and improve product quality. Develop and maintain a systematic process for addressing quality issues and escalating them as needed.
• Other Responsibilities: Assist with the generation, authorisation, and review of quality manuals and procedures. Facilitate management meetings, ensuring all relevant topics are discussed and actions are followed up. Serve as the designated Health and Safety competent person, ensuring all safety-related regulations are adhered to. Other responsibilities, initiatives and ad-hoc projects as required.

Internal and External Relationships

Work closely with Procurement, Manufacturing, Engineering, and Senior Management to ensure quality standards are maintained. Collaborate with regulatory bodies, customers, and suppliers to ensure compliance with quality and environmental regulations.