Quality Manager

Location: Lambeth, however expected to travel within the London area based on operational needs.

The Met serves London 24/7, and Forensic Services supports that work day in, day out to keep us one step ahead of crime. It's our task to keep over 8 million Londoners safe, and you'll have a key part to play in that. This is because as a Quality Manager, you'll make sure this crucial area meets the requirements of the Statutory Forensic Science Regulator's Code of Practice.

Whether you're a Quality Manager at the moment or an experienced Lead Auditor, this is your chance to move into the fascinating arena of public safety and security in the capital. You'll be part of a team of Quality Managers who are designing, building, maintaining and continuously improving a Quality Management System (QMS) to cover all Forensic Science activities. It not only has to meet International Standards and the needs of Forensic Services, but also the requirements set by the Forensic Science Regulator.

This role will put you right at the heart of it all. You'll plan and prioritise areas for improvement against strategic business objectives. You'll deal with a wide range of stakeholders, including the Home Office, Accreditation and certification bodies as well as the Senior Leadership Team. You'll manage Quality Systems Auditors and inspire Forensic technical staff to shape and deliver the QMS. You'll give expert advice, provide leadership and represent the MPS at a National level. Clearly, your communication, organisation and strategy skills are going to be key.

You must also be an articulate Lead Auditor with proven experience in Quality Management, who has designed or at least contributed to building a QMS and developed in-depth knowledge of relevant international Standards. You’ll bring us your ability to understand and interpret Standards in order to determine the most appropriate implementation methodology. You will also have a good knowledge of recognised Quality Management tools and techniques. It would be ideal if you have line management experience as well.

The role holder will be required to:

• Provide a DNA sample and fingerprints for inclusion on the staff elimination databases.
• Agree to abide by the MPS Standards of Conduct.
• Understand and accept the core principles set out in the H&S Policy in relation to your role, duties and responsibilities and implement those principles and requirements in day-to-day activities.
• Demonstrate effective visible safety leadership, understand H&S policy and lead compliance within area of responsibility.
• Implement the principles and requirements of H&S policy in your day to day activities and within the teams you work/manage.
• Encourage open dialogue and feedback on safety issues.
• Work within the Forensic Service Quality Management System and actively contribute to the continuous improvement of the system by participating in quality assurance activities, engaging in internal and external audits, competence and proficiency tests, reporting non-conformances and proposing changes to improve the system.
• Comply with the requirements of the Metropolitan Police Service policies on Drug and Alcohol testing (substance misuse).
• Understand and accept the personal responsibility to protect and maintain the confidentiality of all Met information and any intellectual property.
• Participate in occupational health requirements.
• Comply with security policies.
• Comply with mandatory training requirements.
• Comply with and promote Metropolitan Police Service policies on diversity and inclusion both in the delivery of services and the treatment of others.

Application Process: Those successful at the initial sift stage will be invited to attend an interview which will be assessed against all six elements of the Competency and Values Framework (CVF) and the Met Value 'Respect'. There will also be a pre-interview work-sample exercise, details of which will be provided on the day.

Essential:

• Previous experience in auditing as a lead auditor.
• Previous experience of contributing to the design, implementation, maintenance and improvement of a quality management system.
• In-depth knowledge of international Standards (including ISO 9001, ISO 17025, ISO 17020) with the ability to understand and interpret Standards in order to determine the most appropriate methodology for implementation.
• Knowledge in the effective use of recognised Quality Management tools and techniques.
• Experience of managing or actively contributing to third party assessments.
• The ability to build relationships with staff and management at all levels across the organisation.
• The ability to communicate effectively to senior managers and at all levels, verbally and in written format through report writing, training, mentoring, presentations, and meetings.
• The ability to devise, formulate and communicate strategies to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and continuous improvements in quality culture.
• Experience of presenting papers and reports to senior managers.
• Ability to manage resources.
• Ability to effectively manage time and work under pressure.
• Competent IT user e.g., Microsoft Office and Outlook.
• Confidence to work solo or as part of a team.
• Good analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage customer expectation.

Desirable:

• Chartered status of a recognised Quality Professional Institute.
• Previous line management experience.

Disability Confident Statement: The Met is committed to being an equitable (fair and impartial) and inclusive employer for disabled people, striving to have a diverse and representative workforce at all levels. We encourage applications from people from the widest possible range of backgrounds, cultures and experiences. We particularly welcome applications from people with disabilities and long-term conditions, ethnic minority groups and women.