Technical Quality Manager in Abingdon

We are currently recruiting for a Technical Quality Manager to join our client based in Abingdon.

Key Responsibilities

• Quality Management
  • Develop, maintain and continually improve the Quality Management System.
  • Ensure manufacturing processes consistently produce products that meet company and customer quality standards.
  • Create, maintain and review quality procedures, inspection records and manufacturing documentation.
  • Carry out product inspections throughout manufacture rather than solely at final assembly.
  • Manage incoming goods inspection where appropriate.
  • Ensure full traceability of materials and components.
  • Investigate quality issues and implement effective corrective and preventative actions (CAPA).
  • Analyse quality data and identify trends to reduce defects and improve performance.
  • Lead internal quality audits and support external customer or certification audits.
  • Promote a quality-first culture across the business.
• Bespoke Project Quality
  • Work closely with Engineering and Production during the development of bespoke lighting solutions by:
  • Reviewing bespoke designs prior to manufacture.
  • Identifying potential manufacturing or assembly risks before production begins.
  • Ensuring all custom parts are compatible and correctly specified.
  • Confirming purchased components meet design requirements.
  • Reviewing bills of materials for completeness and accuracy.
  • Ensuring machining, fabrication and finishing requirements are achievable.
  • Participating in design reviews for complex projects.
  • Producing inspection plans for unique customer projects.
  • Carrying out first article inspections on new products.
  • Supporting prototype builds and validation testing.
  • Ensuring bespoke assemblies can be manufactured consistently and efficiently.
• Production Support
  • Work alongside production teams to improve manufacturing processes.
  • Identify opportunities to reduce waste and rework.
  • Assist with root cause analysis of production issues and component suitability.
  • Develop quality checkpoints throughout assembly processes.
  • Support production staff with technical quality guidance.
  • Ensure production documentation accurately reflects current manufacturing methods.
  • Introduce mistake-proofing (Poka-Yoke) where appropriate.
  • Support implementation of lean manufacturing principles.
• Supplier Quality
  • Work closely with Purchasing to improve supplier performance.
  • Develop supplier quality standards.
  • Assess supplier quality issues and drive corrective actions.
  • Approve new suppliers from a quality perspective.
  • Monitor supplier performance and component quality.
  • Reduce supplier-related quality problems.
• Testing & Compliance
  • Ensure products comply with relevant standards and specifications.
  • Support product validation and verification testing.
  • Maintain calibration records for measuring equipment.
  • Assist with product compliance documentation.
  • Support ongoing product reliability improvements.
• Continuous Improvement
  • Drive continuous improvement initiatives across manufacturing.
  • Reduce warranty claims and production defects.
  • Improve manufacturing consistency.
  • Standardise best practice.
  • Lead lessons learned reviews following major projects.
  • Develop KPIs and report quality performance to senior management.

Key Performance Indicators

• Reduction in manufacturing defects.
• Reduction in customer quality issues.
• Reduction in rework hours.
• First-time pass rate.
• On-time resolution of quality issues.
• Supplier quality performance.
• Audit compliance.
• Customer satisfaction.
• Continuous improvement implementation.

Skills & Experience

Essential

• Previous experience in a Quality Assurance or Quality Management role within manufacturing.
• Strong understanding of quality systems and continuous improvement.
• Experience working with bespoke or engineered products.
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings and technical documentation.
• Strong communication skills.
• Excellent organisational skills.
• Hands-on approach with attention to detail.
• Experience investigating root causes and implementing corrective actions.
• Competent with relevant software packages such as AutoCad.

Desirable

• Experience within lighting, electronics or electrical manufacturing.
• Knowledge of ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems.
• Lean Manufacturing experience.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems.
• Understanding of DALI, emergency lighting or LED manufacturing.
• Familiarity with Revit and Solidworks.

Personal Attributes

• Takes pride in delivering exceptional quality.
• Is proactive rather than reactive.
• Enjoys solving technical challenges.
• Works collaboratively across departments.
• Has excellent attention to detail.
• Can influence and coach colleagues.
• Is organised and methodical.
• Is comfortable working in both office and production environments.
• Has a continuous improvement mindset.