Quality Manager

We now have a fantastic opportunity for a Quality Manager to join the Operations team on a full-time basis.

Responsible for driving daily quality excellence within manufacturing operations and fostering a strong quality-focused culture across the organisation. This role develops, implements, and maintains robust quality systems to ensure compliance with defence industry standards, regulatory requirements, and customer specifications. Ensures all products and processes consistently meet stringent quality, safety, and reliability standards critical to operational success.

Responsibilities:

Quality Management System (QMS) & Compliance

• Support and implement the Quality Management System, including delivery of regular management reviews.
• Work within but not limited to ISO 9001, 14001, 45001 guidelines.
• Maintain Capability Approval and manage re-approval processes.
• Implement corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) to address non-conformances.

Audits & Governance

• Own Company audit plans and ensure delivery against plan.
• Support supplier audits and follow up actions supporting wider team.
• Sign off the completion of all contract quality deliverables and Certificates of Conformance.

Supplier & Supply Chain Quality

• Ensure suppliers meet quality requirements.
• Manage the flow down of quality requirements to supply chain.

Customer & Contract Requirements

• Analyse, understand & deliver customer contract quality requirements.
• Build relationships and networks with Customers’ Quality Representatives.

Inspection, Testing & Control

• Oversee inspection and testing processes for incoming materials, in-process production, and final products.
• Ensure traceability and documentation for all components and assemblies.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma, and root cause analysis methodologies.

Metrics, Reporting & Board Communication

• Monitor and report on key quality metrics and performance indicators.
• Create and deliver quality reports and recommendations to the Board.

Culture, Training & Capability

• Champion a culture of quality across all levels of the organisation, ensuring that quality is embedded in every process and decision.
• Act as a role model for quality excellence, promoting accountability and continuous improvement.
• Provide training and guidance on quality standards and best practices across the organisation.

• HND or minimum Level 5 equivalent qualification in Quality Management
• Experience in a Quality Manager role in an electro-mechanical manufacturing environment
• Experience of working in the defence sector is advantageous
• Deep understanding of quality management systems and standards
• Leadership skills; an ability to motivate, drive and support employees to deliver objectives
• Resilience and strength in the face of challenge
• Experience of introducing and auditing against accreditation standards.
• Experience of Business Process improvement, Root Cause Analysis, and Lean Six Sigma methodologies
• Strong analytical & Excel skills and a keen eye for detail
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; an ability to influence and collaborate effectively with others is essential
• An understanding and experience of using an ERP system; an understanding of the use of software tools for quality management
• An ability to engage at the most senior levels on Quality related issues
• An ability to remain calm under pressure and manage a full workload
• Conscientious with a deep desire to maintain our ethical standards.

Please be aware that many roles working for SMI will be subject to security restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors including your nationality, any previous nationalities you have held, and/or your place of birth may limit those roles that you can perform for the organisation.

Although the Final date to receive applications is the end of January, we reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we find the ideal candidate.

• Opening Date: 1 January 2026
• Final date to receive applications: 31 January 2026

To apply for the available roles, send your CV to recruitment up with a covering letter outlining what you believe you could bring to the role, along with your salary expectations.