Lead Quality Engineer – Manufacturing

About the role

We are seeking a Lead Quality Engineer to join our state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Essex. The role combines strategic quality leadership with hands-on support for day-to-day production, ensuring our European brand maintains the highest standards for customers and suppliers.

Key responsibilities

• Lead all quality-related activities across manufacturing, engineering and supply-chain functions.
• Maintain and continuously improve the Quality Management System in line with ISO 9001:2015 and customer requirements.
• Investigate customer complaints, non-conformances and warranty issues, driving robust corrective and preventive actions.
• Support production teams with root-cause analysis and problem-solving to resolve quality issues.
• Act as the primary quality contact for customers, facilitating audits and quality reviews.
• Plan and conduct internal audits and support external certification and customer audits.
• Manage supplier quality activities, including non-conformance investigations and corrective actions.
• Lead new product introductions through PFMEA, control plans, process validation and PPAP activities.
• Drive continuous-improvement projects aimed at reducing defects and enhancing process capability.

Required profile

• Significant experience in a manufacturing quality role, preferably in a fast-growing environment.
• Hands-on approach with the ability to balance strategic improvement and daily operational support.
• Strong communication skills to work with leadership, customers and suppliers.
• Proven track record of leading investigations, audits and continuous-improvement initiatives.

Required skills

• ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System
• PFMEA and Control Plans
• Process Validation and PPAP
• Root Cause Analysis and CAPA
• Internal and External Auditing
• Supplier Quality Management

What we offer

• Competitive salary – dependent on experience.
• 25 days annual leave plus pension scheme.
• Death-in-service benefit and employee assistance wellbeing programme.