Senior SQA Team Leader

Job type: Permanent
Location: Wrightbus
Closing date: Tuesday 07 Jul :00
"We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications from suitably qualified and experienced candidates. We therefore encourage early applications."
All applicants must hold valid right to work in the UK. Please be aware that we are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position now or in the future.
The

Job Summary:

Wrightbus is Europe's fastest-growing production company. The Senior SQA Team Leader manages supplier quality, driving performance, supporting launches, and ensuring compliance to deliver zero defects and minimise non-conformances.

The Role:

• Lead, mentor & manage the Supplier Quality team of Engineers & Technicians, providing direction and coaching.
• Collaborate with the SQA Manager to define and deploy supplier quality strategy aligned with business and customer requirements
• Own supplier quality performance across multiple commodities.
• Lead supplier selection, qualification, and ongoing performance management
• Support new product launches and ensure supplier readiness
• Lead and govern ISIR submissions and parts approvals
• Own & Manage Goods inwards inspection processes
• Lead high-impact supplier escalations and crisis management activities
• Drive supplier corrective actions using structured problem-solving methodologies (8D, 5 Why, etc.)
• Conduct and oversee supplier process and system audits
• Partner with Procurement on supplier sourcing decisions and risk assessments
• Develop supplier improvement roadmaps in collaboration with the Supplier development team
• Monitor and report supplier quality KPIs to senior leadership
• Ensure compliance with Quality Management System requirements (ISO 9001:2015)
• Lead cross-functional reviews for supplier-related risks and mitigation plans
• Standardize supplier quality processes across sites
• Identify and lead continuous improvement projects
• Collaborate with Procurement, Engineering, Manufacturing, and Logistics teams
• Collaborate with Warranty team on supplier-related customer complaints and warranty issues
• Support cost recovery for supplier-related issues.

• One of the following:5 GCSE's grade C and above including Maths/Time served tradesperson through technical apprenticeship/HNC engineering or related subject or equivalent/Work experience demonstrating capacity to learn and develop new skills, complete written and numerical work required by the Job Description
• Minimum 5 years' experience in Quality role in a manufacturing industry Or Minimum 2 years' experience in Quality role in a in a highly regulated industry such as Automotive or Aerospace /Minimum 2-year experience in a Supervisory role.
• Structured problem-solving methodologies (8D, PPS, DMAIC)
• Auditing skills
• Knowledge of Manufacturing processes, Inspection and test methods relevant to scope of responsibility
• Data analysis skills including statistical methods
• Understanding of relevant quality standards such as ISO 9001, IATF 16949 or AS9001