Quality Team Leader

Main Purpose of the Position

The Quality Team Leader is responsible for leading the quality team, assurance and control activities within the Rugby beverage can-making facility. This role ensures all production meets company, customer, and regulatory quality standards. The position maintains and improves the quality performance of the team, department and the site, whilst directing quality technicians, coordinating inspections and testing, managing quality documentation, and drives continuous improvement through data‑driven problem solving and adherence to FSSC 22000, GMP, and HACCP systems.

• Supervise daily quality inspection activities across all production areas, including Bodymaker, Decorator, Necker, and vision inspection systems (e.g., Pressco CPX).
• Ensure compliance with specifications for can dimensions, coating weight, decoration, and seam integrity.
• Oversee sampling and testing procedures for raw materials, in‑process cans, and finished products.
• Review SPC data and control charts; ensure corrective actions are implemented when trends or non‑conformities occur.
• Maintain traceability and proper documentation in accordance with FSSC 22000 and customer requirements.
• Verify calibration and functionality of inspection and measurement equipment.
• Oversee Customer proofing process in conjunction with Platemaking, Shift QA and Production Teams

• Use Plant systems such as PDS, SAP, Infinity and Production databases to aid problem solving, root cause analysis and traceability.

• Attend various Production, Planning & Quality meetings and deliver information data relevant to each meeting
• Planning/Implementing quality projects
• Attend Technical meetings
• Succession Planning & Training for the Quality Team
• Customer facing support and complaint handling
• Stock control and management of Quarantined materials

• Strong Empathetic People Leader
• Lead, coach, and develop a team of quality technicians and samplers.
• Conduct regular 1-2-1 sessions with Quality team and established clear development plans.
• Schedule and allocate team resources effectively across 5-shift operations.
• Conduct on-the-job training on quality inspection techniques, GMP, and safety.
• Promote a culture of accountability, teamwork, continuous improvement and sustainability
• Deliver Clear communication plans.

• Lead root cause analysis (RCA, A3s) and corrective/preventive actions (CAPA) for quality issues.
• Participate and lead, in cross‑functional problem‑solving with Production, Maintenance, and Engineering teams.
• Support quality‑related projects such as process capability improvement and defect reduction.
• Analyze quality data and prepare reports for management review (e.g., daily defect trends, non‑conformance reports) and draw clear and concise conclusions.
• Implement Sustainable Solutions within a multi‑shift continuous production site.

• Ensure adherence to HACCP, GMP, Allergen Control, and FSSC 22000 standards.
• Support internal and external audits (customer, certification, or regulatory).
• Review and update SOPs and OPLs, inspection checklists, and quality forms as needed.
• Participate in risk assessments and validation activities for new products or process changes.

Budgets Responsible for:
Yes - Quality Budget

Contacts within Ardagh:
All Production personnel

Contacts outside of the Company:
Customers / LRD (External Ardagh departments)

• Formal Quality qualification or demonstrable knowledge
• 5 GCSE’s or equivalent including Math’s and English
• Quality and Auditing related Qualifications
• Minimum 3–5 years’ experience in quality assurance/control, preferably in can‑making, metal packaging, or high‑speed manufacturing, FMCG.
• Proven Supervisory or team lead experience (Min 3 years)

• Food Safety qualification (FSSC/BRC)

• Strong understanding of SPC, Capability (CPK), MSA, and quality tools (5 Whys, Fishbone, FMEA).
• Working knowledge of FSSC 22000 or BRC, HACCP, GMP, and ISO 9001 systems.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and data…