Quality Manager

Location: Nursling

About CCST CCST is a UK manufacturer of carbon-ceramic brake discs, supplying performance and motor sport markets. Our process runs through chemical vapour infiltration, or CVI, and it lives or dies on uptime. When a machine stops, the plan stops. That's why this role matters. The role We need a Quality Manager to be responsible for leading and continually improving the Quality Management System (QMS) to ensure compliance with customer requirements, automotive industry standards, and regulatory obligations.

The role will drive quality excellence throughout the organisation, ensuring products meet or exceed customer expectations while maintaining compliance with IATF 16949 , ISO 9001, and customer-specific requirements. The Quality Manager will lead internal quality teams, manage customer and supplier quality activities, support operational performance, and promote a culture of continuous improvement across the business. What you'll be doing - Quality Management System (QMS) Maintain, develop, and improve the company's Quality Management System in accordance with IATF 16949, ISO 9001, and customer-specific requirements.

Ensure ongoing compliance through effective management of policies, procedures, and quality documentation. Lead and coordinate external certification, customer, and regulatory audits. Manage internal audit programmes and ensure timely closure of audit findings. Monitor and report on quality performance metrics and KPIs. Customer Quality Act as the primary quality contact for customers. Manage customer complaints and warranty issues using structured problem-solving methodologies.

Lead root cause investigations using tools such as: 8D 5 Why Ishikawa (Fishbone) PDCA Ensure effective containment, corrective actions, and preventive measures are implemented. Support customer visits, audits, and quality reviews. Supplier Quality Work closely with suppliers to improve quality performance and reduce non-conformances. Manage supplier quality issues and corrective action processes. Support supplier audits, assessments, and development activities. Monitor supplier performance through agreed KPIs and scorecards.

Operational Quality Drive continuous improvement initiatives to reduce waste, defects, and variation. Support manufacturing teams in achieving production quality targets. Ensure robust implementation of core quality tools including: APQP PPAP FMEA MSA SPC Control Plans Lead quality risk assessments and ensure effective mitigation strategies are in place. Leadership & Team Management Lead, coach, and develop the quality team to achieve departmental objectives.

Promote a culture of quality, accountability, and continuous improvement throughout the business. Deliver training and awareness programmes relating to quality standards and customer requirements. Collaborate with cross-functional teams including Operations, Engineering, Purchasing, and Supply Chain. Compliance & Continuous Improvement Ensure compliance with all relevant legal, customer, environmental, and health & safety requirements. Analyse quality data and identify opportunities for process improvement.

Lead Lean and Six Sigma initiatives where applicable. Support new product introduction activities and customer launches.

About you:

Essential Experience Proven experience in a Quality Manager position within a manufacturing automotive environment . Extensive experience working with IATF 16949 standards and audits. Strong knowledge of automotive quality core tools (APQP, PPAP, FMEA, MSA, SPC). Experience managing customer quality requirements for major OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers. Demonstrated success leading quality improvement initiatives and root cause investigations. Experience managing certification and customer audits.

Leadership experience managing and developing teams. Essential Qualifications Degree or equivalent qualification in Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, or related discipline. Lead Auditor qualification (IATF 16949 and/or ISO 9001). Strong working knowledge of automotive manufacturing processes. Desirable Qualifications Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt. Lean Manufacturing qualification. CQI membership or equivalent professional qualification. Skills & Competencies Excellent knowledge of IATF 16949 requirements.

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Effective leadership and team management capability. Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills. Customer-focused approach. Strong organisational and project management skills. Ability to influence and drive change across all levels of the organisation. If this is something that sounds interesting to you, and you have the relevant skills and experience, please click 'apply'