Location: Watford, Hertfordshire
Full-Time, Permanent
Salary: Circa £60,000
Hours: Monday–Thursday 7:45–16:45, Friday 7:45–12:45
Benefits: Standard pension, early finish Fridays
The Opportunity
A well-established and growing subcontract precision engineering business (circa 35 employees) is seeking a Quality Manager to lead its quality function.
The company supplies high-precision CNC machined components into highly regulated sectors, including aerospace and defence, and is looking for a hands-on leader to drive quality standards, improve systems, and embed a right-first-time culture across the shopfloor.
You will take full ownership of Quality and lead a small team of:
Quality Engineer
Goods In / Out Inspector
Inspector
The Role
This is a key leadership position within the business, responsible for maintaining and developing the Quality Management System while acting as the escalation point for all quality-related matters.
You will be highly visible across the operation, working closely with Production and Engineering to ensure processes are robust, repeatable, and aligned to customer and regulatory requirements.
Key Responsibilities
Lead and continuously improve the Quality Management System in line with AS9100/ISO standards
Manage internal, customer, and third-party audits, ensuring effective and timely close-out of actions
Act as the escalation point for non-conformances, leading root cause analysis (8D, 5 Why, Fishbone) and corrective actions
Oversee all inspection and verification activities, including FAIRs, production inspection, and CMM/metrology capability
Implement and drive key quality metrics including scrap, rework, customer returns, and OTIF performance
Manage supplier quality, ensuring compliance, traceability, and flow-down of requirements
Maintain robust document control and quality record systems
Work cross-functionally to ensure manufacturing processes are stable, measurable, and repeatable
Drive continuous improvement and introduce more effective, data-driven and digital quality processes
Promote a strong quality culture through leadership, coaching, and shopfloor engagement
About You
Proven experience as a Quality Manager within CNC machining or precision engineering
Strong knowledge of FAIR/FAI, traceability, non-conformance systems, and metrology
Able to read and interpret engineering drawings and GD&T
Experience working within AS9100 or similarly regulated environments
Confident communicator, able to engage with shopfloor teams, customers, and auditors
Hands-on, pragmatic approach with a focus on continuous improvement
Desirable
Lead or Internal Auditor qualification (ISO9001 / AS9100)
Engineering qualification (HNC / HND / Degree)
Experience with Lean or Six Sigma
Background in aerospace, defence, or other regulated industries
Why Apply
Senior role with full ownership of the quality function
Stable SME environment with strong industry positioning
Opportunity to make a visible impact and drive improvements
Close-knit team with real autonomy
Early finish every Friday
If you are a hands-on Quality Manager looking for a role where you can genuinely influence standards, systems, and culture, apply now
Salary description
£55000.00 - £60000.00 per year