Quality Engineer

Quality Engineer
Tamworth
Days

SF Engineering are recruiting for a Quality Engineer to join our leading manufacturing client based in Tamworth.

ROLE PURPOSE

The Quality Engineer is responsible for ensuring right‑first‑time delivery of quality goods, driving OTIF (On‑Time In‑Full) performance through robust preventative quality measures, effective implementation of the Quality Management System (QMS), and strong cross‑functional coordination.
This role is heavily focused on process alignment, risk prevention, and structured problem‑solving, ensuring that quality is designed into products and processes rather than inspected. The Quality Engineer will work closely with Production, Engineering, Purchasing, and employees to reduce variation, identify and eliminate root causes of non‑conformance, and embed continuous improvement across the business.

QUALITY ENGINEER KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Quality Management System (Quality & ISO 9001)
- Implement, maintain, and continuously improve the Quality Management System in line with ISO 9001 requirements.
- Ensure quality processes are fully aligned across departments, from order intake through manufacture to delivery.
- Coordinate internal audits, support external audits, and track corrective and preventative actions to closure.
- Maintain control of quality documentation including procedures, work instructions, process maps, and records.
- Support management reviews by providing clear, data‑driven quality performance insights.

2. Preventative Quality & Process Assurance
- Drive a preventative quality mindset, focusing on defect prevention rather than detection.
- Lead process risk assessments (e.g. process mapping, FMEA‑style thinking) to identify and mitigate quality risks early.
- Work with Engineering and Production to ensure new and existing processes are capable, controlled, and standardised.
- Define and implement in‑process controls to ensure consistent product quality and flow.

3. OTIF & Customer Quality Performance
- Actively support OTIF delivery by ensuring quality issues do not disrupt production schedules or customer deliveries.
- Analyse quality‑related causes of late or incomplete deliveries and lead actions to prevent recurrence.
- Monitor customer returns, complaints, and concessions, ensuring rapid containment and robust corrective action.
- Work closely with Operations to balance quality assurance with efficient throughput.

4. Problem Solving & Continuous Improvement
- Lead structured problem‑solving activities using recognised quality tools such as:
o 8D
o Fishbone (Ishikawa) diagrams
o 5 Whys
o Data and trend analysis
- Ensure root causes are correctly identified and that corrective and preventative actions are effective and sustained.
- Track and report trends in scrap, rework, defects, and customer complaints.
- Promote continuous improvement initiatives that enhance product quality, process stability, and delivery performance.

5. Supplier & Incoming Quality
- Support supplier quality assurance activities, including performance monitoring and issue resolution.
- Work with Procurement to ensure raw materials and bought‑in components meet defined quality requirements.
- Support containment and corrective action activities with suppliers where quality issues arise.

6. General & Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Provide regular quality performance reports and KPI updates to leadership.
- Act as a key quality interface between shopfloor teams, engineering, and management.
- Support training and coaching of colleagues on quality standards, procedures, and problem‑solving techniques.
- Champion a culture of quality ownership, accountability, and continuous improvement across the business.

QUALITY ENGINEER QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Essential
- Proven experience in a quality/compliance role within manufacturing.
- Strong working knowledge of ISO 9001 and QMS management.
- Internal auditing experience.
- Demonstrated experience in preventative quality and structured problem solving.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
- Organised and self-motivated, able to influence across all levels.

Desirable
- Lead Auditor qualification (ISO 9001).
- Knowledge of ISO 14001 or other standards.
- Experience in lean manufacturing environments.