Quality Manager

We are seeking an experienced and strategic Quality Manager to lead our Quality function at our manufacturing facility in Debden, Essex. Reporting to the Plant Manager, you will be responsible for developing a robust quality culture, maintaining compliance standards, and driving continuous improvement across the business.

As a member of the site Leadership team, you will support in driving operational excellence and will play a critical role in ensuring our product meets the highest standards of quality, compliance, and customer satisfaction.

Key Responsibilities

• Improve control of the Quality of product being despatched from the site by developing ownership of Quality throughout the Business through a programme of education
• Develop and Manage the Quality system providing the Business with information that can be used to drive improvements
• Develop and implement appropriate test/inspection methodology/plans that ensure compliance, especially with regards to critical product attributes
• Ensure all compliance audits and procedural reviews are conducted in accordance with agreed schedules
• Ensure that the QC department provides support for the relevant areas of production, raw materials & work in progress – raising corrective actions, including quarantining products, where appropriate
• Be the point of escalation for customer and supplier quality non-conformance, ensuring that appropriate communication is maintained and that corrective actions are embedded operationally, and then sustained
• Understanding the supply chain process and build strong relationships in order to deal with supplier issues.
• Maintain and retain site’s ISO9001 status, ensuring all laboratory equipment is calibrated to current requirements and that regular internal audits are carried out by the Audit Team 
• Support the optimisation and improvement of operational procedures so that they contribute towards overall business unit efficiency targets
• Working closely with the technical team to contribute to process, design and manufacturing improvements
• Working closely with operations and OpEx teams in supporting improvement projects using a structured approach with clear targets, project plans and KPI’s
• Building strong customer relationships in order to best understand their expectations in our drive to become the supplier of choice
• Manage the customer complaints process, involving the relevant business areas and ensuring the customer receives timely constructive responses

Contract type: Permanent

Working hours: Full Time – 37.5 hrs per week (9am – 5:00pm Mon - Fri)

Base location: Debden

Skills, Qualifications & Experience

• MIQA or equivalent
• Understanding of Quality Management principles and techniques
• Project Management/Process Improvement skills
• Experience in a similar type of role with ability to communicate with all levels of the organisation (across SBU and Group functions together with primary customer/supplier interaction)
• Understanding of Quality procedures, in particular ISO9001
• Extensive knowledge of Quality Management systems with the ability to lead new programmes and reinvigorate existing ones, creating and promoting a quality culture across the site
• Sound understanding of LEAN principles and of Continuous Improvement methodologies
• Strong Leadership, motivational and influencing skills
• Strong problem solving and analytical skills required

About De La Rue

De La Rue is a leading supplier of currency solutions and a long-standing trusted partner to central banks and governments worldwide. Our products underpin the integrity of economies and trade, enabling businesses and citizens to participate securely in their respective economies.

With a heritage spanning over 200 years, we remain a global leader in advancing security and integrity for currency solutions, supplying 54% of the world’s central banks and manufacturing in the UK, Europe & Asia. We produce fully finished banknotes, polymer substrate, security and currency services.

Benefits

• 26 days annual leave exclusive of bank holidays
• Contributory pension scheme (De La Rue pay 1.5x the employee’s contribution – employee contributions up to a maximum of 6%, with employer contributions up to a maximum of 9%)
• Life assurance - 4x your annual salary
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Subsidised Gym Memberships
• Various other perks and Employee Assistance packages
• Enhanced family friendly policies (e.g., four weeks paid paternity leave)

Please note that applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and therefore interviews may be held prior to the closing date for this vacancy.

***This position is located in the United Kingdom. To be eligible for consideration, you must be authorised to work in the UK without company sponsorship***