Quality Assurance Technical Lead

Quality & Technical LeadCannock£40-£45,000 per annum (DOE)PermanentEarly Finish FridaysTo lead the Supplier Quality Assurance (SQA) function and ensure that all suppliers meet the quality and compliance standards required throughout.The role also manages technical and product compliance, supports customer quality, and leads continuous improvement across the supply chain.The Head of Quality & Technical is responsible for ensuring that quality is built into every stage of the process — from supplier manufacturing through to customer delivery.Supplier Quality Assurance Supplier Qualification & ApprovalMaintain a formal Supplier Quality Assurance system.Conduct supplier onboarding audits and capability assessments.Approve or reject new suppliers based on risk, capability, technical competence, and compliance.Ongoing Supplier Performance ManagementDevelop and maintain Supplier Performance Management systemPPM defect rateOn-time deliveryResponsiveness to NCRsCompliance and certificationSupplier Non-Conformance ManagementDrive the supplier NCRS process.Review root causes, approve corrective actions, and ensure containment.Ensure costs are recovered or credited for supplier-driven quality failures.Supplier Audits & DevelopmentCreate and maintain an annual Supplier Audit Plan.Issue audit reports and follow-up actions, and verify closure.Lead supplier development programmes for underperforming suppliers.Preventive Quality PlanningEnsure suppliers follow APQP / PPAP expectations for new or modified products.Lead pre-production readiness reviews.Validate supplier inspection plans and ensure alignment with WSL requirements.Ensuring a thorough understanding and experience in the application of statistical process control.Technical & Product ComplianceMaintain all technical files, approvals, and compliance documentation.Review and approve control plans, FMEAs, PPAP documentation.Approve new part numbers and ensure system accuracy.Manage third-party testing and validation.Ensure all in-house quality control processes are consistently carried out.Quality & Technical Project Management Lead and coordinate all quality and technical projects, including product development, supplier changes, testing programmes, and process improvement initiatives.Customer Quality & Technical SupportAttend customer site visits for technical reviews and quality concerns.Provide technical support to the commercial team and customers.Execute the full quality concern process, including containment, structured root cause analysis, and implementation of corrective actions through to verified closure.Ensure customer complaint trends are analysed and reduced.Engineering CompetenceEngineering qualification highly desirable, with experience in mechanical, automotive, or component manufacturing.Competent in reading technical drawings, understanding tolerances, dimensions.Experience in Engineering Change Control (ECC), ensuring all updates to drawings, specifications, and documentation follow structured change processes.CAD literacy advantageous, with the ability to review models, mark-up drawings, and communicate engineering requirements effectively.Understanding of supplier manufacturing processes and their impact on product performance and quality.Continuous ImprovementLead structured problem-solving using 8D, 5 Whys, Fishbone.Drive cross-functional improvement projects.Thorough understanding of business improvement techniques including Lean / Six Sigma methodologies.Identify systemic issues and prevent reoccurrence through process changes.Leadership & Functional OwnershipLead and develop the Quality & Technical function, ensuring processes, standards, and documentation are maintained and continuously improved.Set and monitor quality KPIs for suppliers, products, and processes, providing monthly reports.Provide training and guidance to colleagues across the business on technical procedures, quality awareness, and compliance requirements.Ensure all key quality and technical processes are fully documented, controlled, and up to date, supporting long-term continuity and succession planning.Hours/Holidays/Benefits:Monday to Thursday 0815-1700Friday 0815-1345Holidays, 25 days per yearAuto Enrolment Pension Scheme Ers 5% ContributionLife Insurance Cover 4 x Annual Basic Salary