NPD Quality Leader

The Opportunity

At William Grant & Sons, we don't just produce world-class spirits we craft experiences that are trusted and celebrated across the globe. From Glenfiddich to Hendrick's Gin, our brands are built on quality, character, and innovation.

As our NPD Quality Leader, you'll play a pivotal role in ensuring that every new product meets the highest quality standards from concept to launch. You'll be the quality champion within the NPD Stage Gate process, collaborating with cross-functional teams to embed robust quality controls, resolve issues, and drive continuous improvement.

This is a fantastic opportunity to shape the future of our packaging operations, influence product performance, and contribute to the development of industry-leading standards.

What you'll be doing

• Embedding quality requirements into the NPD Stage Gate process and maintaining all relevant documentation.
• Managing quality issues during trialling and supporting resolution with NPD project leaders.
• Developing quality standards for new products and delivering training to packaging quality teams.
• Leading the implementation of a Quality Review programme to capture learnings and improve product performance.
• Creating process maps and control plans for all NPD quality activities.
• Validating quality standards through trial data analysis and reporting improvement opportunities.
• Monitoring and reporting NPD Quality KPIs, identifying trends and communicating performance.
• Assisting in the development and sign-off of technical and manufacturing specifications for premium packaging.
• Supporting operational quality teams in establishing new products and investigating non-conformances.
• Maintaining accurate records of NPD Quality activities in IFS, Q Pulse, and other systems.
• Creating and analysing NPD Quality metrics, raising performance issues and ensuring timely corrective actions.
• Maintaining all NPD Quality documentation in line with governance and Q Pulse requirements.
• Providing guidance on quality assurance procedures and their practical implementation.
• Collaborating with peers and applying learnings from training and development activities.

About You

• Degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant technical or scientific discipline.
• Proven experience in quality assurance within a manufacturing or packaging environment.
• Strong understanding of NPD processes and quality systems (e.g., Q Pulse, IFS).
• Experience in data analysis, process mapping, and KPI reporting.
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and deliver training effectively.
• Familiarity with technical specifications and validation processes.

What can we offer you?

• We offer a competitive salary and benefits which are designed to promote our employees financial wellbeing. Employees are also eligible to participate in a bonus plan.
• Our employees enjoy a generous holiday entitlement and an opportunity to 'buy' or 'sell' some holiday entitlement.
• Private Healthcare and (remote GP service).
• Our employees can join a defined contribution pension plan. Employees contribute either 4% or 5% of salary, the company contributes 8% or 10% depending on the employee contribution. Employee contributions can be made through salary sacrifice.
• Our Employee Assistance Programme offers practical, impartial support on everyday matters ranging from medical, financial and legal to home and family issues.
• Our Life Assurance cover is a multiple of eight times your annual basic salary.
• Product allocation so that you can enjoy our fantastic portfolio of brands.
• Our Cycle to Work scheme allows you to hire a bike for an agreed length of time, and then snap it up for a fraction of its original value. All while making savings (at least 25%) and spreading the cost.
• Every employee has the opportunity to claim up to £1,000 per year for a charity or charities for which they have raised money, volunteered their time or personally donated.
• Learning resources to help you be your best self.

At WG&S, you're not just joining a company you're becoming part of a global legacy built on craftsmanship, innovation, and excellence.