Quality Improvement Leader

**Role Purpose**

As part of the Quality & Laboratory Team, the role of Quality Improvement Leader is deputy to the Quality Excellence Manager.

Quality Improvement Leader is responsible for being proactive in developing Quality Performance, including preventative culture. Also for monitoring, auditing & reviewing processes for crust and leather quality to ensure that they meet prescribed standards, analysing data and responding to opportunities to strengthen Quality performance on a priority basis, supporting overall Business Objectives.

There will be a strong focus on the continual improvement of both departmental processes & those within the business which the Quality Improvement Leader will drive forward, using collated data & insights. You will play a key role within the Plant Quality Team, with safety first, “best in class” expertise & providing an environment that supports continual improvement to ensure that Scottish Leather Group achieves its manufacturing & sustainability ambitions.

This role will require close collaboration with operations, technical, engineering, health, safety and environmental teams, associated quality & laboratory functions, sales & account management teams, and customers to ensure the delivery of consistent product quality that exceeds our customer expectations, on time and in full.

**Key Accountabilities**
- Ensure environmental, health, safety & wellbeing standards are adhered to and support the development of these
- Responsible for safe conduct of self & others with regards to tools, equipment, chemicals & health & safety regulations
- Deputise for Plant Quality Manager.
- To help develop the capability and culture within the Quality and wider operational teams, including onboarding
- Working closely with the Plant Quality Manager to develop and implement strong, risk based, proactive activities to prevent Quality non conformance and enhance Right First Time
- Working collaboratively to conduct Root Cause Analysis and implement robust preventative measures
- To be data driven, using tools such as SPC, Excel, Minitab, Power BI and develop the use of Quality data to drive improvements in performance for internal, supplier and customer performance
- To deliver on Quality KPI’s and support other functional KPI’s as appropriate
- Report failures to management through data collection & analysis and highlight the level of significance to ensure a commensurate response
- Ensure that actions, reports & audits (process, product & system) are conducted, completed on-time & followed-up to ensure effective closure of corrective actions
- Conduct reviews on the effectiveness of closed actions
- Ensure that equipment used for measurement & testing is maintained, calibrated & operating safely
- Collaborate with management &/or customers on quality & improvement matters
- To prepare, perform & conduct the scope of internal, supplier & customer audits including IATF16949, ISO9001 & ISO9100
- To ensure that paperwork & data records are accurate, up to-date & issued to the relevant personnel / stakeholders
- Timely disposition of internal rejects, reworks & non-conforming products; reporting volumes of transactions
- Process compliance (e.g., PSI non-conformance reports, compliance checks, audits & internal NC's)
- Monitoring adherence & performance to the QMS
- To attend customer sites to conduct quality reviews & provide reports thereof.

**Experience Desired**
- Appropriate degree level qualification essential
- Quality practitioner preferred
- Experience working for a World Class organisation/Understanding what good looks like essential
- Experience within automotive / manufacturing environment preferred
- Knowledge of business interfaces
- Ability to problem solve & deliver factual, concise reports that can be presented to all levels within both this organisation & our customers
- Demonstrable personal achievements on improving Quality metrics
- Trained in conducting Root Cause Analysis
- Digitisation and AI
- People Management experience.

**Key Competencies Required**
- Develop Yourself: Invest in personal development, is self-aware, authentic & open to feedback
- Drive for Results: Delivers against targets in a way which is fast, agile & in line with our Company values
- Attention to Detail: Your work is complete & accurate
- Communication: Clear, concise, consistent & relevant for individual situations & understands, manages & clarifies expectations
- Teamwork: Actively develop & maintain beneficial relationships & contribute towards a common goal
- Problem Solving: Recognises where problems may arise and suggests preventative measures

**Benefits**
- Scottish Leather Group Pension Plan
- Holiday entitlement package (additional days granted for long service)
- Employee Assistance Programs (EAP): Work-related support & counselling
- Cycle to work scheme
- Access to a network of fully trained internal coaches & mentors to support career development.
- Additional training a