Lead Plant Quality Engineer

We are seeking a leader to head our Plant Quality Engineering team, providing the technical guidance, coaching, and performance development needed to establish a proactive quality culture across manufacturing operations. In this role, you will ensure processes consistently achieve safety, quality, and customer requirements by supporting production teams through daily reviews, managing escalations, and presenting performance updates to senior management to contribute to strategic planning.

You will ensure quality is built into manufacturing from launch by supporting New Product Introduction (NPI) activities, collaborating with Supplier Quality to resolve external bottlenecks, and coordinating responses to customer quality and warranty concerns. Furthermore, you will maintain compliance with ISO 9001 while implementing automotive quality standards and best practices across the facility.

Focusing on continuous improvement and structured problem-solving, you will lead investigations into internal quality concerns using methodologies such as 8D, A3, 5 Why, Ishikawa, and DMAIC, while managing the entire CAPA process from containment to validation. You will develop and maintain crucial quality documentation, including Process Control Plans, PFMEAs, and inspection standards, while monitoring manufacturing performance through KPIs and statistical analysis to act on trends.

Your technical background will be essential as you lead process validation activities-including capability studies (Cp/Cpk), MSA, and process audits-alongside Layered Process Audits (LPA) and internal manufacturing reviews. Ultimately, your objective will be to drive initiatives that reduce defects, elevate first-time-through quality, and lower the cost of poor quality.

Please Note: All candidates must possess valid right to work in the UK without restrictions and must undergo a standard criminal record check (DBS)., * Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality Engineering, or a related discipline.

• Significant experience within manufacturing quality engineering in automotive, motorcycle, aerospace, or high-value engineering industries.
• Previous experience leading or mentoring quality engineering teams.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes including machining, assembly, fabrication, and paint.
• Proven experience with structured problem-solving techniques including: 8D, 5 Why, Ishikawa, FMEA, Control Plan, SPC, MSA and PPAP principles.
• Experience conducting process and product audits
• Excellent analytical and data interpretation skills
• Experience supporting New Product Introduction (NPI)
• Strong communication and stakeholder management abilities
• Ability to influence cross-functional teams and drive quality improvements

Desirable

• Lead Auditor qualification
• Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt
• Knowledge of IATF 16949 core quality tools
• Experience within premium automotive or motorcycle manufacturing
• Familiarity with digital quality systems and Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES)

• £38-£40 Ltd hourly pay rate
• State of the art production facility
• Family Friendly working hours
• Free and secure on-site car parking
• Collaborative team based environment

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Autoscan UK Limited is a leading provider of quality assurance and inspection services to the automotive industry. With years of experience and a commitment to excellence, we partner with top automotive manufacturers to ensure the highest standards of quality and safety.