Quality Manager

Posting date:	03 February 2026
Salary:	£60,000 to £70,000 per year
Hours:	Full time
Closing date:	05 March 2026
Location:	EX31 1NP
Remote working:	On-site only
Company:	Workforce Recruitment and Training
Job type:	Permanent
Job reference:	527210-65507

Summary

Quality Manager

Barnstaple | Permanent | Days-based | Senior Leadership Role

Salary: Circa £65,000 + excellent benefits
Hours: Flexible 37-hour week with a 2pm finish every Friday

The Opportunity

This is a senior Quality leadership role within a global, market-leading manufacturer of Hydraulic Valve Systems, supplying highly regulated sectors including Automotive, Oil & Gas, and Semiconductor.

The site is in a strong growth phase with a full order book and long-term stability, making this an ideal role for an experienced Quality professional looking to lead, influence, and embed best-in-class standards in a mature manufacturing environment.

You’ll have the authority, visibility, and backing to drive a Zero Defects culture, strengthen systems, and act as the senior Quality interface for customers and auditors alike.

Your Role

As Quality Manager, you will take full ownership of the Quality function and systems, leading both people and processes:

• Lead, mentor, and develop the on-site Quality Team

  
  

• Own and continuously improve the ISO 9001 & IATF 16949 Quality Management Systems

  
  

• Plan, conduct, and close out internal system, process, and product audits

  
  

• Act as the senior Quality representative with OEMs, Tier suppliers, and key customers

  
  

• Manage customer concerns, corrective actions, and continuous improvement activities

  
  

• Drive compliance across all departments, ensuring quality is embedded, not inspected

  
  

• Champion Zero Defects and upskill quality capability across the business

  
  

• Analyse quality data, trends, and KPIs to drive measurable business improvements

  
  What We’re Looking For

  This role is suited to a seasoned automotive Quality professional who is comfortable operating at both strategic and hands-on levels.

  Essential:

  • Certified Internal Auditor – ISO 9001 & IATF 16949

    
    

  • Minimum Level 6 qualification in Quality Assurance (or equivalent)

    
    

  • Strong working knowledge of IATF 16949, ISO 9001, and VDA 6.3 (Process & Product Audits)

    
    

  • Proven experience leading Quality functions in a manufacturing environment

    
    

  • Excellent communication skills across shop floor, leadership, and customer interfaces

    
    

  • Strong data analysis capability with a structured, problem-solving mindset

    
    

  • Demonstrated success driving continuous improvement and cultural change

    
    

    Desirable:

    • Degree (BSc / BA / HND) in a relevant engineering or quality discipline

      
      

    • Six Sigma Green Belt

      
      

    • Knowledge of ISO 14001 and Environmental Auditing

      
      

    • Understanding of SHWW legislation and regulations

      
      What’s On Offer

      • 12.5% company bonus (based on company performance)

        
        

      • 25 days holiday + bank holidays, with the option to buy or sell up to 5 days

        
        

      • Private healthcare (Bupa)

        
        

      • Flexible working hours and an early Friday finish

        
        

      • Pension scheme

        
        

      • A stable, growing business with long-term career prospects

        
        

        If you’re an experienced Quality professional looking for a senior, influential role where your expertise in automotive standards will genuinely shape the business — this is an opportunity worth exploring.