THE OPPORTUNITY
SBD is looking for an experienced and hands on Quality Manager to lead the continued development of Quality across the business.
This is an exciting opportunity to work closely with multiple areas across the business to strengthen Quality systems, standards and processes, while continuing to build a strong Right First Time and Quality First culture.
The successful candidate will play a key role in developing the Quality function, supporting continuous improvement, strengthening product and supplier quality, and ensuring Quality is considered throughout the product lifecycle.
This is a highly collaborative and practical role, suited to someone who enjoys working with people, understanding processes and turning opportunities for improvement into sustainable results.
The roles and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Quality Leadership and Culture:
- Embed a Quality First and Right First Time culture throughout the organisation focused on prevention, continuous improvement and learning.
- Build strong working relationships across the business and act as a positive partner to Operations.
- Be visible and hands on within the manufacturing environment, coaching teams and supporting improvement.
Quality Management System and ISO 9001:
- Take ownership of the existing ISO 9001 programme, supporting SBD through the remaining stages of certification.
- Maintain and continually improve the Quality Management System ensuring it is practical, proportionate and embedded across day to day activities.
- Establish and maintain effective document control, internal auditing, corrective action and continual improvement processes.
Product, Process Standards and Control:
- Lead the development and implementation of clear, documented, controlled product and process standards making them visual where appropriate.
- Establish appropriate first off / first piece approval requirements.
- Develop practical work instructions and ensure current standards are available at the point of use.
- Work with Operations to identify opportunities for defect prevention, process stability and process improvement.
- Ensure product and process requirements are incorporated into relevant training and competency requirements.
Quality Performance, RCCA and CI:
- Build on the Quality KPI’s by developing a broader set to provide a balanced view of performance ensuring they are visible, understood and reviewed regularly.
- Establish appropriate escalation triggers for significant or recurring Quality issues.
- Lead structured Root Cause & Corrective Action (RCCA) investigations, involving the relevant functions and people closest to the process.
- Ensure corrective actions address underlying causes and are verified for effectiveness.
- Use Quality data, trends and analysis to identify priorities and drive sustainable improvement.
Customer & Supplier Quality:
- Work closely with customer facing teams to understand and analyse quality related customer feedback, complaints and claims ensuring appropriate investigation and containment.
- Feed customer Quality learning back into standards, processes, training and product development.
- Develop supplier Quality expectations, performance measures and a risk based audit programme.
- Manage supplier non-conformances, returns and corrective actions in partnership with Supply Chain.
- Monitor supplier performance and identify opportunities to reduce recurring supplier related issues.
NPDI, Change Control & Capability:
- Ensure Quality is involved early within New Product Development & Introduction (NPDI).
- Work with Design and Operations to establish product requirements, Quality characteristics, specifications and appropriate controls before production launch.
- Establish an effective Change Control process covering product, material, supplier and process changes.
- Introduce appropriate Quality planning tools and techniques, such as risk assessment, FMEA/PFMEA and Control Plans, where beneficial and proportionate to the product and process.
THE SKILLS
We encourage you to apply if you are someone who can demonstrate the following:
Essential
- Proven experience in a Quality Management role within a manufacturing environment, with a practical hands on approach.
- Strong understanding of ISO 9001 and experience developing, implementing or improving a Quality Managemen System, ideally including certification.
- Strong experience in RCCA with a focus on preventing recurrence.
- Experience developing Quality KPIs and process controls to improve RFT/FPY, reduce defects, rework and scrap, and drive continuous improvement.
- Experience leading or managing QC/inspection activities and developing clear product, process and Quality standards.
- Strong communication, influencing and problem solving skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across the business.
Desirable
- Experience within apparel, textiles, technical textiles, soft goods or similar manufacturing.
- Experience in NPDI/NPI and introducing structured, risk based Quality planning.
- Experience with FMEA/PFMEA, Control Plans, SPC or similar Quality tools.
- ISO 9001 auditing and/or Lean Six Sigma experience or qualification.
- Recognised Quality or relevant technical qualification, or equivalent practical experience.
THE COMPANY
SBD is a global sportswear brand, designing and manufacturing market-leading performance products for strength sports. Our team is proud to craft all our products in the United Kingdom, with the majority fully manufactured at our headquarters on the Advanced Manufacturing Park, Rotherham. Our commitment to quality has seen our products become the standard among strength athletes in gyms across the world, including those competing in the Worlds Strongest Man and the IPF World Powerlifting Championships.
2022 Business of the Year for the Sheffield Chamber of Commerce 2022 Business of the Year for the Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber of Commerce 2023 Winner Outstanding Contribution to Employee Health & Wellbeing for the Sheffield Chamber of Commerce 2024 Manufacturer of the Year (under £25m) Made in Sheffield Awards 2024 Kings Award for Enterprise 2024 ‘Be Well at Work’ Gold
THE BENEFITS
- New SBD Headquarters – Join us in our state-of-the-art building. A dynamic space designed for innovation, collaboration and sustainable growth
- Complimentary Breakfast and Lunch – Enjoy a delicious selection of food served fresh daily so you can save time & money and focus on your best work
- Casual Dress Code – Allowing you to work comfortably and be yourself!
- Free Onsite Parking – Priority spaces go to those who car share too
- Performance Related Bonus – Directly linking the success of SBD to your earnings
- 33 Days’ Holiday including Bank Holidays – Providing flexibility for your personal life and well – deserved breaks
- Employee Assistance Programme – Your wellbeing matters to us, so our EAP provides a wealth of resources and professional support for any of life’s challenges
- 40% Staff Discount – Letting you experience our quality firsthand for less
- Strength Sports Event Tickets – Help us to celebrate the power and dedication we admire across the disciplines, live!
- Employee Referral Scheme – Get rewarded handsomely through our generous employee referral scheme when you help us find more great talent
SALARY: £48,900 – £53,800 dependant on experience and qualifications
HOURS: 37.5 hours per week
LOCATION: Unit 2b Lanchester Way, Advanced Manufacturing Park, Waverley, S60 5FX
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