Quality Assurance Manager

Stunning role to play for this architectural manufacturer - Early applications strongly advised !

Quality Assurance Manager - ( Architectural Lighting ) £60k+ Neg Basic + Performance bonus 
Location: M4 Corridor

About the Role

Are you a hands-on quality professional who thrives on variety? Do you enjoy the challenge of bespoke engineering rather than just repetitive assembly lines?
We are looking for a Quality Assurance Manager to champion excellence across our manufacturing operations in Oxfordshire. In this role, you will not just check boxes at the end of a line. You will collaborate directly with Design, Production, and Project Management teams from initial concept to final dispatch. Balancing standard product lines with highly complex, project-specific bespoke solutions, you will ensure everything leaving our facility meets the highest standards of safety, performance, and craftsmanship.
 

What You Will Do

Your day-to-day will combine strategic quality management, active production support, and hands-on technical problem-solving.
Drive Bespoke Project Quality: Participate in design reviews for complex projects. Review unique designs, bills of materials, and prototype builds to catch manufacturing risks before production begins.
Embed a Quality-First Culture: Maintain and elevate the Quality Management System (QMS). Introduce quality checkpoints and first-article inspections throughout the manufacturing life cycle.
Support Production & Lean Initiatives: Work side-by-side with production teams to reduce waste, introduce mistake-proofing (Poka-Yoke), and resolve root causes of assembly issues.
Elevate Supplier Performance: Partner with Purchasing to set supplier standards, approve new vendors, and resolve component quality issues.
Oversee Testing & Compliance: Ensure full product compliance with industry standards, manage validation testing, and maintain calibration data.
Lead Continuous Improvement: Track performance via KPIs (rework hours, defect reduction, first-time pass rates) and lead "lessons learned" reviews after major projects.

What You Bring

Essential Experience:
Proven background in a Quality Assurance or Quality Management role within a manufacturing environment.

Direct experience working with bespoke, engineered, or project-specific products.
Strong ability to interpret engineering drawings, technical blueprints, and documentation.
Proficiency with technical software packages, specifically AutoCAD.
A proven track record in root-cause analysis and implementing effective CAPA (Corrective and Preventive Actions).

Desirable (But Not Essential):

Experience within lighting, electronics, or electrical manufacturing.
Familiarity with LED manufacturing, DALI, or emergency lighting systems.
Working knowledge of ISO 9001 standards and Lean Manufacturing principles.
Experience utilizing ERP/MRP systems.
Familiarity with Revit or SolidWorks.

Who You Are

Proactive: You anticipate manufacturing bottlenecks and assembly risks before they happen.
Collaborative: You can easily shift from a design meeting in the office to coaching staff on the production floor.
Methodical: You possess a sharp eye for detail and can manage multiple complex projects simultaneously.
Problem-Solver: You genuinely enjoy untangling technical challenges and standardising best practices.

How to Apply

If you are ready to take ownership of a dynamic quality role where your expertise directly shapes unique, high-end products, we want to hear from you.
Please submit your CV and a brief cover letter outlining your experience with bespoke engineered products to talent@maddisonconsultants.co.uk or contact us on 01252 759007 for a confidential chat!