Mechanical Quality Inspection Manager

Airport Placements; Leatherhead; On-site; GBP 80,000 - GBP 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A respected precision engineering firm in Leatherhead is seeking a Chief Inspector/Quality Manager. The role involves overseeing all inspection activities, developing CMM programmes, and managing audits to ensure adherence to AS9100 and ISO 9001 standards. Candidates must have substantial experience in quality management within engineering, with skills in problem-solving and effective communication. The position offers a competitive salary, a company pension scheme, and 5 weeks of annual leave plus bank holidays.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Company pension scheme

Life assurance

Eligibility for company bonus scheme

5 weeks annual leave plus bank holidays

Qualifications

• Substantial experience in a quality management/inspection role.
• Strong knowledge of AS9100 and ISO 9001.
• Experience managing third-party and customer audits.
• Practical experience with QMS.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all inspection activities for robust quality checks.
• Develop and optimise CMM programmes.
• Conduct first-off inspections and prepare FAI reports.
• Drive corrective and continuous improvement actions.
• Administer and improve Quality Management System.

Skills

Quality management

Inspection

CMM programming

Audit management

Problem-solving

Job description

Chief Inspector/Quality manager – Opportunity for a proactive Quality Control Inspector/Manager to join a long‑established and respected precision engineering business. The company manufactures complex machined components for blue‑chip customers in the Oil & Gas, Nuclear, Automotive and Aerospace industries. This role may be a chief inspector or include quality system and management responsibilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Take ownership of all inspection activity, ensuring robust incoming, in‑process and final inspection of components.
• Develop, load, review and optimise CMM programmes.
• Conduct first‑off inspections and prepare first article inspection (FAI) reports.
• Highlight non‑conformance’s, investigate root causes and drive corrective and continuous improvement actions.
• Collaborate closely with production and engineering teams to embed quality at every stage of manufacture.
• Administer and improve the Quality Management System (QMS) to meet AS9100, ISO 9001 and relevant aerospace standards.
• Plan and lead internal, external, customer and regulatory audits, ensuring findings are addressed swiftly and effectively.
• Act as a key point of contact for customers on quality topics and chair quality review meetings.
• Work confidently to tight tolerances across a range of materials using varied measuring equipment.
• Operate with a high level of autonomy, taking responsibility for quality outcomes.

Qualifications

• Substantial experience in a quality management/inspection role within an engineering or precision machining environment.
• Strong working knowledge of AS9100, ISO 9001 and specific customer quality requirements.
• Proven track record managing third‑party and customer audits.
• Practical experience of implementing, maintaining and improving a QMS.
• Familiarity with CMM programming (specific software training available).
• Highly organised and able to manage multiple priorities.
• Meticulous, disciplined and detail‑focused, with a positive, solutions‑driven mindset.
• Able to perform under time pressure and communicate clearly with colleagues and customers.

Benefits

• Competitive salary, commensurate with experience.
• Company pension scheme.
• Life assurance.
• Eligibility for company bonus scheme (after qualifying period).
• 5 weeks’ annual leave plus bank holidays.

This is a permanent role with a starting salary dependent on the initial scope of the role and your experience. You must have current UK right to work to be considered. We aim to respond to all applications.