Quality Assurance Leader

Independent Forgings and Alloys Ltd.; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading aerospace forging company in Sheffield seeks a Quality Assurance Leader to implement and maintain an effective Quality Management System. Responsibilities include conducting audits, managing corrective actions, and leading a team of Quality Engineers. Candidates should have experience in aerospace quality management and knowledge of QMS standards like AS 9100. The company offers competitive holidays, a pension scheme, and opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

33 days holiday including bank holidays

5% pension contribution

Bonus scheme

Health cash plan with discounts

Access to fitness apps and gyms

Free work wear and PPE

Career development opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience in quality management within Aerospace.
• Strong knowledge of QMS standards and compliance.
• Proficiency in root cause analysis and quality tools.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain the Quality Management System.
• Lead internal audits and customer quality assurance.
• Manage corrective and preventive actions across the company.
• Mentor and lead a team of quality professionals.

Skills

Quality management

Auditing skills

Root cause analysis

Statistical Process Control (SPC)

Leadership skills

Education

Quality Management qualification or related field

Tools

QMS standards (AS 9100 Rev D, ISO 9001:2015)

Quality tools (SPC, MSA, PPAP, PFMEA, APQP)

Job description

Independent Forgings and Alloys have an exciting opportunity for a committed, and driven Quality Assurance Leader to join our journey to become the number one forging company in the world.

Over the last few years Independent Forgings and Alloys Ltd (IFA) have invested in the business and have successfully doubled our turnover and are continuing on this path.

Main Purpose of the Role

The Quality Assurance Leader is responsible for ensuring that the company’s Quality Management System and it’s accreditation is effectively implemented, maintained, and continuously improved across a large metal forging operation. This role leads quality assurance programs covering compliance, audits, process documentation, customer quality requirements, and systemic quality performance.

Main duties include:

• Quality Management System (QMS) - Maintain and develop the company’s QMS AS 9100 Rev D, ISO 9001:2015, NADCAP, ISO/IEC 17025:2017 AS/EN9100). Lead the development, revision, and approval of procedures, work instructions, and policies.
• Internal & External Audits -Plan and conduct internal audits across all operational areas, assessing compliance with process standards.
• Customer Quality Assurance -Act as a key point of contact for customer quality expectations, documentation, and compliance issues. Prepare and manage customer-required quality submissions.
• Process Assurance & Documentation -Ensure all manufacturing and inspection processes are properly documented and controlled. Lead control plan development and verification in cooperation with production and engineering. Oversee document control, traceability systems, and version management.
• Corrective & Preventive Action Management -Lead root-cause analysis and ensure robust corrective actions are implemented. Track effectiveness of corrective and preventive actions across the company.
• Supplier Quality Assurance -Support supplier assessments, audits, and incoming quality assurance programs. Monitor supplier performance and participate in decisions to approve, develop, or disqualify suppliers.
• Team leadership -Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Quality Engineers, Customer Quality Officers, Certification Officers. Promote a culture of quality, accountability, and continuous improvement across all levels of the organisation.
• Training & Quality Culture -Develop and deliver training on quality processes, standards, and documentation requirements. Coordinate quality awareness initiatives to strengthen discipline and adherence to procedures.
• Data, Reporting & Continuous Improvement -Track and analyse quality metrics (NCRs, audit results, customer complaints, scrap/rework trends). Prepare regular reports for leadership, highlighting risks, systemic issues, and improvement actions.

Background and experience

• Experience in quality management within Aerospace.
• Quality Management qualification or related field.
• Strong knowledge of QMS standards (AS 9100 Rev D, ISO 9001:2015, NADCAP, ISO/IEC 17025:2017 AS/EN9100)).
• Ideally with experience of forging, machining, or metallurgical operations.
• Experience with auditing the above accreditation (internal or external), control plans, PPAP, and customer compliance.
• Proficiency in root cause analysis, statistical methods, and quality tools (SPC, MSA, PPAP, PFMEA,APQP).
• Excellent communications and leadership skills.

About Independent Forgings

Independent Forgings and Alloys (IFA) is one of Britain’s leading independent aerospace and industrial forgers. The unique feature about IFA is the combination of open and closed-die forging while also undertaking the whole production process from raw material to the finished product in one location. Operating from a 680 000ft2 facility in Sheffield, we manufacture high-integrity, open-die and closed-die forged components in nickel alloy, titanium, stainless steel and carbon alloys for customers and tier-one suppliers within the aerospace, nuclear, power generation, marine as well as oil and gas sector.

Why work for us?

At IFA we pride ourselves on being a great place to work. As one of the UK’s leading forge manufacturing company we want to ensure that we attract, motivate and retain the best people who can deliver the best service to the company and our customers.

We offer you:

• Holidays – you will have 33 days holiday, including bank holidays.
• Pension scheme – IFA wants to provide its employees a good foundation for the life after work and hence offers a 5% contribution.
• Working hours 8.15am - 4.30pm Monday to Thursday with 4pm finish on Friday
• Bonus scheme – this is linked to team and company performance.
• Westfield cash plan – IFA provides level 1 health cash plan which comes along with numerous discounts and special offers, including gym discounts, online, high street and grocery retailers and many more.
• Wellhub – access to various fitness apps and gyms in the local area.
• Free work wear and PPE.
• Development – we offer genuine development opportunities to progress your career.