Job Overview:

Quality Manager – ISO17025
Derby
Up to £75,000

•    An established engine manufacturing organisation based in Derby is seeking an experienced ISO 17025 professional to lead the implementation and accreditation of laboratory and calibration test cell activities in line with ISO/IEC 17025 standards.
•    This is a key role responsible for establishing, implementing and sustaining a compliant laboratory management system, preparing the business for UKAS accreditation, and embedding best practice across cross-functional engineering and operations teams.
•    The successful candidate will combine deep technical knowledge of ISO 17025 with strong leadership capability, pragmatic risk management, and excellent communication skills.

Key Responsibilities
•    Lead the implementation of ISO/IEC 17025 across calibration laboratories and engine test cells
•    Develop, implement and maintain the laboratory quality management system
•    Prepare the organisation for accreditation (e.g. UKAS) and manage the full accreditation lifecycle
•    Write, review and approve laboratory procedures, processes and technical documentation
•    Establish document control systems in line with ISO 17025 requirements
•    Develop calibration methods, measurement uncertainty budgets and traceability systems
•    Create and maintain training matrices, competency frameworks and authorisation records
•    Manage calibration records, equipment registers and traceability documentation
•    Conduct internal audits and coordinate corrective and preventive actions
•    Host and manage external audit activities, including accreditation body assessments
•    Implement risk-based thinking in line with ISO 17025, ensuring proportionate and practical risk mitigation
•    Drive continual improvement initiatives within laboratory and test environments
•    Provide training and guidance to engineering, operations and quality teams
•    Ensure cross-functional alignment between test engineering, manufacturing, quality and compliance teams
•    Report progress, risks and performance metrics to senior leadership

Required Skills & Experience

•    Extensive working knowledge of ISO/IEC 17025
•    Proven experience implementing ISO 17025 within a laboratory or calibration environment
•    Demonstrable experience leading accreditation projects through to successful external assessment
•    Experience hosting and managing external auditors & conducting internal audits
•    Strong quality management system (QMS) background
•    Practical, risk-based approach to compliance and governance
•    Strong stakeholder engagement and cross-functional leadership capability – ability to influence and guide teams through change
•    Confident communicator at all organisational levels

Personal Attributes
•    Pragmatic and solutions-focused, able to balance compliance with operational practicality
•    High attention to detail
•    Strong organisational and planning skills
•    Calm and confident under audit conditions
•    Resilient and able to drive change in technically complex environments
•    Collaborative but capable of firm decision-making

The company offers excellent training and development with fantastic benefits including bonus, pension, health and 33 days holiday coupled with relocation support.