Quality Analyst

Company Background:

Northern Hydraulics Ltd is proud to be one of the UK’s top manufacturers of industry leading precision hydraulic cylinders. Throughout our 35 years in the industry, our global clients in the excavator, mining and quarrying and materials handling industry, have come to expect the highest quality products.

Accredited with Investor in People Silver Status, and recognised as a Best Managed Company by Deloitte, the business has undergone considerable expansion in recent years. Northern Hydraulics continues to invest in both its people and technology today.

We are currently recruiting for a Quality Analyst to join our team and drive heightened operational performance through the continuous improvement of our processes and equipment, whilst ensuring that set efficiency and quality targets are maintained and improved.

Reporting directly to the Engineering Manager, the role of the Quality Analyst is a critical position within Northern Hydraulics Ltd. The post-holder will be responsible for overseeing and providing analytics of collected data to present at quality meetings in order to facilitate decision making to ensure optimum quality levels are achieved and maintained throughout our engineering and shop-floor manufacturing processes.

The Quality Analyst plays an essential role in maintaining the standards that ensure products and services meet established quality criteria. This position involves coordinating and supporting the activities related to the quality system within Northern Hydraulics Limited. By managing documentation, conducting audits, and facilitating continuous improvement processes, the Quality Analyst helps in aligning operational practices with regulatory requirements and industry standards. Their efforts contribute to NHL’s ability to consistently deliver quality, thereby enhancing customer satisfaction and trust. Through meticulous attention to detail and a comprehensive understanding of quality assurance principles, the Quality Analyst supports the foundation for excellence in all aspects of the organisation’s output.

The post-holder will be dedicated to actively contributing to the company’s continued success, whilst maintaining our company reputation as a leading manufacturer of high-quality hydraulic cylinders. They will assume responsibility for the quality function implementing and continually driving the company forward in terms of its manufacturing effectiveness and establishing a culture of high-quality manufacturing. The successful person will have a can-do attitude and be able to demonstrate an ability to add value to the organisation by completing their duties in a timely and effective manner.

Main Duties & Responsibilities:

• Implement and maintain the company’s quality management system (QMS) to ensure compliance with ISO 9001 and other relevant standards.
• Perform regular audits of processes, products, and services to identify areas for improvement and ensure adherence to quality standards.
• Carry out daily audits, working with team leaders to investigate any anomalies, feeding back to the quality inspector to determine root cause. Assist with monthly and annual stock and asset checks with the quality inspector.
• Manage and resolve customer complaints related to quality, documenting the issues and actions taken to prevent recurrence.
• Coordinate with suppliers to ensure the quality of raw materials and components meets the company’s standards and specifications.
• Develop and maintain quality documentation, such as procedures, work instructions, and quality records, to support the QMS.
• Train employees on quality procedures and policies to ensure a consistent understanding and application across the organization.
• Monitor and report on quality performance metrics to senior management, highlighting trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement.
• Facilitate the calibration and maintenance of inspection, measuring, and test equipment to ensure ongoing accuracy and reliability.
• Any other duties within reason and capability

KEY COMPETENCIES:

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in cross-functional teams.
• Demonstrate excellent administration skills & ability.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
  

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS:

• Accuracy of system data entry
• Reducing overall cost of quality
• Investigate product quality in order to make improvements to achieve better customer satisfaction.
• Collaborate with all departments to develop quality awareness
• Collect quality data
• Maintain quality system in accordance with ISO 9001 Framework

ROLE REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, engineering, or another relevant field.
• Excellent knowledge of quality assurance standards and processes.
• Proven experience in a quality role.
• Familiarity with relevant software, such as statistical process control (SPC) software.
• Proficiency in MS Office and data analysis tools.
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills verbally and written.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Attention to detail and accuracy.
• Flexibility and adaptability to changing requirements.
• A minimum of 1 years’ experience working as a Quality Analyst in an engineering manufacturing environment.
• Previous experience of working in line with ISO 9001 (2015) or a strong understanding the principles of ISO standards.
• Experience of driving NC process with a demonstrated ability to use NC process, root cause analysis and quality SOP’s to reduce the COPQ.
• Candidate must be self-motivated with a proven track record of driving tasks to completion in and effective and efficient manner ensuring long term continuous improvement is sustained.
• Managing own time and supporting production effectively.
• Ability to work under pressure using own initiative.
• Strong willed & resilient in nature with the best interests of the quality function within NHL at the core of their intent.
• Excellent numeracy & literacy skills.

DESIRABLE CRITERIA:

• Strong knowledge of special processes (e.g. welding, painting) including WPS.
• Understanding of APQP.
• Knowledge of the hydraulic cylinder manufacturing process.
• Experience within a precision engineering environment is advantageous.
• Previous MRP/ERP experience is desirable.
• Understanding of Kaizen and lean manufacturing tools and techniques an advantage.
• ISO Internal Auditor Qualified.
• Strong understanding of customer expectations

In return the successful applicant will receive:

• Competitive salary (£27k – £29k DOE)
• Early finish on Fridays
• Westfield Health cover
• Access to the Bike to Work scheme
• Flexible holidays
• Long service reward
• Early finish on Friday
• Learning and development opportunities.
• Exciting opportunities for the future, as the company continues to grow and improve
• Free on-site parking
• Plus, much more…

Hours of work:
Monday – Thursday: 08:00 -17:00
Friday: 08:00 -14:00

Northern Hydraulics Limited is not in the position to provide sponsorship for this current position and so applicants must be able to work in the United Kingdom without requiring sponsorship.

Closing Date: 11th July 2024