Quality Operation Team Leader

• Salary: £29,870 per annum
• Hours: Monday – Friday (Full-time, Permanent)
• Split: 70% Shop Floor, 30% Office
• Location: Leicester (LE19)

Want to lead quality in the fast-paced electronics industry? We are recruiting for a respected manufacturer looking for a hands-on Quality Operation Team Leader to manage a small team, maintain high standards, and drive shop-floor excellence.

Please note: Due to the nature of our client’s business, prior to starting there will be a mandatory vetting process.

Key responsibilities:

• Supervise, coach and support 2 quality inspectors to ensure high performance and compliance with quality standards;
• Assign daily tasks and inspection coverage based on workload, priorities, and planned finished devices production schedules with applying sampling / AQL standard;
• Ensuring all critical components and finished products are inspected in accordance to product quality criteria and QC inspection plan.
• Ensure inspectors have the correct tooling, equipment, reference materials (inspection plan), PPE, and instructions needed to perform quality checks;
• Work with inspectors and production supervisors to identify quality issues quickly and escalate when necessary with relevant department;
• Coordinate corrective actions for nonconforming items, including appropriate containment, documentation, and follow-up (internal and external – supplier);
• Support root-cause analysis and implementation of improvements to reduce repeat defects / errors;
• Ensure inspection procedures comply with internal documented procedures, customer / drawing specifications, and any functional requirements where applicable;
• Report quality inspection results, calibration status, and key issues to management in regular updates (performance summary report) to management;
• Plan, schedule, and manage calibration activities for inspection and measurement equipment, ensuring timely execution and minimal disruption to operations;
• Liaise with contract manufacturers and external calibration laboratories to arrange outsourced calibration services, track work orders, and ensure equipment is returned on schedule;
• Maintain the calibration database to monitor equipment status, intervals, and certification expiry date;
• Coordinate calibration priorities with production schedules and equipment usage requirements (including spare equipment);
• Ensure all critical quality records and calibration certificates are properly maintained, stored, and easily retrievable for audits, inspections, and internal reporting;
• Ensure inspection and calibration activities comply with applicable quality standards (e.g., ISO 9001);
• Communicate effectively with production, engineering, suppliers, and external service providers (Cal-lab) to align work priorities and issue resolution.

Key Competencies:

• Self-motivated and able to work on own initiative with little supervision.
• Ability to guide and develop a small team.
• Strong organisational skills to manage calibration certificates and quality records meticulously.
• Clear verbal and written communication with internal teams and external partners.
• Capable of identifying issues, performing basic root cause analysis, and supporting corrective actions.

Essential Requirements:

• Proficiency with documentation tools (Word, Excel).
• Ability to delegate, coordinate tasks and manage priorities.
• Problem-solving skills to resolve quality issues quickly.
• Attention to detail in inspections and records.
• Excellent organisation & time management.

Desirable requirements:

• Experience mentoring and developing staff over time.
• Audit participation experience (internal/external).
• Familiarity with digital calibration trackers/QMS tools.
• Use of advanced root-cause methodologies (8D).
• Experience leading continuous improvement projects.

S14