DNA Quality and Compliance Manager

Job Description

To manage the Quality performance of the DNA teams across sites and to drive a high quality culture whilst developing and supporting the BU Quality Champions and ASM(s). 

The Quality & Compliance Manager (QCM) monitors, develops and improves quality and health and safety, including the maintenance and extension of UKAS accreditation for relevant services. The QCM will work with the central quality team to ensure quality incidents are investigated thoroughly and in a timely fashion, root causes analysed and corrective actions implemented. The QCM will also be required to work with Science leads, LPMs and E&R QCM to support scientific and technological advances.

Please note that this role is based in Birchwood, Warrington, with regular travel required to Lambeth, London.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities

• Ensure procedures, processes and systems comply with the Quality Management System including maintenance of SOPs/WIs and associated documentation.
• Prepare for UKAS assessments and act as DNA SPOC for external auditors & Q&C team. Review and consolidate DNA actions from UKAS audits.
• Analyse trends in quality performance to ensure issues are resolved in a timely manner and to continually improve
• Responsible for participating in the annual audit schedule including timely completion of actions
• Develop a robust system to ensure individual quality performance is effectively managed, providing a culture of team responsibility and individual ownership.
• Promptly communicate quality, health and safety, security and environmental incidents or near misses via Q&C SharePoint site
• Ensure completions of incident reports and low level incidents, identifying root cause, implementing actions promptly and assessing effectiveness of actions to agreed timescale.
• Act as the main point of contact for departmental investigations and to work with the lead investigator to ensure root cause is identified and actions implemented promptly
• Measure and report accordingly through developed KPI’s the quality and H&S performance of the team.
• Troubleshoot any adverse trends in performance such as repeat incidents and implement appropriate improvement actions.
• Manage environmental monitoring
• Professionally manage internal and external relationships and day-to-day communications with all stakeholders to create a positive and professional image
• Develop and maintain competency system and training programmes to meet accreditation requirements
• Attendance at customer/stakeholder meetings if required.
• Promote a quality and CI culture – can evidence relevant initiatives/strategies to support this aim
• Maintain knowledge of the direction, services and products of the business.

Qualifications

• Sufficient experience of DNA to understand key issues in relation to Quality, Health and Safety
• Quality champion
• Excellent understanding of EFS Quality System (internal only)
• Demonstrable understanding of the requirements of ISO 17020,17025 and Regulators Code of Practice
• Experience of 8D and root cause analysis

Preferred Knowledge, Experience and Technical Skills

• FMEA training and analysis
• Audit training
• Experience in leading projects/method development
• LEAN training

Behaviours

• Operates within the company’s core values and demonstrates these within the day to day role.
• Takes personal responsibility for the quality of work completed by the team
• Accountability and Integrity
• Excellent communication skills, able to develop positive working relationships at all levels
• Able to manage a flexible workload; shows good organisational skills and high levels of personal resilience; able to work to deadlines under pressure
• Promotes cooperation and commitment within a team to achieve goals and deliverables.
• Ability to lead and influence others at all levels.
• Stays focussed on tasks in spite of distractions and obstacles; shows determination in the face of adversity to find the best way to succeed.
• Actively implements methods of improving quality systems and processes.
• Acts as an agent for change
• Natural problem solver

• Communicate and work co-operatively with others (within the Business Units, with other departments / sites or external associates) focussing on a collective rather than individual goal.

• Demonstrate a strong drive for high quality output.
• Set the highest standards and always deliver more than is required.
• Act as a role model for the team.
• Challenge people in constructive ways.

• Implement decisions quickly and effectively.
• Take ownership of challenges and see them to completion.
• Be responsible for thinking about the standard operating procedures, customer operating protocols and validation / verification documents and provide continuous improvement ideas to the relevant parties.

Additional Information

Due to the sensitive nature of our work, this role will require the successful candidate to achieve NPPV3 + Security Clearance (SC). To be eligible, you must have 5 years’ continuous UK residency.

As part of the vetting process, you’ll be asked to provide information about your background, including your employment and address history, financial circumstances and details of close family or partners. These checks are carried out to ensure individuals accessing police data, systems and sites are trustworthy and suitable for the role.

Factors such as criminal convictions, financial difficulties or associations that may pose a risk could affect your ability to gain clearance. However, each application is assessed on an individual basis, and honesty throughout the process is essential.

Please note:

• Vetting is carried out by an external police vetting service
• Drug and alcohol testing may be required before you start and during your employment
• Ongoing employment is subject to maintaining the required level of clearance

Further information on the NPPV3 + SC vetting clearance process can be found here.

What We Offer

We offer a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• 25 days annual leave + bank holidays (rising to 30 days with length of service)
• Company pension scheme with up to 6% employer contribution
• Life assurance (3x salary)
• Health Cash Plan & Employee Assistance Programme
• Enhanced family leave and sick pay
• Perkbox benefits, discounts and wellbeing support
• Cycle to Work scheme, tech scheme & volunteering days
• Holiday trading (buy/sell) scheme
• Refer a Friend scheme
• Free on-site parking (site dependant)