Elevation Recruitment Group are recruiting an experienced and driven Quality & Materials Engineering to lead a critical function for a highly regulated, advanced manufacturing environment in Livingston, Scotland. This is a senior leadership role with responsibility for site-wide quality performance, materials engineering capability, and continuous improvement strategy.
Working closely with European leadership, you will play a key role in ensuring product integrity, customer satisfaction, and operational excellence across all aspects of the Quality Management System (QMS).
You will lead the Quality and Materials Engineering function, ensuring full compliance with industry standards while driving a culture of zero defects and continuous improvement. This role combines strategic leadership with hands-on operational oversight in a technically complex environment.
Key Responsibilities*Lead and maintain the site Quality Management System in line with industry standards (e.g. AS9100, NADCAP, AS13100)
*Own the internal and external audit programme, ensuring ongoing certification and compliance
*Drive a zero-defects culture, reducing quality risk and cost of poor quality
*Ensure structured problem solving using tools such as 8D, PDCA, pFMEA and 5 Why
*Oversee delivery of materials engineering support to production, including validation, approvals and NCR resolution
*Ensure robust capability across specialist areas such as NDT, inspection and failure analysis
*Build strong customer relationships and manage expectations effectively
*Identify and implement improvement initiatives across the plant
*Support lean manufacturing principles and data-driven decision making
*Drive measurable improvements in quality, delivery and cost
*Lead, coach and develop a multidisciplinary team
*Build capability through training, mentoring and succession planning
About YouWe are looking for a strong leader with a technical background and a passion for quality and operational excellence.
*Proven experience in quality and/or metallurgy within a manufacturing environment
*Working knowledge of ISO9001 / AS9100 and regulated quality systems
*Strong problem-solving capability using structured methodologies
*Leadership experience with the ability to develop and inspire teams
*Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
*Degree in Materials Engineering or a related discipline
*Experience in aerospace, defence, or other highly regulated industries
*Knowledge of statistical tools such as Minitab
*Lean manufacturing / continuous improvement expertise