Quality Team Leader

Main Purpose of the Position:

The Quality Team Leader is responsible for leading the quality team, assurance and control activities within the Rugby beverage can-making facility. This role ensures all production meets company, customer, and regulatory quality standards. The position maintains and improves the quality performance of the team, department and the site, whilst directing quality technicians, coordinating inspections and testing, managing quality documentation, and drives continuous improvement through data-driven problem solving and adherence to FSSC 22000, GMP, and HACCP systems.

Key Responsibilities:

Quality Control & Assurance

• Supervise daily quality inspection activities across all production areas, including Bodymaker, Decorator, Necker, and vision inspection systems (e.g., Pressco CPX).
• Ensure compliance with specifications for can dimensions, coating weight, decoration, and seam integrity.
• Oversee sampling and testing procedures for raw materials, in-process cans, and finished products.
• Review SPC data and control charts; ensure corrective actions are implemented when trends or non-conformities occur.
• Maintain traceability and proper documentation in accordance with FSSC 22000 and customer requirements.
• Verify calibration and functionality of inspection and measurement equipment.
• Oversee Customer proofing process in conjunction with Platemaking, Shift QA and Production Teams

• Use Plant systems such as PDS, SAP, Infinity and Production databases to aid problem solving, root cause analysis and traceability.

• Attend various Production, Planning & Quality meetings and deliver information data relevant to each meeting
• Planning/Implementing quality projects
• Attend Technical meetings
• Succession Planning & Training for the Quality Team
• Customer facing support and complaint handling
• Stock control and management of Quarantined materials

Leadership & Team Development

• Strong Empathetic People Leader
• Lead, coach, and develop a team of quality technicians and samplers.
• Conduct regular 1-2-1 sessions with Quality team and established clear development plans.
• Schedule and allocate team resources effectively across 5-shift operations.
• Conduct on-the-job training on quality inspection techniques, GMP, and safety.
• Promote a culture of accountability, teamwork, continuous improvement and sustainability
• Deliver Clear communication plans.

Problem Solving & Continuous Improvement

• Lead root cause analysis (RCA, A3s) and corrective/preventive actions (CAPA) for quality issues.
• Participate and lead, in cross-functional problem-solving with Production, Maintenance, and Engineering teams.
• Support quality-related projects such as process capability improvement and defect reduction.
• Analyze quality data and prepare reports for management review (e.g., daily defect trends, non-conformance reports) and draw clear and concise conclusions.
• Implement Sustainable Solutions within a multi-shift continuous production site.

Compliance & Systems

• Ensure adherence to HACCP, GMP, Allergen Control, and FSSC 22000 standards.
• Support internal and external audits (customer, certification, or regulatory).
• Review and update SOPs and OPLs, inspection checklists, and quality forms as needed.
• Participate in risk assessments and validation activities for new products or process changes.

Scope of Position:

Budgets Responsible for:       Yes - Quality Budget

Contacts within Ardagh:          All Production personnel

Contacts outside of the Company:     Customers / LRD (External Ardagh departments)

Professional Requirements:

Qualifications: 

   Education & Experience (Required)

• Formal Quality qualification or demonstrable knowledge
• 5 GCSE’s or equivalent including Math’s and English
• Quality and Auditing related Qualifications
• Minimum 3–5 years’ experience in quality assurance/control, preferably in can-making, metal packaging, or high-speed manufacturing, FMCG.
•  Proven Supervisory or team lead experience (Min 3 years)

(Desirable)

• Food Safety qualification (FSSC/BRC)

Technical Skills (Required)

• Strong understanding of SPC, Capability (CPK), MSA, and quality tools (5 Whys, Fishbone, FMEA).
• Working knowledge of FSSC 22000 or BRC, HACCP, GMP, and ISO 9001 systems.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and data analysis tools.

(Desirable)

• Familiarity with automated inspection systems/ vision inspection systems is an advantage.
• Lean qualification/Six Sigma Green Belt Minimum

Soft Skills

• Excellent communication and proven leadership abilities both one to one and in a group.
• Strong analytical and decision-making skills.
• Detail-oriented with a proactive approach to problem-solving.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, multi-shift manufacturing environment.
• Positive “can do” attitude
• Results driven
• Detailed Follow up and Completer Finisher of tasks.
• Excellent Communication skills and the ability to create trusted professional relationships

Languages:            

• Fluent in written and spoken English

Computer Skills:      

• Proficient in Word, Excell, PowerPoint, SPC Packages
• Ability to learn internal Quality user Systems, LIMS

Previous Job / Project Experience:

• Experience in leading and developing at a high performance level
• Previous experience in a high-volume manufacturing environment
• Extensive experience of working in Quality Assurance
• Experience in dealing with customers and suppliers
• Six Sigma Training (Min Green belt) Desirable
• Strong knowledge of SPC & Capability (CPK)
• Membership of an industry related Professional Body would be advantageous

Competencies: (Please mark eight essential competencies for the position)

Action Oriented

X

Dealing with Ambiguity

Boss Relationships

Approachability

X

Business Acumen

Career Ambition

Caring About Direct Reports

X

Comfort Around Higher Mgmt

Command Skills

Compassion

Composure

Conflict Management

Confronting Direct Reports

x

Creativity

Customer Focus

X

Timely Decision Making

X

Decision Quality

X

Delegation

X

Developing Direct Reports

X

Directing Direct Reports

X

Managing Diversity

Ethics and Values

X

Fairness to Direct Reports

Functional / Technical Skills

X

Hiring and Staffing

Humor

Informing

Innovation Management

Integrity and Trust

X

Intellectual Horsepower

Interpersonal Savvy

Learning on the Fly

Listening

Managerial Courage

x

Managing / Measuring Work

Motivating Others

Negotiating

X

Organizational Agility

Organizing

X

Dealing with Paradox

Patience

Peer Relationships

Perseverance

X

Personal Disclosure

Personal Learning

Perspective

Planning

X

Political Savvy

Presentation Skills

X

Priority Setting

X

Problem Solving

X

Process Management

X

Drive for Results

X

Self Development

Self Knowledge

X

Sizing up People

Standing alone

Strategic Agility

Managing Through Systems

Building Effective Teams

X

Technical Learning

X

Time Management

X

TQM / Re-Engineering

Understanding Others

x

Managing Vision and Purpose

Work / Life Balance

Written Communications

X

Work Pattern:            42 hours per week

                                                Monday to Thursday - 8.00am to 4.30pm, Friday 8.00am to 4.00pm

Date Approved:

Jan 2026

Authorised By:

Paul Mills

 QA Manager

Reviewed By:

Grace Lyne