Title: Director of Quality
Location: Office based at Granta Park, Cambridge (UK)
Functional area: Operations
Reports to: VP Operations
Sphere Fluidics, a leader in single cell analysis and isolation technologies, seeks an outstanding Director of Quality to join our growing team.
About Sphere Fluidics
Our innovative platforms are built on scientific and engineering expertise spanning over a decade. Originally spun out from the University of Cambridge, we specialize in helping researchers find their most critical cells. Leveraging our picodroplet microfluidic technology, we offer high-throughput solutions for single cell isolation and analysis across various applications, including biologics discovery, cell engineering, and synthetic biology. Work small, think big, with us.
The Role
The Director of Quality is a position which ensures customers always receive the highest quality products. They walk towards fires, help the team identify root cause, collaborate to design effective processes and deliver outstanding results.
Leading the company’s ISO9001:2015 Quality Management System, the Director of Quality will refine, review and recommend updates to existing strategy, processes and KPIs to ensure continuous improvement. The ideal candidate has a track record of effective leadership in a Life Science environment. They will be structured and methodical with excellent planning and problem solving skills, capable of leading teams through change to achieve customer focused results. Passionate about continuous improvement, the Director of Quality will create a no fear culture where issues are shared and teams work together to deliver solutions.
This new hybrid role has a bias towards our global HQ at Granta Park in Cambridge, with the opportunity for travel as business needs dictate but likely no more than 5-10%. Part time working would be considered (minimum 30 hours).
Responsibilities
Strategic
- Act as the Quality figurehead, walk the site to ensure visibility, conformity and understand the pulse of the business.
- Assume responsibility for the company’s Quality Management System, ensuring its effective running and adoption throughout the business.
- Set the company’s Quality Management strategy in collaboration with the VP Operations and key stakeholders from the Senior Leadership Team.
- Cascade Quality initiatives throughout the organisation. Train, coach and mentor others to achieve high standards.
- Ensure current and future product testing is robust and reflects best in class techniques.
- Drive continuous improvement through strategic quality planning processes.
People Management
- Provide leadership to the Quality team, with direct line management of two people Managers.
- Maintain a culture of excellence, leading the team to refine and improve existing processes.
- Inspire, motivate and develop a high performing team of Quality experts.
- Mentor and coach members of the wider Operations team and business to help us fulfil our ambitions of becoming a world class team.
- Influence and build strong working relationships across Sphere Fluidics matrix functions to achieve organisational-level business and quality objectives.
Operational
- Further develop inbound QC of raw materials by determining the key performance characteristics of critical supplies.
- Conduct and oversee audits, reviews and spread good practice throughout the organisation.
- Maintain quality KPIs, sharing the dashboard with members of the senior leadership team for full visibility. Develop strategies to address areas of concern.
- Continuously review quality of existing SOPs, process flows and other quality documentation.
- Act as central point of contact for CAPA progression, liaising with all departments to ensure issues are documented, addressed and overcome.
- Promote use of risk-based approaches, use of sound investigation and corrective action methods. Approve CAPA risk assessments, corrections, containment and communication in response to identified performance issues.
- Monitor supplier performance and engage to discuss and overcome challenges.
Qualifications and Experience
- Minimum 5 years of leadership experience within a Quality environment managing strategy, teams and application of QMS withing Life Science or related field.
- Minimum A level education.
- Previous ISO9001 experience required, GLP/GMP would be advantageous.
- Confident presenting KPIs, recommended actions and other updates at Senior Leadership level.
- Advocate for collaboration and alignment on risk assessment, root cause analysis, training, process metrics, strategic planning and safety-first focus for customers and employees.
- Strong problem solving, strategic thinking, and critical analysis skills; ability to execute an appropriate course of action that complies with quality and regulatory requirements while supporting business objectives.
- Aspires to achieve world class standards.
- Organised, diligent and passionate about attention to detail.
- Proactive, motivated and fully self sufficient.
- Focused, organised and exemplary professional standards.
- Great written and verbal communication skills.
- Thrives when working in a team environment.
- Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint are essential.
The Benefits
- 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
- Employee Share Options (EMI Scheme)
- Company pension scheme with Aviva (employer contributes 8%)
- 4x Life Insurance & Critical Illness Cover
- Private Medical Insurance with Vitality
- Health Cash Plan
- Group Income Protection
- Employee Assistance Program
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Learning & Development opportunities for career growth
- Long Service Bonus – up to 5 extra days holiday
- Recruitment referral scheme (£1,000)
- Flexible working hours to support work-life balance
What’s Next? We will review your application and whilst we would love to get back to every applicant, it is not always possible. If you haven’t heard from us within 4 weeks, please note that your application has not been successful on this occasion.
Sphere Fluidics strives to be an equal opportunities employer. Our policy is to recruit a diverse workforce and follow the guidelines of the Equality Act.