Colin Gray
Jarrow,United Kingdom
Summary
Accomplished professional with extensive expertise in integrated management systems and quality management strategies. Demonstrates proficiency in data analysis, root cause analysis, and continuous improvement, with a strong commitment to quality assurance and customer satisfaction. Skilled in ISO 9001 standards, CAPA processes, and performance monitoring techniques, complemented by auditor certification and a deep understanding of manufacturing processes. Adept at mentoring staff and leading teams to achieve operational excellence through lean principles and effective quality control methods. Career goal: to drive organisational success by enhancing quality management systems and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
Overview
36
36
years of professional experience
1989
1989
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work history
Quality Manager
Seaward Electronic
07.2024 - 08.2025
- Built and implemented a quality culture in the organisation based on a Quality Strategy and Framework to achieve 'Best in Class'
- Developed and monitored Key Performance Indicators (KPI's) and Cost of Quality (CoQ) to track quality performance and identify improvement opportunities.
- Developed and implemented supplier quality management systems, resulting in improved supplier performance and reduced costs.
- Developed and implemented a corrective and preventive action (CAPA) system that reduced customer complaints.
- Developed a employee training problem and roll out for quality tools and methodologies.
- Implemented an electronic centralized quality data collection system.
- Utilization of data management tools using Power-Bi and AI tools.
Quality Manager
Coherent Corp.
Newton Aycliffe
02.2023 - 07.2024
- Quality department lead (department of 11 people), Product Audit, Engineers, Reliability and Failure Analysis Lab, Customer Services & Document Control.
- Responsible for the internal audit planning and documentation
- Internal system audits to ISO9001:2015
- Internal auditing findings issue and control responsible
- External certification body liaison
- Internal process changes issue and control responsible
- Electronic Quality management system responsible
- Problem solving methodology lead (8D, 5WHY, FISHBONE)
- Internal Material Review Board control, 5S Responsible.
- Change Control Lead Responsible
Quality Lead (Interim)
Coherent Corp.
Newton Aycliffe
10.2022 - 02.2023
Quality Systems Engineer
Coherent Corp.
Newton Aycliffe
01.2022 - 10.2022
Quality Systems Engineer
NSK BEARINGS EUROPE LIMITED
Peterlee, United Kingdom
05.2018 - 01.2022
- Responsible for plant wide quality management system in accordance to IATF 16949:2016 requirements.
- Electronic Integrated Management System plant responsible.
- Engineering and process change control.
- Quality internal audit lead including planning and control.
- Lead auditor to IATF 16949 and VDA 6.3.
- External certification body liaison.
- Annual quality management system review lead.
Head Of Quality
Marrill Ltd
Gateshead
03.2018 - 04.2018
- Responsible for all group quality strategy and direction, Continuous improvements activities (data driven), Management of 15 quality personnel across two UK locations (organization, assessments, training)
- Driving and implementing quality improvement plans both internally and for external customers.
Lead Auditor
Elring Klinger
Redcar, United Kingdom
09.2017 - 03.2018
- Responsible for the internal audit process, planning and documentation
- Internal system audits to ISO 9001:2015, IATF 16949:2016 & VDA 6.3
- Cause and Countermeasure Reviews
- Project responsible for IATF 16949:2016 transition (gap and risk analysis, action plan implementation and verification)
- Customer interface for IATF 16949:2016 compliance
- External certification body liaison
- Plant Kaizen lead and coordinator
European QMS Specialist
Yazaki Europe Limited
Newcastle upon Tyne
04.2012 - 09.2017
- QMS responsible for 42 locations (Customer Service Centers + Manufacturing Plants).
- QMS implementation and maintenance European wide to ISO 9001:2015 + IATF 16949:2016.
- Global Business Management Systems working group member.
- Interface with external certification body for IATF 16949.
- Working group and system administrator for company global quality concern reporting system.
- European Corporate Lead Auditor and coordinator managing a team of over 24 auditors.
- Currently working on transition to ISO 9001:2015 & IATF 16949:2016
Senior Quality Engineer
Yazaki Europe Limited
Team Valley, Gateshead, UK
08.1995 - 04.2012
- Customer interface for quality issues, quality concern reporting, warranty analysis and reporting, PSW, ANPQP, rework / inspection.
- Interface with plant and 3rd party warehouse.
- 8D reporting.
- PFMEA, DFMEA, Control Plan, Process Flows.
- Internal and corporate level auditing.
Quality Controller
PSI Global
Bowburn, Durham
08.1989 - 08.1995
- In process inspection, goods inward, final test
Education
HND - Mechanical and Production Engineering, Mechanical
New College Durham
Durham 01.1987 - 01.1989
HND - Mechanical and Production Engineering
Fyndoune Sixth Form
Durham 01.1986 - 01.1987
10 CSC's - CSC's
Fyndoune
Durham09.1986
Skills
- Integrated Management Systems (IMS)
- Data analysis and interpretation
- CAPA expertise
- Continual improvement
- Root cause analysis
- Key Performance Indicators (KPI) and Cost of Quality (CoQ)
- Auditing skills IATF16949 and ISO9001
- Quality Management Systems (QMS)
- Microsoft Office proficiency
- Quality management strategies
- Customer satisfaction focus
- Team leadership skills
Websites
Languages
English
Native
Certification
Industry Forum (SMMT) IATF 16949:2016 Lead Auditor
Industry Forum (SMMT) VDA 6.3 Auditor
Accomplishments
Chartered Quality Institute (CQI) - Practitioner
Timeline
Quality Manager
Seaward Electronic
07.2024 - 08.2025
Quality Manager
Coherent Corp.
02.2023 - 07.2024
Quality Lead (Interim)
Coherent Corp.
10.2022 - 02.2023
Quality Systems Engineer
Coherent Corp.
01.2022 - 10.2022
Quality Systems Engineer
NSK BEARINGS EUROPE LIMITED
05.2018 - 01.2022
Head Of Quality
Marrill Ltd
03.2018 - 04.2018
Lead Auditor
Elring Klinger
09.2017 - 03.2018
European QMS Specialist
Yazaki Europe Limited
04.2012 - 09.2017
Senior Quality Engineer
Yazaki Europe Limited
08.1995 - 04.2012
Quality Controller
PSI Global
08.1989 - 08.1995
HND - Mechanical and Production Engineering, Mechanical
New College Durham
01.1987 - 01.1989
HND - Mechanical and Production Engineering
Fyndoune Sixth Form
01.1986 - 01.1987
10 CSC's - CSC's
Fyndoune
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