NPD Quality Leader

Job Introduction

At William Grant & Sons, we don’t just produce world-class spirits we craft experiences that are trusted and celebrated across the globe. From Glenfiddich to Hendrick’s Gin, our brands are built on quality, character, and innovation.

As our NPD Quality Leader, you’ll play a pivotal role in ensuring that every new product meets the highest quality standards from concept to launch. You’ll be the quality champion within the NPD Stage Gate process, collaborating with cross-functional teams to embed robust quality controls, resolve issues, and drive continuous improvement.

This is a fantastic opportunity to shape the future of our packaging operations, influence product performance, and contribute to the development of industry-leading standards.

Main Responsibility

• Embedding quality requirements into the NPD Stage Gate process and maintaining all relevant documentation. 
• Managing quality issues during trialling and supporting resolution with NPD project leaders. 
• Developing quality standards for new products and delivering training to packaging quality teams. 
• Leading the implementation of a Quality Review programme to capture learnings and improve product performance. 
• Creating process maps and control plans for all NPD quality activities. 
• Validating quality standards through trial data analysis and reporting improvement opportunities. 
• Monitoring and reporting NPD Quality KPIs, identifying trends and communicating performance. 
• Assisting in the development and sign-off of technical and manufacturing specifications for premium packaging. 
• Supporting operational quality teams in establishing new products and investigating non-conformances. 
• Maintaining accurate records of NPD Quality activities in IFS, Q Pulse, and other systems. 
• Creating and analysing NPD Quality metrics, raising performance issues and ensuring timely corrective actions. 
• Maintaining all NPD Quality documentation in line with governance and Q Pulse requirements. 
• Providing guidance on quality assurance procedures and their practical implementation. 
• Collaborating with peers and applying learnings from training and development activities.

Our Ideal Candidate

• Degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant technical or scientific discipline. 
• Proven experience in quality assurance within a manufacturing or packaging environment. 
• Strong understanding of NPD processes and quality systems (e.g., Q Pulse, IFS). 
• Experience in data analysis, process mapping, and KPI reporting. 
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills. 
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and deliver training effectively. 
• Familiarity with technical specifications and validation processes.

At WG&S, you’re not just joining a company you’re becoming part of a global legacy built on craftsmanship, innovation, and excellence.

What we can offer you

• We offer a competitive salary and benefits which are designed to promote our employees financial wellbeing. Employees are also eligible to participate in a bonus plan.
• Our employees enjoy a generous holiday entitlement and an opportunity to ‘buy’ or ‘sell’ some holiday entitlement.
• Private Healthcare and Doctor@Hand (remote GP service).
• Our employees can join a defined contribution pension plan. Employees contribute either 4% or 5% of salary, the company contributes 8% or 10% depending on the employee contribution. Employee contributions can be made through salary sacrifice.
• Our Employee Assistance Programme offers practical, impartial support on everyday matters ranging from medical, financial and legal to home and family issues. 
• Our Life Assurance cover is a multiple of eight times your annual basic salary.
• Product allocation so that you can enjoy our fantastic portfolio of brands.
• Our Cycle to Work scheme allows you to hire a bike for an agreed length of time, and then snap it up for a fraction of its original value. All while making savings (at least 25%) and spreading the cost.
• Every employee has the opportunity to claim up to £1,000 per year for a charity or charities for which they have raised money, volunteered their time or personally donated.
• Learning resources to help you be your best self.

About William Grant & Sons

A HOME FOR RARE CHARACTERS

William Grant & Sons: a home where Rare Characters thrive.

We value every employee for their rare character, distinctive skills, experience and perspectives. Every one of our colleagues has a role to play in helping us to achieve our growth ambitions.

At William Grant & Sons, our vision is to be A home where rare characters thrive. We value all colleagues for their rare character, distinctive skills, experience and perspectives. Diversity & Inclusion is at the heart of how we do things at William Grant & Sons, fully aligned to our purpose and our company values. We strive to create an environment where we can all be our best and bring our whole selves to work.

OUR AGILE WORKING PHILOSOPHY

Our agile working philosophy is to “Have your best work day everyday”.
Built on trust, we empower our rare characters to have their best work day every day. Where flexibility and positive working experiences help employees to feel connected and release potential across our teams.
We are open to discussing possible agile/flexible working options as part of the recruitment process.

INCLUSIVE RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Diversity & Inclusion is at the heart of how we do things at William Grant & Sons, fully aligned to our purpose and our company values. We want to ensure that our recruitment process is inclusive.