Quality Technician

At Hepworth Clay, we believe in building foundations that endure. For over a century, our vitrified clay products have helped shape vital infrastructure – from sewer systems to urban drainage – supporting healthier communities and more resilient cities. Our passion for precision and quality drives us to create solutions that stand the test of time.

Every day, we work with pride, delivering infrastructure that protects groundwater, manages wastewater, and ensures future generations inherit a safer, cleaner environment. We don’t just make pipes; we engineer reliability into the systems that life depends on.

Where heritage meets innovation, we build the future. This is what we stand for. How about you?

At Hepworth Clay, we’re fired to perfection – just like our products – and we’re looking for passionate individuals to join us in shaping a stronger, more sustainable world.

We are seeking a dedicated Quality Technician to play a crucial role in ensuring that our clay products meet specified quality standards and comply with both internal and external requirements.

Requirements of the Quality Technician role are:

Minimum:

· Ability to follow detailed laboratory and test methods and produce accurate, traceable records.

· Good numerical ability, with competence in calculations associated with laboratory and product testing.

· Ability to interpret recognised standards, specifications, acceptance criteria and test results.

· Practical understanding of measurement, calibration, verification and measurement traceability.

· Familiarity with common measuring equipment, including diameter tapes, callipers, verniers and similar devices.

· Ability to recognise, record and appropriately escalate non-conforming or anomalous results.

· Ability to work safely with laboratory chemicals, equipment, test machinery and associated materials.

· Ability to work independently within defined procedures and authorised areas of competence.

· Ability to work effectively under pressure within a close-knit team to meet production and testing requirements.

· Flexible and adaptable approach, with the ability to work across laboratory, Test House and production environments.

· Proactive and constructive approach to working with other departments and challenging issues where appropriate.

· Good organisational skills and attention to detail.

· MS Office proficiency, including Word and Excel.

· Full UK driving licence, due to the location and operational requirements of the site.

Desirable:

· A STEM-based qualification at A-Level or equivalent.

· Previous experience of construction product, materials or cementitious/pozzolanic testing.

· Previous experience working with recognised product or test standards, particularly BS EN 295.

· Previous experience working within an ISO 9001 and/or ISO 14001 certified management system.

· Previous experience conducting internal audits against a recognised management system standard.

· Formal Internal Auditor training or qualification.

· Previous experience using structured problem-solving and root-cause analysis techniques, such as 5-Why, Ishikawa or 8D.

· Previous experience conducting or contributing to COSHH assessments.

· Previous experience of equipment calibration, verification or laboratory measurement systems.

· Forklift licence.

Responsibilities of the Quality Technician role include:

· Conduct laboratory analysis of raw materials, process materials and finished products using documented test methods, procedures and recognised standards.

· Conduct laboratory analysis of pozzolanic/cementitious materials, including physical and chemical testing as required by relevant product standards and internal control procedures.

· Conduct quality control and conformity testing of vitrified clay pipes, fittings and associated products in accordance with BS EN 295 and applicable internal test procedures; including test preparation, equipment set-up, measurement, recording and assessment of results.

· Set up, operate and maintain test house equipment and safely handle the range of product sizes required for routine and non-routine testing.

· Undertake routine verification, calibration and intermediate checks of laboratory and test house measuring and test equipment, maintaining appropriate calibration and equipment records.

· Record, review and report test results accurately, identifying results outside specified limits and escalating non-conforming results in accordance with established procedures.

· Plan, conduct, document and follow up cross-departmental, process and management-system internal audits against company, certification and applicable ISO 9001/ISO 14001 requirements.

· Support root-cause investigations, corrective actions and continual-improvement activities arising from internal testing, customer complaints, audits and non-conformities.

· Support product/material development, trials and validation activities with internal departments, suppliers, customers and external laboratories where required.

· Conduct regular inspections of raw clay materials and finished products to ensure they meet quality standards through mixing, tempering and extrusion of clay samples.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: £28,000.00-£30,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Bereavement leave
• Company events
• Company pension
• Enhanced paternity leave
• Health & wellbeing programme
• Life insurance
• On-site parking
• Referral programme
• Sick pay

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Sheffield S36 4HG: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Experience:

• Quality Technician: 1 year (required)

Work Location: In person