Testing Manager

Testing Manager Proving that equipment performs before it reaches the people relying on it Reports to Lead Product Manager Location Newport, with occasional travel to suppliers and external test houses Hours Full time, Monday to Friday Package £40,000 per annum, plus performance-related incentives on completion of probation. 22 days holiday, free onsite parking and EV charging, and onsite lunch and refreshments provided. This role takes ownership of product and material testing. You will plan and run test programmes, develop the methods behind them, and build and maintain the test report library that Design, Quality and Commercial colleagues draw on when responding to customer requirements. Alongside that, you will help bring our new in-house R&D laboratory into operation — from equipment and cost analysis through to the processes and accreditation behind it. It suits someone who is comfortable owning testing end to end, working to firm deadlines, and holding a clear line on what the evidence does and does not show. ABOUT ARCUS BY FlamePro Arcus by FlamePro designs and supplies defence apparel, signature management solutions and medical capability equipment to the UK MOD and to NATO and EU defence customers. Requirements vary considerably between opportunities, so the evidence we hold on how our products perform is what allows us to answer a customer precisely rather than approximately. The Product Development team is growing, and this role sits at the point where design and test evidence meet. CORE PURPOSE To generate reliable, traceable evidence of how our products and materials perform — to the timelines the business is working to — and to establish the in-house testing capability that lets us develop, validate and iterate products faster. WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING Planning and running testing – Own product and material test programmes from specification through to reported result. – Perform and oversee testing in house, and place and manage work with external test houses where specialist capability is needed. – Develop, document and refine test methods so results are repeatable and comparable over time. Evidence and records – Build and maintain the test report library so current, correctly interpreted evidence is always available to the business. – Keep accurate, traceable records of test activity, conditions and outcomes. – Interpret and present results clearly to colleagues who need to act on them, including where a result is inconclusive. – Track developments in the standards and test methods relevant to our products, and flag where they affect current or planned designs. Building the R&D laboratory – Support the setup and accreditation of our new in-house R&D laboratory, including cost analysis, equipment sourcing and process development. – Establish the working practices, calibration and record-keeping the laboratory runs on. – Work with Design and Quality colleagues to build testing into product development earlier, rather than treating it as a final hurdle. WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR – Experience in material and product testing, and working knowledge of the standards and test methods that apply to protective and technical apparel. – Strong organisational and problem-solving skills, with close attention to detail. – The ability to hold several test programmes and deadlines in view at once and keep them moving. – Sound judgement in interpreting results, and the confidence to report them straight. – Confident relationship management with suppliers and external test houses. – Competent with Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Publisher. – Humble, Hungry, Smart — our shorthand for the attitude we look for: down-to-earth, driven, and quick to learn. CAREER PATH This is a role with room to grow into. As the laboratory becomes established, the scope of the position grows with it — from running testing for our current range to shaping how testing works across the whole product portfolio, and taking on responsibility for the capability and the people within it. We invest in training and development, including the technical qualifications and test method accreditation relevant to the role. OUR VALUES – Responsibility — we are accountable for our actions and results – Honesty — we do the job right and do not compromise – Passion — we are enthusiastic, ambitious and curious – Attitude — humble, hungry, smart – Initiative — we look for better ways and make them happen If this role fits the work you want to be doing, we would be glad to hear from you. Please submit your CV and a short covering note setting out your testing experience.