Sharon Milne

Head of Quality @Wilkie

Kirriemuir, GB

I made the move to a Head of Quality role in industrial textiles, a brand new industry for me but I still get to combine my love for problem-solving with ensuring we deliver top-notch products. The challenge of maintaining high-quality standards in a technical field like textiles is what drew me in—it’s not just about the fabric, it’s about ensuring everything meets both industry and customer standards, and keeps operations running smoothly.One of the biggest challenges has been managing the complexity of quality in a field where every material and process can make a huge difference. From checking that the raw materials meet our specs to making sure the final products can stand up to demanding industrial uses, I’ve had my hands full. Anyone in textiles will know, it has its own unique language to learn.I also work closely with our production teams to resolve any quality issues that come up on the floor, which is always interesting because it gives me a direct connection to what’s happening day-to-day. Another big part of my role is making sure we’re always improving—whether it\'s tweaking processes to be more efficient or adopting new quality standards to stay ahead of the curve.This role has taught me a lot about flexibility and collaboration. With so many moving parts, I\'ve learned that strong communication with the production, R&D, and procurement teams is key. What I love most about this role is that no two days are the same. I get to tackle everything from strategic decisions to hands-on problem solving, all while driving continuous improvement. It’s a dynamic field that keeps me on my toes, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Robert Gordon University

Bachelor's degree