Qa Test Analyst

Manual QA Tester

Burton on Trent | On-site, 5 days per week (This is non-negotiable)

Up to £40,000 + benefits Permanent | Stand-alone QA role | Market-leading software house

Overview

I am delighted to be working exclusively with an established, market-leading software house is looking for a Manual QA Tester to take full ownership of their testing function. This is a rare opportunity to step into a stand-alone role where you’ll shape, define and mature the entire QA process — working directly with developers, product specialists and senior stakeholders to ensure the delivery of high-quality, robust software used nationwide.

If you’re someone who loves autonomy, accountability, and improving how a business approaches testing, this is the perfect next step.

Key Responsibilities

As the Manual QA Tester, you will:

Test Planning & Execution

• Design, maintain, and execute comprehensive test plans, test scripts and test cases.
• Perform functional, regression, system, integration, UAT and exploratory testing.
• Ensure all software releases meet quality, performance and usability standards.

Process Ownership & Improvement

• Act as the QA authority within the business, owning the end-to-end test lifecycle.
• Introduce best practices, frameworks, documentation, and structured testing approaches.
• Identify gaps in current testing processes and implement improvements.
• Advocate for quality across the development team and wider organisation.

Collaboration

• Work closely with Developers, Product Owners and Project Leads to understand requirements and translate them into test scenarios.
• Participate in sprint planning, refinement sessions and stand-ups.
• Clearly communicate defects, risks and test results to stakeholders.

Documentation & Reporting

• Maintain detailed and accurate defect logs.
• Produce regular quality reports and contribute to release readiness decisions.
• Document new processes, improvements and testing standards.

Skills & Experience Required

Essential

• Proven experience as a Manual QA / Software Tester.
• Strong understanding of the SDLC and the role of QA within Agile environments.
• Experience creating test plans, test cases and test scripts from scratch.
• Hands-on experience with defect tracking and test management tools.
• Ability to liaise confidently with technical and non-technical teams.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and documentation skills.
• A proactive mindset — someone who wants to take ownership and improve things.

Desirable (but not essential)

• Exposure to basic SQL for data validation.
• Experience testing APIs (e.g., using Postman).
• Background in testing SaaS or web-based platforms.
• Any exposure to automation tools or an interest in moving into automation longer-term.

What’s In It For You?

• Salary up to £40,000, depending on experience.
• Full autonomy to build, influence and lead the QA approach.
• Opportunity to work for an established, high-performing software business.
• Collaborative environment with a supportive technical team.
• Clear progression and the chance to shape the future of testing within the organisation.

If this role sounds the right opportunity for yourself then please apply with an updated CV.