Quality Manager - Aerospace & Defence
UK‑based | Aerospace & Defence Manufacturing | Permanent
Our client is seeking an experienced and proactive Quality Manager to establish, maintain, and continuously evolve a standalone UK Quality Management System (QMS).
The primary focus of this role is to maintain ISO 9001 certification while leading the implementation of a standalone AS9100‑compliant QMS within a 12‑month timeframe, operating independently from an overseas manufacturing site that maintains its own AS9100 system.
This role is critical in defining acceptance criteria, inspection methodologies, and measurement systems for products transitioning from UK‑based development into international production, ensuring consistent quality standards across sites.
In addition, the Quality Manager will support defence‑related programmes, including inspection and validation of components manufactured overseas and routed through the UK to support UK sovereign capability requirements.
This is a senior, hands‑on quality leadership role within a growing aerospace and defence environment.
Key Responsibilities
Short‑Term Responsibilities (0-12 months)
* Maintain and continuously improve a standalone ISO 9001‑certified QMS for UK operations.
* Lead the development and implementation of a standalone AS9100‑compliant QMS, achieving certification within 12 months.
* Conduct a comprehensive gap analysis between existing ISO 9001 systems and AS9100 requirements, defining and executing a structured implementation roadmap.
* Develop, standardise, and deploy QMS documentation, processes, controls, and governance tailored to UK operations.
* Define acceptance criteria and inspection methodologies for all products transitioning from UK development into international production.
* Establish and manage robust measurement and verification processes, including conventional inspection and measurement techniques and introduction and integration of advanced metrology technologies, such as 3D scanning.
* Work closely with Project Managers to ensure quality requirements are embedded into pre‑production, NPI, and transfer activities.
* Plan, coordinate, and lead internal audits, ensuring readiness for ISO 9001 surveillance and AS9100 certification audits.
* Train and upskill teams on quality standards, inspection methods, and compliance expectations.
* Ensure alignment with customer, regulatory, aerospace, and defence requirements.
* Implement and manage non‑conformance, root cause analysis, and CAPA processes, driving effective corrective and preventive actions.
Long‑Term Responsibilities (12+ months)
* Maintain ISO 9001 and AS9100 certifications, ensuring ongoing compliance and audit readiness.
* Continuously evolve the standalone UK QMS to support business growth and increasing programme complexity.
* Own and develop inspection and measurement strategies, including further adoption of advanced metrology and verification technologies.
* Ensure robust quality assurance for parts transferred between UK and international manufacturing operations, maintaining consistency across independent QMS systems.
* Lead the inspection and validation of defence‑related components, ensuring compliance in support of sovereign capability claims.
* Act as the quality authority for cross‑site transfers, ensuring clear acceptance standards, traceability, and verification processes.
* Support customer, regulatory, and third‑party audits, particularly within aerospace and defence sectors.
* Drive a strong culture of quality, accountability, and continuous improvement across UK operations.
* Collaborate with senior leadership to align quality strategy with long‑term business and operational objectives.
Skills & Experience
* Proven experience in a Quality Manager role within aerospace, manufacturing, or composites environments.
* Strong working knowledge of ISO 9001 and AS9100, with hands‑on experience implementing AS9100 systems.
* Experience building and managing standalone QMS structures within multi‑site or international organisations.
* Strong understanding of inspection methods, metrology, and quality verification techniques, including exposure to 3D scanning technologies.
* Experience defining acceptance criteria and inspection processes for production, development, and transfer environments.
* Familiarity with defence programme requirements and quality compliance considerations (highly desirable).
* Proven experience managing internal and external audits and certification processes.
* Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with expertise in root cause analysis and CAPA.
* Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
Key Competencies
* Strong leadership and accountability.
* High attention to detail and process discipline.
* Structured, analytical problem‑solving.
* Ability to implement and mature systems in a growing organisation.
* Effective cross‑functional and cross‑site collaboration.
Location: UK‑based role with regular interaction with international manufacturing operations. Travel may be required.
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