Quality Manager - Site Quality Lead

We are seeking a Quality Manager – Site Quality Lead to drive excellence in quality assurance at Leonardo. In this key leadership role, you will ensure that all quality processes, procedures, and systems comply with industry standards, regulatory requirements, and customer expectations. You will be responsible for overseeing quality assurance teams, conducting audits, and leading continuous improvement initiatives to enhance product quality and operational efficiency. Your expertise will play a crucial role in maintaining the highest standards throughout the manufacturing, testing, and delivery processes, ensuring that our products and services not only meet but exceed quality expectations.

If you are a results-driven quality professional with a passion for innovation and compliance, we encourage you to apply and be part of a team committed to excellence.

What you’ll do as a Quality Manager – Site Quality Lead:

• Champion a Quality-Driven Culture: Lead the development and promotion of a strong quality culture within your line of business, aligning with the overall Quality Strategy to drive excellence.
• Strengthen Quality Processes: Establish and maintain robust quality-process links with both internal and external customers, ensuring full compliance with the Business Management System while embedding best practices across the organisation.
• Drive Continuous Improvement: Collaborate with key stakeholders to proactively identify and resolve quality challenges, implement improvement initiatives, and enhance overall operational efficiency.
• Implement Advanced Quality Techniques: Develop, promote, and support the application of advanced quality methodologies based on risk management, with a strong focus on problem prevention rather than reaction.
• Innovate and Evolve Quality Practices: Continuously evaluate and refine quality processes, incorporating customer value co-creation, digitalisation, emerging technologies, waste reduction, and sustainability into everyday operations.
• Lead and Develop the Quality Team: Organise, coach, and mentor a team of Quality Engineers, ensuring they are equipped to integrate quality principles throughout the project/product lifecycle and provide assurance expertise across various projects and programs.
• Oversee Assurance and Compliance Activities: Support and manage key quality assurance functions, including: Development and execution of Project Assurance Plans (PAP), Non-conformance management (MRB, complaint resolution), Root cause analysis and risk management, Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) initiatives, Cost-of-quality and cost-of-non-quality reduction programs, Internal and external audits.
• Monitor and Report Performance: Define and maintain a set of key performance indicators (KPIs) to drive informed decision-making and continuous improvement.
• Represent Quality at Senior Levels: Act as the key Quality representative in Sector, Programme, and Integrated Project Team (IPT) meetings, providing strategic input and ensuring quality considerations are prioritized.
• Support Risk Management and Opportunity Realization: Develop and implement programme-specific assessment plans that help Programme Managers mitigate risks and maximize opportunities.
• Manage Budget and Resource Allocation: Oversee the functional cost centre finances and forward planning to ensure the appropriate level of quality support is available for all projects.

What we need from you:

• Industry Expertise: Proven experience in a similar role within electronics, avionics, automotive, defence, space, or other advanced manufacturing industries.
• Advanced Quality Tools: Strong knowledge of Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), Control Plans, and Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP), with expertise in lifecycle management.
• Root Cause & Corrective Action Expertise: Proficient in 8D, DMAIC, and other problem-solving methodologies to drive continuous improvement and prevent recurring issues.
• Quality Standards & Compliance: In-depth understanding of AS9100 and ISO 9001 standards, with experience in applying them to maintain and enhance quality systems.
• Audit & Supply Chain Quality: Experience in conducting quality audits to AS9100, ISO 9001, and DAOS standards, with supply chain auditing experience considered a plus.
• Strategic & Solution-Oriented Thinking: Ability to take a proactive, problem-solving approach to quality challenges, driving long-term solutions and continuous improvement.
• Project & Organisational Skills: Strong organisational abilities with experience in developing, managing, and executing project plans to meet business and quality objectives.

Security Clearance: You must be eligible for full security clearance.

Life at Leonardo: With a company funded benefits package, a commitment to learning and development, and a flexible approach to working hours focused on the needs of both our employees and customers, a career with Leonardo has never offered as many opportunities or been more accessible to as many people.

• Flexible Working: Flexible hours with hybrid working options.
• Company funded flexible benefits: We offer award-winning flexible benefits plan, having won the Best Flexible Working Policy Award, Best Flexible Benefits Strategy and Best Flexible Benefits Plan in 2023.
• Holidays: 25 days plus bank holidays, option to buy/sell leave and to accrue up to 12 additional flexi leave days per year.
• Pension: Award winning pension scheme (up to 15% employer contribution).
• Wellbeing: Employee Assistance Programme, access to Mental Health support, Financial wellbeing support, network groups (Enable, Pride, Equalise, Reservists, Carers).
• Lifestyle: Discounted Gym membership, Cycle to work scheme.
• Training: Free access to more than 4000 online courses via Coursera.
• Referral Incentive: You can earn a reward for successfully referring a friend or family member.
• Bonus: Scheme in place for all employees at management level and below.

Leonardo is a global high-tech company and one of the key players in Aerospace, Defence and Security. Headquartered in Italy, Leonardo has over 45,000 employees, of which 7,000 are based in the UK. At Leonardo UK, we believe that a diverse and inclusive work environment unlocks our people’s full potential and drives innovation and creativity. We work hard to offer a welcoming, accessible and inclusive place to work for all of our people, creating a culture where everyone can thrive, feel safe and have a sense of belonging and connection. This is a great opportunity to bring your talents and form an integral part of Leonardo’s future. We can help you develop your skills and offer great opportunities to develop and grow, so why not join us.

Primary Location: GB - Southampton

Contract Type: Permanent

Hybrid Working: Onsite