Head of Quality Systems Hybrid

Find out more about this role by reading the information below, then apply to be considered. UK or International | Global Travel

Shape the Future of Quality at Gardner Aerospace Group. Gardner Aerospace Group is seeking an exceptional Head of Quality Systems to lead, develop, and elevate our global quality framework across a truly international footprint. This is a 100% hybrid role, open to candidates based in the UK or overseas, offering the opportunity to work flexibly while influencing quality excellence across our sites in the UK, France, Poland, and India.

Salary: £65,000 - £70,000 if hired in UK, adjusted if hired in Poland, France, India.

Purpose of role and key accountabilities:

• Transform the Quality Management System to Business Management System and embed the concept of a BMS into the Quality culture throughout the group.
• Develop and support the deployment of the standardised business processes, tools and methods and drive their continuous improvement.
• Evaluate compliance, robustness, effectiveness and maturity of business processes through systematic process maturity assessments and internal audit schemes.
• Develop and manage a robust dynamic internal audit schedule incorporating site internal audit schedules and independent group audit activities.
• Lead process mapping activities to align and improve group wide processes to promote standardisation throughout the group.
• Coordinate, prepare and support activities for group certification by external bodies (incl. AS, EASA etc.).
• Act as focal point of contact for and liaise with external bodies for group approvals and support site Quality management in their role as site focal point.
• Support customer maturity assessments and coordinate internal preparation activities with the concerned manufacturing sites.
• Support the Quality Management reviews.
• Support the other Quality functions upon request.
• Generate visual business metrics, which enables business performance to be tracked on a regular basis against the set targets.
• Work within cross functional teams to support business development, growth and improvement projects as required.
• Manage and develop team as well as supporting the site Quality management teams to ensure the appropriate level of skills and knowledge exist to support the ongoing requirements of the business.
• Work in conjunction with the site management team, identifying opportunities to implement best practice.

Core skills/attributes needed:

• Senior Quality Professional with extensive and demonstrable experience in auditing, maturity assessments and business process management.
• Experience in a highly regulated industry, preferably Aerospace.
• Knowledge of international standards for quality management systems (AS9100, ISO9001).
• Strong process mapping and business process management skills.
• Good knowledge of problem analysis and improvement methodologies (i.e. 8D, Ishikawa, 5-Why, DoE, DMAIC, Kepner Tregoe, 6sigma approach etc.).
• Extensive experience in internal auditing (process, system).
• Knowledge of New Product Introduction & associated tools FMEA, APQP + PPAP.
• Working experience with ERP systems.
• Strong leadership and communication skills covering all levels of the organisation and able to work in cross functional teams.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to prioritise tasks.
• Excellent IT Skills.
• Fluent in English (both written and spoken).

The employee must also strive to support the elements of the SQCDP framework of the wider Gardner business:

• Safety: work in line with all accredited company safety standards in order to provide a safe working environment for all.
• Quality: support the quality accreditations across the business to ensure the delivery of a ‘right first time’ performance.
• Cost: support the continuous improvements in cost reduction activities across the company in order to deliver increased profitability and value for money to our customers and stakeholders.
• Delivery: drive improvement in delivery performance to continually exceed customer expectations and targets.
• People: support organisational capability and influence cultural change by embracing diversity, inclusion, wellbeing and community.

Measurable performance indicators/objectives of role:

• Sustained external approvals and certification to ensure business continuity and growth.
• Approvals and certification up to date with minimal findings from external certification audits.
• A fully described, up to date and managed business process management system in place driving efficiency through the organisation.
• A robust, dynamic and managed internal audit schedule in place, resulting in identification of improvement streams and pro-actively identifying and addressing potential external audit findings.
• Quality tools and methods rolled out and deployed across the group (where agreed) in accordance with the set targets and objectives.
• Improving Quality performance throughout the group with dynamic roadmap in place to support improvement projects.

Remote working/work at home options are available for this role.