At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead quality assurance in a fast-paced aerospace manufacturing environment.
- Company: Join a leading aerospace manufacturer committed to excellence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, pension scheme, 25 days leave, and private healthcare.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on product quality and compliance in aerospace.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in aerospace quality, strong leadership, and problem-solving skills.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with opportunities for professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 39000 - 49000 ÂŁ per year.
We are looking for an experienced Senior Quality Engineer to join our team at our Derby manufacturing site. This is an excellent opportunity to play a key role in a fast‑paced, high‑quality production environment where your expertise will directly influence product performance, compliance, and continuous improvement.
Responsibilities
- As a Senior Quality Engineer, you will be a trusted technical authority, working closely with production, engineering and supply chain teams to ensure the highest standards of quality are consistently achieved.
Working Hours
- Monday - Thursday: 8.00am - 4.45pm
- Friday: 8.00am - 12.30pm (Early finish every Friday)
Salary
ÂŁ45 - 47,000 per annum, depending on experience
Benefits Package
- Competitive salary
- Company pension scheme
- 25 days annual leave + 8 statutory holidays
- BUPA private healthcare
- Death in Service benefit
- Long Service awards
- Free on‑site parking
Core skills/Attributes needed
Essential
- Minimum of 5 years' experience within the Aerospace Industry, AS9100 requirements & NADCAP
- Minimum of 10 years engineering experience
- Experience in lean tools and practical problem solving such as 8D, Kaizen processes
- High attention to detail, good problem solver and strong communication skills
- In‑depth understanding of engineering/technical documentation and specifications
- A natural leader who can motivate and lead with excellent interpersonal skills
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills as this is a customer faced role
Knowledge and Experience
- Previous internal auditing experience advantageous
- Experience in a quality control environment preferred
- First Article Inspection Report experience
- Experience of machining, fabrication and treatment processes
- Chemical and special processes knowledge
- New Product Introduction & associated tools FMEA, APQP + PPAP awareness
- Ability to resolve issues logically and methodically using proven methods
- Self‑motivated with a desire to learn
Seniority Requirements
A key part of this role will be interacting and communicating with shop floor operators, management and customers. It is essential that you can communicate in a clear and concise manner.
- Setting staff expectations in line with department and company objectives
- Ability to prioritise work based on criticality ensuring timescales are met
- Development, coaching & support of others
- Manage and lead a team to achieve the set expectations
- Manage all quality‑related issues within the manufacturing team (e.g. internal, supplier, customer)
- Monitor and report on quality‑related key performance indicators including scrap monitoring, re‑work levels, parts per million (PPM) figures, NCR status
- Communicate throughout the shop floor, with peers, management and customers
- Carry out team supervision, development reviews & annual resource reviews
- Confident and effective verbal and written communication and presentation skills
Purpose of role and key accountabilities
- To provide quality and inspection support for both existing and new business opportunities and to develop the Right First‑Time philosophy required to become a leading supplier of quality components to the aerospace industry.
- Maintain quality control within the manufacturing process, in line with business standards and customer requirements
- Check and verify the compliance of components produced at all stages within business
- Identify reoccurring quality issues and communicate them to the chief inspector along with recommendations
- Assist in the 5Why, non‑conformance procedures, RCCA & CAPA quality procedures and produce root‑cause analysis of product failures
- Represent the quality function at team meetings
- Support, develop and improve the relationship with quality contacts within our customer base
- Support and promote improvement activities to directly benefit product and processes
- Work within cross‑functional teams to support business development, growth and improvement projects as required
- Support, develop, maintain and improve the company's quality management system and conduct internal audits against the system
- Conduct root‑cause analyses, SPC and other appropriate quality tools and techniques to ensure that the manufacturing processes meet customer requirements
- Activities will focus on the internal quality SQCDP requirements, including closing out actions and reporting against the company requirements
Gardner's key objective is to ensure Right First Time, Every time! Which is achieved by effective allocation, and any issues are resolved in a timely and effective manner.
Measurable performance indicators/objectives of role
- The Candidate 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
Key Performance Indicators
- Reduction in quality escapes from the shop floor with a goal of 0.0004 parts per million
- Reduction in second time manufacture failures
- Reduction in re‑work to 0.0004 parts per million
- Manage and maintain RCCA & CAPA activities
Senior Quality Manager in London employer: Gardner Aerospace Operations UK Limited
Contact Detail:
Gardner Aerospace Operations UK Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Quality Manager in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the aerospace industry, especially those who work at companies you're interested in. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info that could help you stand out.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to quality management and engineering. We recommend using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and showcase your experience effectively.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your problem-solving skills! Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've tackled quality issues in the past. This will demonstrate your ability to think critically and lead teams towards solutions.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Quality Manager in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Quality Engineer role. Highlight your experience in the aerospace industry and any relevant certifications like AS9100. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Mention specific experiences that demonstrate your problem-solving skills and leadership abilities, as these are key for us.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since this role involves a lot of interaction with various teams, make sure to highlight your communication skills in your application. We love candidates who can convey complex ideas clearly and concisely!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Gardner Aerospace Operations UK Limited
✨Know Your Quality Standards
Make sure you brush up on AS9100 requirements and NADCAP standards before the interview. Being able to discuss these in detail will show that you’re not just familiar with them, but that you can apply them effectively in a manufacturing environment.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare specific examples of how you've used lean tools like 8D or Kaizen processes to solve quality issues in the past. This will demonstrate your practical problem-solving abilities and your commitment to continuous improvement.
✨Communicate Clearly
Since this role involves interacting with various teams, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. You might even want to do a mock interview with a friend to refine your communication skills, especially when discussing technical topics.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Qualities
Be ready to talk about your experience in leading teams and how you’ve motivated others to achieve quality objectives. Highlight any coaching or development experiences you’ve had, as this will show that you can manage and inspire a team effectively.