Quality Manager - 12 Month Fixed Term

Ontic, a leading licensor and manufacturer of complex engineering parts for the global aerospace and defence industries, is now recruiting for a Quality Manager to join our team here at Staverton on a 12 month fixed term contract. Ontic is more than just a business; we are a community of innovators who pride ourselves on fostering a culture where talent thrives, ideas flourish, and careers are built. We are committed to excellence, driving us to continuously improve and adapt, ensuring that we remain at the forefront of our industry.

Job Purpose

The Operations Quality Manager is accountable and responsible for the execution of the overall Operations Quality strategy through the leadership of the quality engineering and FAI (First Article inspection) teams. Working at both a strategic and operational level, the Operations Quality Manager will:

• Support the Site Head of Quality in the creation and translation of strategic directive to operational initiatives.
• Ensure the successful support of operations including manufacture and repair area(s) and the wider business.
• Guide and coach staff in managing the implementation of quality initiatives.

The Role

• Provide direction to, manage and lead the Production Quality Engineers.
• Build and maintain relationships with the wider business including operational and business functions to facilitate a link between the front office and transactional part of the business.
• Oversee the Operational Quality requirements (FAIR’s, Quality Contract Requirements etc.), and internal and external RCCA requirements.
• Maintain awareness and manage production forecast/capacity plans and support the adjustment of operational performance to deliver in accordance with demand and plan.
• Act as a point of escalation for all Operations Quality technical and people concerns and queries.
• Support and guide Quality Engineers through effective coaching to support their development.
• Maintain, monitor and execute department training and development plan in line with strategic talent and succession planning initiatives.
• Assure adherence to all regulatory requirements and processes for both technical and people practices in allocated area.
• Proactively participate in the adoption of new products focusing on training, processes, and floor space/layout.
• Be proactive in setup, staffing and training to support new adoptions.
• Monitor, maintain, and improve Quality KPI’s in accordance with established goals.
• Support the Head of Quality in creating departmental budget packs and monitor departmental expenditure to the approved budget.

About You

• Educated to a minimum of HNC (in Engineering, Business, or related field) or equivalent related experience and ability to demonstrate experience of working at a similar level.
• Must have experience of working within an Aerospace Environment & AS9100.
• Must have knowledge of CAA regulations of both Part 21 and Part 145 or aptitude to learn technical information covering both manufacture and repair business areas.
• Demonstrate strong people management and leadership skills.
• Proficient in the use of MRP/ERP business operating systems.
• Significant experience in the ability to evaluate and resolve product/process problems, including the use of RCCA methodologies – experience in APQP and lean principles desirable.
• Possess excellent communication skills both verbal and written with particular attention to detail.
• Working knowledge of continuous improvement principles.
• Proactively identify and close capability through effective personal development activities to ensure the needs of the business are met.
• Planning and organising skills to ensure multiple tasks are prioritised and monitored to deliver set objectives.
• Recognise and understand internal/external customer requirements and respond to them in a timely manner.
• Highly self-motivated and demonstrate a determination and persistence to deliver results despite obstacles and setbacks.
• Recognise and understand regulatory and certification requirements, and respond to them.
• Able to work in a team environment and participate in all team activities, with a willingness to share experience and skills and promote the development of team members.
• Able to work outside core hours and be flexible to react to the business priorities.

Benefits

At Ontic we care about your financial, physical, and mental wellness so we offer a range of benefits to support this, we care about what matters to you and have a valued culture of recognition and empowerment, accompanied by benefits that support work/life balance. Our Benefits Package Highlights Include:

• Up to 29 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays.
• 10 hours paid volunteering time.
• Annual goal share bonus scheme for all employees.
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Discounts and offers from a range of retailers.

Best place to work

We are more than the sum of our parts. And we’ve been recognised internally and externally for being so: We were ranked #9 in Best Companies’ Q3 leaderboard for Best Manufacturing Company based on our employee feedback. 72.5% of employees who took part in our 2023 employee satisfaction survey said they are proud to work at Ontic. No day is the same at Ontic; we have doubled in size over the last couple of years and are still in rapid growth. We attribute our success to empowering colleagues to create the opportunity, fostering an environment of autonomy where we ask for forgiveness, not permission.

Our Values Are Intrinsic To Everything We Do

We share a common sense - we’re a global family of specialists with a shared passion for precision. We have the freedom to choose - we’re challengers and innovators with the freedom to think differently and challenge the status quo. We create the opportunity - we’re change‑makers with a clear direction and can‑do spirit.

We are a fast‑paced business with ambitious growth plans; so if you are dedicated, enthusiastic and always seeking ways to improve, you will enjoy a career with us!