Safety Management Systems (SMS) Manager in High Wycombe

Safran is an international high-technology group operating in the fields of aerospace (propulsion, equipment and interiors), space and defense. Its mission is to contribute sustainably to a safer world, where air transport becomes ever more environmentally friendly, comfortable and accessible. Present on every continent, the Group employs 110,000 people and generated €31.3 billion in revenue in 2025. Safran holds, either independently or through partnerships, leading global or European positions in its markets. Safran was ranked second in the Aerospace & Defense sector in TIME magazine's 'World's Best Companies 2025' ranking.

With more than one million seats installed across the fleets of the world's leading airlines, Safran Seats is one of the global leaders in passenger, crew, aircraft and helicopter seating, delivering innovative, high value-added solutions. In the UK, Safran Seats specialises solely in the First Class and Business Class seating markets for wide body aircraft, with industrial and engineering teams in Cwmbran, Wales.

Our benefits include:

• 33 days holiday (incl. bank holidays)
• Pension Scheme, leading salary sacrifice employer contributions up to 10%
• Private Medical Cover (upgrade to cover family members)
• Salary sacrifice benefits scheme including cycle to work
• 4 x Life Assurance
• Interactive benefits platform (tech, retail benefits & income protection)
• Enhanced family friendly policies & employee assistance programme
• Annual share-save schemes
• Career advancement - Safran University and internal Training and Development Schools
• Corporate Social Responsibility activities

Your Role

As the Safety (SMS) Manager, you will lead and enhance Safran Seats' global Safety Management System, ensuring compliance, reducing risk, and promoting a strong aviation safety culture across all sites worldwide.

• Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of the SMS in line with EASA, ICAO, and aviation regulatory requirements.
• Drive safety culture through hazard identification, risk assessment, occurrence investigation, and risk mitigation.
• Maintain the SMS Manual, procedures, and governance processes, ensuring alignment with DOA, POA, and MOA requirements.
• Deliver audits, inspections, risk assessments, and safety performance monitoring, using data analysis to identify emerging risks.
• Lead investigations into incidents and accidents, identifying root causes and implementing corrective and preventive actions.
• Act as the key point of contact for aviation safety, liaising with the Office of Airworthiness, regulators, customers, and stakeholders.
• Coordinate the global network of Safety Managers and SMS Reporting Officers, promoting consistency and best practice.
• Partner with operational leaders and the Office of Airworthiness to assess, classify, and mitigate safety risks through effective action plans.
• Track and report on Safety Action Plans and risk mitigation activities, working closely with compliance and audit teams.
• Produce and present safety performance, risk, and SMS effectiveness reports to Safety Review Boards and senior leadership.
• Facilitate safety reviews, management briefings, training programmes, and awareness campaigns to strengthen organisational safety capability.

Desirable Experience

We are looking for a safety professional with a strong aviation background and a passion for driving safety excellence across a global organisation. You will bring:

• A degree-level qualification (or equivalent) in Engineering, Aviation, Safety Management, or a related discipline.
• Professional certifications in airworthiness, aviation safety, or quality management (desirable).
• Strong knowledge of aviation regulations, including EASA, ICAO, and applicable civil aviation authority requirements.
• Proven aviation industry experience with a sound understanding of Safety Management Systems (SMS), airworthiness, DOA, POA, MOA, and quality assurance frameworks.
• Practical experience implementing and managing SMS within a medium to large aviation organisation.
• Experience developing and delivering regulatory-compliant safety training and promoting a positive safety culture.
• Strong capability to lead aviation safety initiatives, coordinate safety networks, and engage effectively with stakeholders.
• Experience managing safety performance indicators (KPIs), analysing trends, and presenting safety performance and risk reviews to senior management.
• Knowledge of aviation safety auditing, compliance monitoring, and the management of corrective actions.
• The ability to monitor, interpret, and communicate changes to aviation safety regulations.