Supplier Quality Leader

Location: Belfast, United Kingdom

Thales is a global technology leader with more than 83,000 employees on five continents. With over 7,500 people in the UK, operating across defence, space, aerospace, and digital security, we help build a future we can all trust. Thales supports the security and stability of our nation by providing extraordinary technology to our customers, as well as delivering social value to the UK with our products and services.

Are you an inquisitive individual that has a passion for Quality Assurance? Are you looking for your next challenge with the opportunity to work within a highly regarded team that will support with your learning and development? Then look no further…

About the role

Thales UK has an exciting opportunity for a Supplier Quality Leader to join our Integrated Airspace Protection Systems UK (IAS) team. IAS brings together people, expertise, and technology to deliver coordinated protection capabilities to the international market. As a Supplier Quality Leader (SuQL), you will be a trusted partner to our Procurement community. You’ll work closely with colleagues across the business to uplift supplier quality performance, encourage shared learning, and support thoughtful, long‑term improvements from supplier selection through to ongoing evaluation.

What this role offers:

• A supportive hybrid working pattern between our Belfast site and home
• A people‑centred role with variety, collaboration, and meaningful interactions across the business
• The chance to represent the voice of the customer and help shape positive outcomes

Main responsibilities:

• Providing quality insight during supplier selection to help teams make confident, informed decisions.
• Working collaboratively to reduce internal non‑quality issues and strengthen processes.
• Enhancing supplier quality monitoring through partnership and continuous improvement.
• Supporting product and process qualification with care and attention to detail.
• Engaging with Procurement leadership to align on shared goals and transformation plans.
• Leading Supplier Quality Improvement Plans (SQIP) and communicating progress with clarity and transparency.
• Offering regular training and guidance to QAMs, sharing best practices and lessons learned.
• Helping teams deepen their root‑cause analysis capability and improve Cost of Non‑Quality understanding.
• Coordinating supplier audit plans with a focus on constructive feedback and long‑term relationships.

About you:

You bring clarity, and confidence to your communication, both written and verbal. You enjoy working collaboratively and building trust across diverse teams. You’re comfortable guiding others, presenting insights to senior stakeholders, and supporting change in a thoughtful, inclusive way. You’ll also bring strengths in data analysis, problem‑solving, project management, and organisational planning. You understand how to balance risks and opportunities with empathy and sound judgement, and you’re confident navigating auditing in supply chain, industrial operations, logistics, and manufacturing environments.

Benefits:

• Performance-related bonus (grade dependent)
• 28 days annual leave (plus bank holidays) with opportunity to buy up to 40 hours/year (pro rata)
• 24 hours volunteering, per year, paid for
• One professional membership, per year, paid for
• Private healthcare (grade dependent)
• Pension scheme
• Life cover
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Program and access to mental wellbeing app
• Employee discount shopping schemes on major brands and retailers
• Gym membership discounts

Security Clearance Requirement:

Due to the nature of the work that we do at Thales, many of our roles are subject to security restrictions. This role requires Security Clearance (SC). It would be advantageous if currently held, however, if not currently held, it is a requirement that the successful applicant undergo, achieve, and maintain SC Clearance prior to commencing employment. To be eligible for full SC, you generally need to have resided in the UK for the last 5 years. In some circumstances, a minimum of 3 years’ residence in the UK over the last 5 years may be accepted, with additional overseas checks.

At Thales, we ensure equal opportunities, pay and working conditions for all. The benefits we offer include private medical insurance, buying or selling annual leave, cycle to work schemes, employee discounts, paid volunteering day, stocks and shares, annual bonus and much more depending on the role. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued for who they are and the unique strengths they bring. Join Thales in the UK – Innovate with us and shape the future!