Site Quality Manager

Job Summary

It’s great to know you’re making a difference to the future of aviation! Whatever part you play you’ll be helping us deliver operational excellence to our customers. Based at our Luton manufacturing plant you’ll do just that. Established in 1993, GKN Aerospace in Luton is a world leader in commercial and military ice protection systems and transparencies. Offering a full range of capabilities; design, analysis, testing, certification and manufacture of electro-thermal ice protection, military fast jet canopies and flight deck windows to over 20 programmes including: Boeing 787, Dreamliner, AgustaWestland, AW101, Eurofighter Typhoon and Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor. Our customers include Boeing, Airbus, Lockheed Martin, Bell Helicopters, Textron, BAE Systems, Pratt & Whitney, Leonardo. Our Luton site is home to 370+ employees and onsite facilities including onsite parking, food hub and vending machines.

We're hiring a Site Quality Manager to join our team at our Luton manufacturing facility. This is a Senior Site Leadership role responsible for planning, implementing, assuring, and continuously improving the Quality Management System (QMS) and Business Management System (BMS) to meet the needs and expectations of the site's interested parties, while maintaining all associated certifications and regulatory approvals. The role is accountable for supporting and assuring Product Safety, Product Quality, and Customer Satisfaction through zero-defect quality planning, effective product realisation and delivery, the provision of customer support, and the application of robust risk management, problem-solving, and quality improvement practices.

As a key member of the Site Leadership Team, the Site Quality Manager will provide expert guidance, governance, and leadership to foster a culture of quality across all site activities. The role will ensure ongoing quality compliance while supporting the achievement of business objectives, including leading initiatives focused on Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ) reduction, driving effective 8D/RCCA investigations, and facilitating complex A3 problem-solving activities to support operational excellence and continuous improvement.

GKN Luton is a stable, high-performing facility with ambitious growth plans for the months and years ahead. This is a unique opportunity to play a key role in shaping the site's future. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to transform and develop the Quality function, creating a high-performing team that supports continued operational excellence and future growth.

Job Responsibilities

• Working collaboratively with the site Senior Leadership Team to create and sustain a Quality culture and provide appropriate governance and assurance leadership
• Plan and assure availability of Quality related resources and continuously lead/support capability development and improvement
• Planning, implementation, maintenance and continuous improvement of the site QMS/BMS and product quality in compliance with industry standards, applicable Aviation Safety laws, Regulatory Requirements, customer and GKN Aerospace Global Standards requirements (APMS) 
• Systemic analysis of QMS/BMS data such as process performance measures, CA timeliness, trend analysis and KPI to the site Management Review process ensuring effective, data based, factual inputs to business decisions
• Responsible for scheduling, undertaking, reporting and resourcing of audits to ensure ongoing compliance against the Customer, Regulatory and 3rd Party requirements and industry standards, as well as GKN’s own requirements and delivering on site follow up activities to ensure successful outcomes of the audits
• Planning, conducting & follow up activities (including systemic analysis of risk/opportunity) of product and production process audit as required by the programmes and to assure proper discharge of delegated product quality related activities in the organisation in support of product safety and conformity.
• Systemic risk management and mitigation for Quality with focus on compliance, assurance, deployment and effectiveness. Escalating any Quality risks including product performance affecting customers to the Site Leadership, and if applicable/appropriate the accountable manager (POA/MOA) and Business Line Quality Director for support/co-ordination of appropriate actions to mitigate/address these risks
• Coordination, planning, hosting and leadership of all Customer (2nd party) & Certification Body (3rd party) audits and assessments of the Quality Systems and Special Processes to ensure successful outcome and, supporting Site Local Business Process Owners in resolving any issues raised as part of the audits
• Act as the site representative for the certified entity and Quality related matters with Customers, Certifying Bodies and Aerospace Authorities.
• Coach the site to ensure the adoption of the GKNA Global Standards, adapting and tailoring the local QMS/BMS processes and improve effectiveness and efficiency, to support achieving  business objectives
• Planning and management of the system requirements for hosting and deployment of the local QMS/BMS, its stated processes & associated controls and for training people who will be defining/utilising its functions
• Recording and measuring of any defined Site Quality Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) including Quality Escapes and Cost of Poor Quality and for taking the actions necessary to improve
• Managing Continuous Improvement of the QMS/BMS as well as forward planning on the integration of new regulation/specification requirements
• Where applicable, is responsible to the Regulatory Authorities for all product Compliance to the various Airworthiness Regulations and holds the authority for the approval of all product conformance documentation such as the EASA Form 1 (Product Airworthiness Certificate) and Certificates of Conformity
• Provides guidance to and act as a point of escalation for personnel with delegated Quality authorities and top-level arbitration to resolve conflicts between personnel with delegated Quality authority and line management

What You'll Bring

To help us make a difference, you’ll bring your passion and talent for what you do along with the following skills, experience, qualifications and attributes:
Essential:
• Qualifications in Business Management and/or Quality Management (such as university degree, master’s degree, Certificate in Management etc.) or Engineering/Technical degree, with proven experience in Quality in manufacturing environment
• Demonstrated knowledge, experience and training of ISO 9001, AS/EN/JISQ9100, Aviation Regulatory (EASA, FAA, CAA etc) & customer quality requirements and application of these into an accredited QMS/BMS
• Experience of developing, deploying and maintaining QMS/BMS 
• Experience of overseeing and validating the effectiveness of manufacturing operations training, work instructions and Quality controls (i.e Processes, Inspection and Testing)
• Good understanding of risk-based methodology and Human Factors.
• Demonstrated knowledge, experience and training in APQP and its application
• Effective use of the ISO 9001 Process Effectiveness Assessment Report (PEAR) & the processes defined within AS 9101
• Knowledge of ISO 19011 and use of process and risk-based methods and techniques for audit planning and execution
• Use and practical knowledge and experience of the IAQG OASIS and Nadcap eAuditnet databases and for the input to audit planning
• Development of people, their Quality (product and QMS/BMS) knowledge of the importance and value of Quality and Product Safety within and outside direct control and the experience of developing a robust Quality Culture throughout the organization
• Good knowledge of the Industry Quality forums that define the standards such as IAQG, AESQ, NADCAP etc.
• An effective problem solver with strong knowledge of tools such as 8D/RCCA

Desirable:
• AS13100 its deployment and sustained application (note this is required for Engines BL sites)
• Experience of aviation Regulatory requirements for design and manufacturing, specifically Part 21G and J, Part 145 & FAA Part 183 (note part 145 experience required for sites with Part 145 approval)
• Commercial awareness;
• Six Sigma/Lean Manufacturing/Continuous improvement skills;
• Experience dealing with customers, certifying bodies and suppliers; 
• Thorough understanding of the content and application of the IAQG SCMH
• Knowledge of and experience in application of process management and risk management principles in context of QMS/BMS planning, development and assurance
• APQC knowledge or experience with common industry process classification frameworks.  Creative and innovative in non-traditional means of compliance to innovate Business management systems
• AATT/IRCA training on AS9100 and/or AS9110
• Demonstrated knowledge, experience and training in Lean and its application within a business management context
• Clear understanding of how the QMS/BMS supports the deployment of the business values, strategic goals/objectives and how these are aligned to the organisations key processes

Additional information

We are looking for individuals who want to make a difference and have the talent, drive, and passion to excel in what they do. The Site Quality Manager will be a strong and collaborative leader, capable of coaching and developing others while working effectively within a matrix organisation. The successful candidate will be a proactive self-starter with the ability to motivate and inspire colleagues, fostering high levels of engagement and performance across the business. They will possess excellent communication and presentation skills, alongside the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels. A passion for mentoring, coaching, and developing talent is essential, including supporting succession planning and helping individuals and teams reach their full potential.

Note: Some GKN programmes are subject to regulatory restrictions which may impact certain nationalities. As part of the application process you will be asked to declare when applying for this role. The position requires UK National Security Vetting (UKNSV) Security clearance (SC) due to the nature and responsibilities of the work carried out. In order for us to obtain an SC you usually need to have been resident in the UK for a minimum of 5 years to current date (but we do assess each case individually).

Core operational hours at our Luton site are: 07:30 - 16:30 Monday to Thursday & 07:30 - 12:30 Friday. The role requires flexibility for some Regional travel and occasional international travel. 

What We'll Offer

Once you’re on board you’ll get the following perks and benefits:
• Competitive salary dependent on experience
• Comprehensive benefits package to include annual bonus and car allowance
• Industry Leading Pension Scheme = we’ll match your contributions up to 8% on a 1 : 1.5 basis
• Life Assurance 8 x salary
• 185 hours holiday + bank holidays
• Income protection
• Shopping discounts
• Cycle To Work Scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Virtual GP Clinic for you and immediate family
• Electric Vehicle (EV) salary sacrifice scheme (Insurance, servicing, maintenance, roadside assistance and more included)
• Free onsite parking 
• Local gym discount 
• Free airport parking 
• Enhanced family friendly leave
• A collaborative, dynamic working environment 

As well as a competitive package we’ll offer you a world of opportunity. We want to see your career fly! We’ll support your career progression by providing you with learning and development opportunities. That’s the beauty of being part of a global business, once you’re on board you never know where you career journey may take you! 

Join us and keep the world moving … click on the link below to apply

#LI-ONSITE

#LI-CH1