Quality Manager

Role: Quality Manager

Location: Near Basildon, Essex

Sector: Aerospace

Salary: £50,000 basic + benefits

This role would also be suitable for an ambitious Quality Engineer looking to step up into their first Quality Manager position.

If you’re an aerospace quality specialist who wants full ownership of site quality, enjoys time on the shop floor as much as in front of auditors, and is comfortable being “the” quality voice in the business, this will suit you well.

You’ll lead the Quality and Inspection function in a precision aerospace environment, acting as the Management Representative for AS9100 / ISO 9001 and setting the tone for how quality is run across the site.

The Opportunity

• Take end-to-end responsibility for how quality is structured, documented and governed across the business.
• Shape how the inspection function operates day-to-day, from workload planning through to training and performance.
• Be the named contact for customers, auditors and regulators on all quality-related topics.
• Use data, trends and shop-floor feedback to tighten processes and cut out repeat issues.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Redesign and refine quality procedures so they are practical, understood and consistently followed.
• Build in checks and controls at each stage of manufacture so problems are caught early, not at final inspection.
• Direct and oversee dimensional checks, in-process inspection and final release activities.
• Take ownership of AS9102 documentation, ensuring FAIRs / LAIRs are accurate, complete and submitted on time.
• Keep measurement and test equipment under tight control – scheduling calibration, resolving issues and ensuring traceability.
• Sign off product and key quality records, making balanced decisions on conformance and release.
• Map out and run the internal audit programme, plus prepare for and support customer / third-party visits.
• Lead investigations when things go wrong – gather evidence, get to root cause and agree realistic corrective actions with stakeholders.
• Track key quality indicators, highlight emerging issues and drive focused improvement activities with Operations and Engineering.

Experience & Background

• Background in aerospace manufacturing quality, either as a current Quality Manager or a senior Quality Engineer ready to step up.
• Confident working within AS9100 and ISO 9001 frameworks, with practical experience of applying them on the shop floor.
• Internal auditor qualification and a history of planning, performing and closing out audits.
• Comfortable with machined component inspection techniques, gauging and common aerospace manufacturing processes.
• Able to read complex drawings and specifications and translate them into clear inspection and quality requirements.
• Hands-on experience looking after calibration and measurement systems.

Personal & Professional Attributes

• Natural organiser who can bring structure and clarity to the quality function.
• Steady under pressure – able to handle audit scrutiny, customer queries and production demands calmly.
• Analytical mindset, using facts and data rather than opinion to make decisions.
• Strong communicator who can challenge constructively and explain quality requirements in plain language.
• Visible, approachable leader who earns respect from inspectors, operators and managers alike.

Package

• £50,000 basic salary.
• Extensive benefits package.

How to Apply

If you’re an experienced aerospace Quality Manager, or a high-performing Quality Engineer ready for your first management role, and you want genuine ownership of quality in a precision aerospace environment, please apply with an up-to-date CV.