Quality Manager - CNC Machining / Aerospace

Quality Manager – CNC Machining / Aerospace – £60,000

Location: Watford, Hertfordshire

Full-Time, Permanent

Salary: Circa £60,000

Hours: Monday–Thursday 7:45–16:45, Friday 7:45–12:45

The Opportunity

A well-established and growing subcontract precision engineering business is seeking a Quality Manager to lead its quality function.

The company supplies high-precision CNC machined components into highly regulated sectors, including aerospace and defence, and is looking for a hands-on leader to drive quality standards, improve systems, and embed a right-first-time culture across the shopfloor.

You will take full ownership of Quality and lead a small team of:

Quality Engineer

Goods In / Out Inspector

Inspector

The Role

This is a key leadership position within the business, responsible for maintaining and developing the Quality Management System while acting as the escalation point for all quality-related matters.

You will be highly visible across the operation, working closely with Production and Engineering to ensure processes are robust, repeatable, and aligned to customer and regulatory requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Lead and continuously improve the Quality Management System in line with AS9100/ISO standards

Manage internal, customer, and third-party audits, ensuring effective and timely close-out of actions

Act as the escalation point for non-conformances, leading root cause analysis (8D, 5 Why, Fishbone) and corrective actions

Oversee all inspection and verification activities, including FAIRs, production inspection, and CMM/metrology capability

Implement and drive key quality metrics including scrap, rework, customer returns, and OTIF performance

Manage supplier quality, ensuring compliance, traceability, and flow-down of requirements

Maintain robust document control and quality record systems

Work cross-functionally to ensure manufacturing processes are stable, measurable, and repeatable

Drive continuous improvement and introduce more effective, data-driven and digital quality processes

Promote a strong quality culture through leadership, coaching, and shopfloor engagement

About You

Proven experience as a Quality Manager within CNC machining or precision engineering

Strong knowledge of FAIR/FAI, traceability, non-conformance systems, and metrology

Able to read and interpret engineering drawings and GD&T

Experience working within AS9100 or similarly regulated environments

Confident communicator, able to engage with shopfloor teams, customers, and auditors

Hands-on, pragmatic approach with a focus on continuous improvement

Desirable

Lead or Internal Auditor qualification (ISO9001 / AS9100)

Engineering qualification (HNC / HND / Degree)

Experience with Lean or Six Sigma

Background in aerospace, defence, or other regulated industries

Why Apply

Senior role with full ownership of the quality function

Stable SME environment with strong industry positioning

Opportunity to make a visible impact and drive improvements

Close-knit team with real autonomy

Early finish every Friday

If you are a hands-on Quality Manager looking for a role where you can genuinely influence standards, systems, and culture, apply now