Head of Quality Assurance

ultra; Cheltenham; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Ultra Precision Control Systems is seeking a Head of Quality Assurance to lead the QA function across our aerospace and defence projects. You will shape quality strategy, manage a team of QA professionals, and ensure conformance to regulatory and customer requirements while driving continuous improvement throughout the value stream.

In this hybrid role, you will partner with Operations and Engineering to embed a culture of highest quality, deliver robust assurance, and support external audits

Qualifications

• Experience leading QA in manufacturing or aerospace.
• Knowledge of regulatory and customer specifications.
• Ability to manage a team and drive continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Quality Assurance function to embed QA as a value-adding differentiator across the business.
• Oversee QA policies, maintenance of the Business Management System (BMS), and conformance to standards.
• Direct internal and external audits and drive timely corrective actions.
• Coach, mentor and develop the QA team for high performance and engagement.
• Collaborate with suppliers and customers to ensure quality excellence and regulatory compliance.

Skills

Quality management

Leadership

Audits

Stakeholder management

Tools

BMS (Quality Management System)

Job description

We are Ultra Precision Control Systems

Ultra PCS is a leading developer of mission and safety critical equipment in the defence and aerospace industry. Our team of experts are at the heart of our success, which is why we are dedicated to fostering a safe working environment and a positive culture where every staff member feels valued and respected.

We solve our customers' problems, providing engineering solutions to safety and mission critical challenges in the air and on the ground. Our solutions can be found in the latest military aircraft and vehicles, in civil aircraft, and in unmanned vehicles.

We help to ensure our customers get to where they need to be safely, achieve their objectives and keep on going back.

Flexible Working

Wherever possible, we will consider a variety of working options to suit your lifestyle, whether that be hybrid home/office working, flexible working and part or full time employment. It's the 'innovating' and 'empowering' values that we ASPIRE to be. We welcome the challenge to work in new ways and have trust in you when getting the job done because we recognise, our business is our people.

Job Description

The Eaton Assurance function is responsible for ensuring the effectiveness and fulfilment of Eaton's Quality Policy, which is to comply fully in the conduct of the Company's business with all applicable regulatory and customer required specifications, and to maintain an effective Quality Management System, working in partnership with the Operations and Engineering teams to ensure that products and processes conform to applicable standards and specifications, and the incidence and costs of quality non-conformances are constantly monitored and improved, while maintaining the highest practicable standards of manufacturing productivity and efficiency.

The Quality Management function in Eaton ensures that Eaton's products and services meet the required standards of quality through direction of the quality assurance programmes and quality control policies and the application of the Quality Management System. It further ensures assurance that the QA Policy is performed by qualified and experienced personnel.

The role holder manages professionals in a defined area of Eaton. Develops plans for their team to ensure optimum use of time and resources. Ensures team performance is aligned and contributes to the overall plans of their area.

The Head of Quality Assurance function is responsible for:

• Ensuring that the QA function acts and is seen as a business differentiator, adding value, working with all functions to ensure that quality and assurance is embedded and aligns with the business needs
• Maintain and support an effective Business Management System, in partnership with stakeholders throughout the business so that products and processes conform to applicable standards and specifications, and the incidence and costs of quality non-conformances are monitored and improved
• Assure that processes are being followed in accordance with the requirements of the Business Management System (BMS) throughout the value stream including suppliers, and to leading resolution processes where this is not the case
• Identify, recommend, and verify improvements to processes within the business and the supply chain required to maintain company quality approvals
• Work closely with all levels of internal and external customers including approval authorities and ensure the assurance work done meets the needs of the business and stakeholders effectively
• Ensure the effectiveness and fulfilment of Eaton's Quality Policy throughout the value stream including suppliers while complying with all applicable regulatory and customer required specifications
• Ensure their areas of responsibility and team meet the needs of the business and deliver against commitments
• To provide effective leadership and guidance of the function delivering the needs of the business and the role to ensure that both the tactical and oversight QA requirements are satisfied
• Motivate, energise and support a highly engaged workforce in a collaborative quality & customer focussed team environment in relentless pursuit of continuous improvement
• Coach, mentor, and develop the Quality Assurance team

Functional Management

• Where required, to act as a deputy for the Director of Quality in relation to the quality assurance aspects of the department for the applicable Eaton sites
• Delivery of sustained and effective reporting/outputs from the role and team as required by the business
• Proactively lead by good example and manage all direct reports to achieve business strategy and departmental objectives
• To support the maintenance of the company requirements and approvals e.g. CAA, EASA, FAA, AS, etc. as required
• To support the delivery of the audit calendar covering product, process, supplier and design audits required to satisfy the requirements of the company quality approvals and our customers
• Support external Quality audits, assessments and visits b