Product Assurance Manager - Production Projects

MBDA UK; Bolton; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus up to 21%

Pension up to 14%

Flexible working

Enhanced parental leave up to 26 weeks

Site facilities: meals, parking

Healthcare Cash Plan

Job summary

MBDA UK in Bolton is seeking aQuality Assurance professional to lead QA activities across Manufacturing and Supply Chain on a complex weapon system production line. You will drive issue resolution, lead multi‑functional teams and ensure conformance with contractual and quality requirements.

You will work in a hybrid setup with on‑site presence required 3–4 days per week, supporting continuous improvement and risk mitigation throughout the product lifecycle.

Qualifications

• Preferably degree educated, or substantial experience in Quality Management with QA problem solving methods (8D, Six Sigma, DMAIC).
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to influence cross‑functional teams.
• Self-motivated and persistent to deliver results in a high‑workload environment.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate delivery of QA activities across Manufacturing and Supply Chain to reduce production quality risks.
• Lead timely resolution of production issues by guiding multi‑disciplinary teams using standard problem‑solving tools.
• Oversee assurance activities during industrialisation of production lines.
• Identify and mitigate production risks via PFMEA, Control Plans and process validation.
• Lead non‑conformance panels and escalate critical issues to senior management.
• Interface with customers for project contractual deliverables and ensure compliance.

Skills

QA problem solving

Interpersonal skills

Self-motivation

Education

Degree educated or substantial experience in Quality Management

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated individual to join the Quality Assurance team in Bolton, providing support to both the Manufacturing and Supply Chain teams.

Salary: Circa £60,000 depending on experience

Dynamic (hybrid) working: 3-4 days per week on-site due to workload classification

Security Clearance: British Citizen or a Dual UK national with British citizenship. Restrictions and/or limitations relating to nationality and/or rights to work may apply. As a minimum and after offer stage, all successful candidates will need to undergo HMG Basic Personnel Security Standard checks (BPSS), which are managed by the MBDA Personnel Security Team.

What we can offer you:

• Company Bonus: Bonus of up to 21% of base salary
• Pension: maximum total (employer and employee) contribution of up to 14%
• Flexible working: We welcome applicants who are looking for flexible working arrangements
• Enhanced parental leave: offers up to 26 weeks for maternity, adoption and shared parental leave -enhancements are available for paternity leave, neonatal leave and fertility testing and treatments
• Facilities: Fantastic site facilities including subsidised meals, free car parking and much more…
• Healthcare Cash Plan: The Healthcare Cash Plan benefit provides the option to claim cash back on everyday healthcare expenses such as optical, dental, health and wellbeing and more.

The opportunity?

Are you a Quality professional with a passion for problem solving? Working with our Manufacturing & Supply Chain teams you will lead the Quality Assurance activities on one of our complex Weapon System production lines, thereby supporting delivery of UK strategic defence needs.

Responsibilities:

• Co-ordinate delivery of the Quality Assurance activities across the Manufacturing Business Units to reduce production programme quality risks.
• Timely resolution of production line issues, by leading multi-functional teams through application of industry standard problem solving tools and techniques.
• Lead delivery of assurance activities associated with industrialisation of our production lines.
• Identify and mitigate production risks through implementation of PFMEA’s, Control Plans, Special Process validation, etc.
• Lead Project Manufacturing Non-Conformance Panels, escalating critical issues to senior management.
• Ensure implementation of any Project specific non-conformance processes within manufacturing.
• Conduct non-conformance data analysis to identify trends, root causes and opportunities for improvement.
• Primary interface to Customer for project contractual deliverables out of our Bolton production facility.

Additional role responsibilities:

• Support the Project team in developing cost effective project planning to assist in on time delivery of all contractual deliverables, whilst meeting MBDA policy and process.
• Collaborate with the engineering and manufacturing teams to optimise the manufacturing processes.
• Support the delivery of Product Life Cycle Gate reviews, providing assurance of deliverables and ensuring timely closure of actions.
• Provide Quality reporting into Project, Manufacturing and Functional Programme Reviews.
• Drive the Quality culture within the Manufacturing domain to ensure continuous improvement and delivery of the quality strategy and risk assessments.
• Certify and release product to our customer in accordance with the contractual requirements.

What we’re looking for from you:

• Preferably degree educated, or substantial experience in Quality Management Practitioner of current QA problem solving methods (8D, Six Sigma, DMAIC, etc.)
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office packages (PowerPoint, Word and Excel)
• Excellent interpersonal skills are essential and able to influence others in a collaborative way.
• Highly self-motivated, and demonstrate a determination and persistence to deliver results despite obstacles and setbacks.
• Position is based at our Bolton site, but will require provision of support at our other MBDA sites.
• Some travel (both UK and international) maybe required.

What’s in it for you?

The role provides an exciting opportunity to work in a high technology environment ranging from the manufacture of CCA assemblies through to live build of Weapon Systems.

What’s great about the team?

Join a collaborative and supportive team who work together to contribute to a shared ambition to deliver for our Armed Forces and preserve the company’s reputation as the leading provider of Missile and Weapon Systems. Achieve all this while maintaining your work/life balance!!

Our company:

Peace is not a given, Freedom is not a given, Sovereignty is not a given MBDA is a leading defence organisation. We are proud of the role we play in supporting the Armed Forces who protect our nations. We partner with governments to work together towards a common goal, defending our freedom. We are proud of our employee-led networks, examples include: Gender Equality, Pride, Menopause Matters, Parents and Carers, Armed Forces, Ethnic Diversity, Neurodiversity, Disability and more… We recognise that everyone is unique, and we encourage you to speak to us should you require any advice, support or adjustments throughout our recruitment process.

What we do matters.

Because defence matters. As a leading company in the defence industry we support our nations by delivering essential military capabilities, both for today and the future. We are proud to be an award-winning employer and are proud of the growing diversity of our workforce. Our people are the ones who drive our constant innovation and deliver against challenging targets.