Programme Quality Manager

Safran; Wales; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading aerospace manufacturer in the UK is seeking a Programme Quality Leader to manage quality performance and ensure customer satisfaction on various programs. This role requires a Master's degree and experience in Program Management. Ideal candidates will have strong leadership skills and a focus on quality standards. Opportunities for career advancement and flexible working arrangements are available.

Benefits

33 days holiday including bank holidays

Industry leading pension scheme with salary sacrifice

Private medical cover with options to cover family members

Hybrid and flexible working arrangements

Opportunities for career advancement and personal growth

Qualifications

• Knowledge of Program Management and Development processes – Essential.
• Knowledge of Aerospace and Quality standards – Essential.
• Proficiency in Quality processes and solid knowledge of Non Conformity management – Essential.

Responsibilities

• Leader of the Programme Quality Team, directly reporting to the VP Quality.
• Manage quality performance of the programs and implement relevant improvement plans.
• Ensure customer satisfaction and maintain a trustful relationship with the Customer regarding quality.

Skills

Cross-functional leadership

Strong customer orientation

Analytical and synthesis skills

Communication and negotiation

Education

Master's degree (engineering school, or equivalent)

Job description

In the UK, Safran Seats specialises solely in the First Class and Business Class seating markets for wide body aircraft, with industrial and engineering teams in Cwmbran and Newport, Wales and Brackley, England.

Ensure customer satisfaction and quality performance on the different Safran Seats GB programs, from the initial scoping of programs until the end of the production phase. The role involves:

• Guaranteeing that Customer requirements are taken into account within the Programs
• Ensuring that internal standard processes for managing programs are properly applied
• Managing quality performance of the programs and implementing relevant improvement plans
• Maintaining a trustful relationship with the Customer for what concerns quality (audits, scorecards, management of quality issues and concerns...)

Scope of Responsibilities

• Leader of the Programme Quality Team, directly reporting to the VP Quality
• Responsible for a team of engineers and technicians
• Communicates with, and presents information to, Senior Management and cross functions in SGB:
• a) Implement Product Line Quality Plans. Ensure that market expectations and potential Customer Requirements are managed and taken into account, as well as lessons learned.
• b) Implement Program Quality Plans. Ensure contribution to the Program Management Plan.
• c) Participate in setting up contracts with Customers for quality aspects. Negotiate with Customers to get approval of product quality acceptance criteria. Participate in negotiations to get approval and/or financing of solutions to quality problems. Ensure that Customer needs and requirements are taken into account, and especially how these are flown down to partners.
• d) Participate in all program tollgate reviews, including during their preparation, ensuring the quality of deliverables, the follow-up of recommendations/actions issued, the conditions for holding these reviews.
• e) Develop program quality indicators as part of the programs dashboards and keep them up to date. Take action, and have actions taken, to reduce non-quality costs.
• f) Detect weak signals, signs of possible degradations and behaviours inducing a risk of non-conformity of deliverables or degradation of program performance. Stop any process/action that would have unacceptable consequences on products and services delivered to the Customer.
• g) Ensure the follow-up of actions resulting from Customer or Authority audits and contribute to resolving any deviation, risk or event endangering program objectives and Customer satisfaction.
• h) Coordinate Customer relationships on quality aspects. Analyse ratings/satisfaction reviews, Customer claims and any other Customer information, and ensure that action plans are implemented to guarantee Customer satisfaction.
• i) Ensure capitalization of lessons learned towards Business processes.
• j) Promote and check that the program quality processes are applied at the partners and propose an appropriate audit plan. Participate in partner tollgate reviews.
• k) Lead the Program Quality team, ensuring skills acquisition and contribute to workforce planning to anticipate future needs.

Requirements

• Master's degree (engineering school, or equivalent) – Essential
• Knowledge of Program Management and Development processes – Essential
• Knowledge of Aerospace and Quality standards – Essential
• Proficiency in Quality processes. Solid knowledge of Non Conformity management – Essential
• Knowledge of problem solving and improvement methodologies – Essential
• Team management experience – Desirable
• Experience in matrix or multi-site organizations – Desirable
• Experience in Quality Assurance, Development and/or Program management – Desirable
• Knowledge of APQP – Desirable
• Knowledge of One Safran and internal Business Processes – Desirable

Competencies, Behaviours and Skills

• Cross-functional leadership
• Strong customer orientation
• Intercultural skills
• Rigor and autonomy
• Analytical and synthesis skills
• Skills in claim management, communication and negotiation
• Ability to manage priorities and crisis situations
• Capacity to interact at all hierarchical levels (internally and externally)
• Proven track record on leading teams / projects to deliver milestones

Benefits

• 33 days holiday (including bank holidays)
• Industry leading pension scheme with salary sacrifice employer contributions up to 10%
• Private medical cover (to include Digital GP and rapid access Physio with no excess) with ability to upgrade level of benefit and cover family members
• Access to salary sacrifice benefits scheme including cycle to work and Octopus EV Scheme
• 4 x Life Assurance
• Interactive benefits platform including wide range of discretionary benefits including technology, retail benefits, income protection
• Enhanced family friendly policies and benefits (enhanced maternity and paternity leave) and employee assistance programme
• Annual share save schemes
• Option for hybrid and flexible working arrangements
• Opportunities for career advancement and personal growth. Benefit from support through Safran University and our internal Training and Development Schools

We are committed to building a workforce that is reflective of the diverse community we serve. We want to attract the best applications from people of all backgrounds and underrepresented groups because we strongly believe in adding value through diversity, inclusion. Our employees enable us to deliver services that are accessible and inclusive. As part of our commitment with Disability Confident Employers, we may offer a guaranteed interview to applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post. We strive to provide reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and employment. Let us know if you need support to showcase your talents or require any reasonable adjustments.

This role is subject to pre‑employment checks, including but not limited to criminal record checks.

Safran is an international high‑technology group, operating in the aviation (propulsion, equipment and interiors), defense and space markets. Its core purpose is to contribute to a safer, more sustainable world, where air transport is more environmentally friendly, comfortable and accessible. Safran has a global presence, with 100,000 employees and sales of 27.3 billion euros in 2024, and holds, alone or in partnership, world or regional leadership positions in its core markets.

Safran is in the 2nd place in the aerospace and defense industry in TIME magazine's "World's best companies 2024" ranking.

Safran Seats is one of the world's leading manufacturers of aircraft seats, for both crew and passengers. 1 million Safran Seats‑manufactured aircraft seats are currently in service with air fleets around the world.