Quality Assurance Manager

Owen Daniels; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Owen Daniels in Birmingham is seeking an experienced QMS Manager to lead the Quality Management System within an aerospace manufacturing business. You will own, develop and continually improve the QMS, ensuring it aligns with customer, regulatory and industry requirements.

This hands-on, cross-functional role works with Engineering, Production and senior management to embed quality across the business, drive measurable improvements, and maintain audit readiness against AS9100/ISO 9001 standards.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a QMS Manager, Quality Manager, Quality Systems Manager or Senior Quality position.
• Strong experience within aerospace manufacturing or another highly regulated engineering environment.
• Excellent working knowledge of AS9100 and ISO 9001.
• Experience owning, maintaining and continually improving a Quality Management System.
• Strong experience leading internal, external and certification audits.
• Experience with CAPA, root cause analysis and non-conformance management.
• Hands-on and practical approach to Quality rather than purely administrative.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication skills and the confidence to influence at all levels.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of the QMS.
• Develop, implement and continually improve the QMS in line with AS9100, ISO 9001 and customer requirements.
• Ensure Quality processes and procedures are effectively implemented across the manufacturing operation.
• Plan, manage and lead internal, external, customer and certification audits.
• Act as the key point of contact for Quality Management System matters.
• Manage non-conformances, corrective and preventive actions and ensure effective root cause analysis.
• Develop and monitor Quality KPIs, identifying trends, risks and opportunities for improvement.
• Ensure appropriate CAPA processes are implemented, monitored and closed effectively.
• Work closely with Engineering, Manufacturing and Operations to improve process control and product quality.
• Support customer and supplier Quality requirements where required.
• Maintain Quality documentation, procedures, records and controlled information.
• Ensure changes to processes, products and requirements are appropriately reflected within the QMS.
• Drive a culture of continuous improvement, right-first-time manufacturing and quality ownership.
• Support management reviews and provide clear reporting on QMS performance and Quality risks.
• Ensure the organisation remains audit-ready and compliant with applicable aerospace standards and customer-specific requirements.
• Provide Quality guidance, coaching and support across the wider business.

Skills

QMS leadership

Audits

CAPA

Root cause analysis

Continuous improvement

Cross-functional collaboration

Job description

We are currently recruiting for an experienced QMS Manager to join a highly established and technically advanced aerospace manufacturing business in Birmingham.

This is a key role within the organisation, with responsibility for the ownership, development and continual improvement of the Quality Management System, ensuring it remains robust, effective and fully aligned with customer, regulatory and industry requirements.

The successful candidate will be an experienced Quality professional with a strong background in aerospace or highly regulated manufacturing, with proven experience working with AS9100 / ISO 9001, internal and external audits, corrective actions and continuous improvement.

This is a hands-on QMS leadership role rather than a purely administrative position. You will be expected to work closely with Engineering, Production, Operations and senior management to ensure the QMS is embedded throughout the business and delivers measurable improvements.

Key Responsibilities

• Take overall ownership of the company's Quality Management System (QMS).
• Develop, implement and continually improve the QMS in line with AS9100, ISO 9001 and customer requirements.
• Ensure Quality processes and procedures are effectively implemented across the manufacturing operation.
• Plan, manage and lead internal, external, customer and certification audits.
• Act as the key point of contact for Quality Management System matters.
• Manage non-conformances, corrective and preventive actions and ensure effective root cause analysis.
• Develop and monitor Quality KPIs, identifying trends, risks and opportunities for improvement.
• Ensure appropriate CAPA processes are implemented, monitored and closed effectively.
• Work closely with Engineering, Manufacturing and Operations to improve process control and product quality.
• Support customer and supplier Quality requirements where required.
• Maintain Quality documentation, procedures, records and controlled information.
• Ensure changes to processes, products and requirements are appropriately reflected within the QMS.
• Drive a culture of continuous improvement, right-first-time manufacturing and quality ownership.
• Support management reviews and provide clear reporting on QMS performance and Quality risks.
• Ensure the organisation remains audit-ready and compliant with applicable aerospace standards and customer-specific requirements.
• Provide Quality guidance, coaching and support across the wider business.

About You

You will be an experienced QMS / Quality professional with a strong understanding of Quality systems within an aerospace, defence, aviation or similarly regulated manufacturing environment.

Ideally, you will have:

• Proven experience in a QMS Manager, Quality Manager, Quality Systems Manager or Senior Quality position.
• Strong experience within aerospace manufacturing or another highly regulated engineering environment.
• Excellent working knowledge of AS9100 and ISO 9001.
• Experience owning, maintaining and continually improving a Quality Management System.
• Strong experience leading internal, external and certification audits.
• Experience with CAPA, root cause analysis and non-conformance management.
• A strong understanding of Quality processes within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience working cross-functionally with Engineering, Production, Operations and Supply Chain.
• A hands-on and practical approach to Quality rather than purely administrative experience.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication skills and the confidence to influence at all levels.
• The ability to challenge existing processes and drive meaningful improvements.

The following would be advantageous:

• AS9102 / First Article Inspection (FAI) experience.
• Experience with customer-specific aerospace requirements.
• Knowledge of 8D, 5 Why, Ishikawa/Fishbone and other RCA methodologies.
• Lean / Six Sigma or continuous improvement experience.
• Experience within precision engineering, machining, fabrication or complex aerospace manufacturing.