Safety Management Systems (SMS) Lead

INDOTRONIX AVANI UK, LTD; Middle Wallop; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defence and aerospace company is seeking a Safety Management Systems (SMS) Lead for the UK Chinook Programme. The role involves leading safety initiatives, managing investigations, and ensuring compliance with military aviation regulations. Essential skills include experience in Safety Management Systems, knowledge of BowTie methodology, and strong communication abilities. This position offers an opportunity to impact safety within a critical defence aviation programme and requires on-site presence in either Odiham, Middle Wallop, or Gosport.

Qualifications

• Formal training and proven experience in Safety Management Systems.
• Experience in Safety Risk Management using BowTie methodology.
• Qualified Safety Investigator with experience in safety investigations.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Safety Risk Management strategy and hazard identification.
• Oversee CH-47 safety reporting and investigations.
• Manage Safety Promotion activities and maintain SMS documentation.
• Interface with MoD Air Safety Teams and programme suppliers.
• Manage safety records within the Centrik system.

Skills

Safety Management Systems experience

Safety Risk Management

Knowledge of military aviation regulations

Safety Investigator qualifications

Understanding of Just Culture principles

Managing safety reports

Excellent communication skills

Stakeholder management

Interpersonal skills

Job description

Role: Safety Management Systems (SMS) Lead

Location: Odiham or Middle Wallop or Gosport

Duration: 12 months

Role Type: 4 days onsite

Salary: Around £70 an hour - depending on experience

About the role:

Our globally renowned defence and aerospace client is seeking an experienced Safety Management Systems professional to lead the SMS for the UK Chinook Programme. The successful candidate will join a large, multidisciplinary team of safety specialists and play a pivotal role in ensuring the continued effectiveness and maturity of the SMS within this critical UK Ministry of Defence programme.

This role holds overall responsibility for the leadership, governance, and continual improvement of the Safety Management System, ensuring that hazards are identified, risks are effectively managed, and a strong, positive safety culture is sustained across the programme.

Key responsibilities:

• Leading the Safety Risk Management strategy, facilitating hazard identification activities, and developing and maintaining BowTie models to identify, assess, and control safety risks
• Overseeing all CH-47 safety occurrence reporting and investigations, ensuring that reports are accurate, complete, and managed in line with regulatory and organisational requirements. This includes conducting safety investigations and working closely with both internal and external stakeholders to resolve safety issues.
• Leading Safety Promotion activities, ensuring safety awareness and engagement across the programme, and managing the SMS meeting schedule, maintaining a robust audit trail and effective control of actions and deadlines.
• Responsibility extends to the creation and ongoing maintenance of all SMS documentation specific to the Chinook Programme.
• Maintaining strong interfaces with the MoD Air Safety Teams and key programme suppliers, ensuring alignment and cooperation on safety matters.
• The successful candidate will also manage safety records within the Centrik system in accordance with CH-47 Programme requirements and SMS doctrine. Regular travel within the UK is expected.

Essential Skills and Experience:

• Formal training and proven experience in Safety Management Systems, with a strong background in aviation maintenance and/or engineering.
• Training and experience in Safety Risk Management, including practical application of BowTie methodology.
• Sound knowledge of military aviation regulations and their application.
• Qualified Safety Investigator with several years' experience leading and conducting safety investigations.
• Strong understanding of Just Culture principles and their practical implementation.
• Experience managing high volumes of safety reports using military or civil reporting systems.
• Proven ability to work across multiple functions and organisational levels to build trust and promote a positive safety culture.
• Excellent communication, organisational, and stakeholder management skills, with confidence in using common IT and project management tools.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to balance diplomacy, authority, and professional judgement when working with MoD customers, suppliers, and the client's stakeholders.

Desirable Skills and Experience:

• Qualified and experienced Human Factors trainer.
• Experience using the MoD ASIMS tool or equivalent civil aviation safety reporting systems.
• Experience in data analysis and safety performance trending.

This role offers a significant opportunity to shape and lead safety performance within one of the UK's most critical defence aviation programmes.