Site Quality Manager

GKN; Luton; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

GKN Luton is seeking a Site Quality Manager to lead the Quality Management System and Business Management System at our Luton manufacturing site. This senior role guides product safety, quality, and customer satisfaction through robust quality planning and problem-solving, aiming for zero defects and continuous improvement across the site.

The role involves leading audits, driving COPQ reduction, and ensuring compliance with aviation and industry standards.

Qualifications

• Senior leadership experience in quality for a manufacturing site.
• Proven ability to plan, implement and sustain QMS/BMS.
• Strong track record in audits, compliance and regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, implementation and continuous improvement of the QMS/BMS.
• Govern quality governance with the site leadership team and ensure certifications.
• Coordinate internal and external audits and address non-conformities effectively.
• Drive COPQ reduction, 8D/RCCA investigations and robust risk management.

Skills

Leadership

Quality culture

Problem solving

Communication

Risk management

Education

Engineering/Technical degree

Quality Management Certification

Tools

8D/RCCA

APQP

Job description

We're hiring a Site Quality Manager to join our team at our Luton manufacturing facility. This is a Senior Site Leadership role responsible for planning, implementing, assuring, and continuously improving the Quality Management System (QMS) and Business Management System (BMS) to meet the needs and expectations of the site's interested parties, while maintaining all associated certifications and regulatory approvals. The role is accountable for supporting and assuring Product Safety, Product Quality, and Customer Satisfaction through zero-defect quality planning, effective product realisation and delivery, the provision of customer support, and the application of robust risk management, problem-solving, and quality improvement practices. As a key member of the Site Leadership Team, the Site Quality Manager will provide expert guidance, governance, and leadership to foster a culture of quality across all site activities. The role will ensure ongoing quality compliance while supporting the achievement of business objectives, including leading initiatives focused on Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ) reduction, driving effective 8D/RCCA investigations, and facilitating complex A3 problem-solving activities to support operational excellence and continuous improvement. GKN Luton is a stable, high-performing facility with ambitious growth plans for the months and years ahead. This is a unique opportunity to play a key role in shaping the site's future. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to transform and develop the Quality function, creating a high-performing team that supports continued operational excellence and future growth.

• Working collaboratively with the site Senior Leadership Team to create and sustain a Quality culture and provide appropriate governance and assurance leadership
• Plan and assure availability of Quality related resources and continuously lead/support capability development and improvement
• Planning, implementation, maintenance and continuous improvement of the site QMS/BMS and product quality in compliance with industry standards, applicable Aviation Safety laws, Regulatory Requirements, customer and GKN Aerospace Global Standards requirements (APMS)
• Systemic analysis of QMS/BMS data such as process performance measures, CA timeliness, trend analysis and KPI to the site Management Review process ensuring effective, data based, factual inputs to business decisions
• Responsible for scheduling, undertaking, reporting and resourcing of audits to ensure ongoing compliance against the Customer, Regulatory and 3rd Party requirements and industry standards, as well as GKN's own requirements and delivering on site follow up activities to ensure successful outcomes of the audits
• Planning, conducting & follow up activities (including systemic analysis of risk/opportunity) of product and production process audit as required by the programmes and to assure proper discharge of delegated product quality related activities in the organisation in support of product safety and conformity.
• Systemic risk management and mitigation for Quality with focus on compliance, assurance, deployment and effectiveness. Escalating any Quality risks including product performance affecting customers to the Site Leadership, and if applicable/appropriate the accountable manager (POA/MOA) and Business Line Quality Director for support/co-ordination of appropriate actions to mitigate/address these risks
• Coordination, planning, hosting and leadership of all Customer (2nd party) & Certification Body (3rd party) audits and assessments of the Quality Systems and Special Processes to ensure successful outcome and, supporting Site Local Business Process Owners in resolving any issues raised as part of the audits
• Act as the site representative for the certified entity and Quality related matters with Customers, Certifying Bodies and Aerospace Authorities.
• Coach the site to ensure the adoption of the GKNA Global Standards, adapting and tailoring the local QMS/BMS processes and improve effectiveness and efficiency, to support achieving business objectives
• Planning and management of the system requirements for hosting and deployment of the local QMS/BMS, its stated processes & associated controls and for training people who will be defining/utilising its functions
• Recording and measuring of any defined Site Quality Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) including Quality Escapes and Cost of Poor Quality and for taking the actions necessary to improve
• Managing Continuous Improvement of the QMS/BMS as well as forward planning on the integration of new regulation/specification requirements
• Where applicable, is responsible to the Regulatory Authorities for all product Compliance to the various Airworthiness Regulations and holds the authority for the approval of all product conformance documentation such as the EASA Form 1 (Product Airworthiness Certificate) and Certificates of Conformity
• Provides guidance to and act as a point of escalation for personnel with delegated Quality authorities and top-level arbitration to resolve conflicts between personnel with delegated Quality authority and line management, We are looking for individuals who want to make a difference and have the talent, drive, and passion to excel in what they do. The Site Quality Manager will be a strong and collaborative leader, capable of coaching and developing others while working effectively within a matrix organisation. The successful candidate will be a proactive self-starter with the ability to motivate and inspire colleagues, fostering high levels of engagement and performance across the business. They will possess excellent communication and presentation skills, alongside the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels. A passion for mentoring, coaching, and developing talent is essential, including supporting succession planning and helping individuals and teams reach their full potential, Core operational hours at our Luton site are: 07:30 - 16:30 Monday to Thursday & 07:30 - 12:30 Friday. The role requires flexibility for some Regional travel and occasional international travel.
• Qualifications in Business Management and/or Quality Management (such as university degree, master's degree, Certificate in Management etc.) or Engineering/Technical degree, with proven experience in Quality in manufacturing environment
• Demonstrated knowledge, experience and training of ISO 9001, AS/EN/JISQ9100, Aviation Regulatory (EASA, FAA, CAA etc) & customer quality requirements and application of these into an accredited QMS/BMS
• Experience of developing, deploying and maintaining QMS/BMS
• Experience of overseeing and validating the effectiveness of manufacturing operations training, work instructions and Quality controls (i.e Processes, Inspection and Testing)
• Good understanding of risk-based methodology and Human Factors.
• Demonstrated knowledge, experience and training in APQP and its application
• Effective use of the ISO 9001 Process Effectiveness Assessment Report (PEAR) & the processes defined within AS 9101
• Knowledge of ISO 19011 and use of process and risk-based methods and techniques for audit planning and execution
• Use and practical knowledge and experience of the IAQG OASIS and Nadcap eAuditnet databases and for the input to audit planning
• Development of people, their Quality (product and QMS/BMS) knowledge of the importance and value of Quality and Product Safety within and outside direct control and the experience of developing a robust Quality Culture throughout the organization
• Good knowledge of the Industry Quality forums that define the standards such as IAQG, AESQ, NADCAP etc.
• An effective problem solver with strong knowledge of tools such as 8D/RCCA
• AS13100 its deployment and sustained application (note this is required for Engines BL sites)
• Experience of aviation Regulatory requirements for design and manufacturing, specifically Part 21G and J, Part 145 & FAA Part 183 (note part 145 experience required for sites with Part 145 approval)
• Commercial awareness;
• Six Sigma/Lean Manufacturing/Continuous improvement skills;
• Experience dealing with customers, certifying bodies and suppliers;
• Thorough understanding of the content and application of the IAQG SCMH
• Knowledge of and experience in application of process management and risk management principles in context of QMS/BMS planning, development and assurance