Special Process Manager Hybrid

Gardner Aerospace Operations UK Limited; Wickford; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A global aerospace company is seeking a Special Process Manager Level 3 to lead and elevate its quality framework. This 100% hybrid role allows candidates from the UK or internationally to work flexibly while overseeing critical quality functions across multiple countries. Successful applicants will have extensive experience in quality or manufacturing engineering, managing special processes, and ensuring compliance with international standards. The role demands strong analytical skills and the ability to manage varied projects effectively, contributing to an innovative organizational culture.

Benefits

Pension

25 Days Annual Holiday plus 8 statutory days

BUPA Healthcare

Long Service awards

Death in Service

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in a similar role.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Experience in a highly regulated industry, preferably aerospace.

Responsibilities

• Oversight and management of all special process qualifications.
• Manage internal audit schedule and support external audits.
• Monitor response to audit findings and support corrective actions.
• Act as focal point for special processes across the group.

Skills

Quality or Manufacturing Engineering Professional

Experience in special processes (heat treatment, chemical processing, etc.)

Knowledge of AS9100, ISO9001

Problem analysis methodologies

Analytical and project management skills

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

Special Process Manager Level 3 - Global Role | 100% Hybrid

Location: UK or International | Global Travel

Shape the Future of Quality at Gardner Aerospace Group

Gardner Aerospace Group is seeking an exceptional Special Process Manager Level 3 to lead, develop, and elevate our global quality framework across a truly international footprint.

This is a 100% hybrid role, open to candidates based in the UK or overseas, offering the opportunity to work flexibly while influencing quality excellence across our sites in the UK, France, Poland and India.

Salary: £50,000 if hired in UK, adjusted if hired in Poland, France and India.

Benefits

• Pension
• 25 Days Annual Holiday plus 8 statutory days
• BUPA Healthcare
• Long Service awards
• Death in Service

Purpose of role and key accountabilities

• Oversight and management of all group special process and NADCAP qualifications.
• Managing internal special process audit schedule, and supporting sites in the planning, preparation and completion of external customer and NADCAP audits.
• Monitor response to NADCAP audit findings and support with effective implementation of corrective and continuous improvement actions including close‑out of audit findings.
• Perform internal special process and pre‑NADCAP audits across the group.
• Act as internal focal point of contact for special processes, and support the central quality teams (group) as well as sites in an expert role for escalated queries and issues within the assigned scope.
• Work closely with manufacturing engineering to continuously improve planning with a special focus on special processes; share, embed and flow down best practices across the group.
• Support all ToW and NPI projects in the area of expertise.
• Support customer specification and standard surveillance activities and the flow down to the relevant sites.
• Support the other Quality functions upon request, including support with internal audits and closure of audit findings.
• Work within cross‑functional teams to support business development, growth and improvement projects as required.

Core skills/attributes needed

• Quality or Manufacturing Engineering Professional with extensive experience in a similar role.
• Experience in special processes (heat treatment, chemical processing, welding, non‑conventional machining, NDT), process qualification processes, approvals (e.g. customer, NADCAP) and auditing (process audits).
• Willingness to travel internationally to all Gardner manufacturing sites to support sites where needed.
• Working knowledge of international standards for quality management systems (AS9100, ISO9001).
• Highly proficient in reading, understanding and applying technical documentation such as drawings, technical specifications and standards.
• Experience in a highly regulated industry, preferably aerospace.
• Strong knowledge of problem analysis methodologies (e.g. 8D, Ishikawa, 5‑Why, DoE, DMAIC, Kepner‑Tregoe, etc.).
• Experience in APQP and NPI and associated deliverables.
• Working experience with ERP systems.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines in a fast‑paced environment.
• Strong analytical and project management skills with the ability to prioritise tasks.
• Excellent IT skills.

Support to SQCDP framework

• Safety: work in line with all accredited company safety standards to provide a safe working environment for all.
• Quality: support the quality accreditations across the business to ensure delivery of ‘right‑first‑time’ performance.
• Cost: support continuous improvements in cost‑reduction activities across the company to deliver increased profitability and value for money to customers and stakeholders.
• Delivery: drive improvement in delivery performance to continually exceed customer expectations and targets.
• People: support organisational capability and influence cultural change by embracing diversity, inclusion, wellbeing and community.

Measurable performance indicators/objectives of role

• Sustained (or new) process approvals and NADCAP accreditations to ensure business continuity and growth.
• Approvals and accreditation up to date with minimal findings from external audits.
• Robust group standards for planning and technical documentation.
• Close‑out of findings in a timely manner with minimal iterations.
• Quality tools and methods rolled out and deployed across the group (where agreed).
• Achievement of targets in line with project plans and set deadlines.