Delegated Head of Quality (NH90 Program) (Papendrecht, NL)

Qabird; Papendrecht; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

GKN Fokker Aerospace is seeking a Delegated Head of Quality to lead the NHI Quality function for the NH90 program, based on-site in Aix-en-Provence, France. This long-term assignment (up to 5 years) offers influence across a major European defense program and exposure to an international network of customers and partners.

You will drive quality excellence, compliance, and continuous improvement, acting as the key interface with customers and regulators while managing quality teams and budgets.

Qualifications

• Master's degree (or equivalent) in Quality, Engineering, Aviation or related field.
• Minimum 5 years' experience in Quality Management or related systems.
• Minimum 2 years' leadership experience with high standards of team mindset and trust.
• Knowledge of ISO 9001, EN/AS9100, AQAP 2110/2310, ISO 14001, EMAR 21/145.
• Lead Auditor qualification and Project Management certification.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience in multicultural and international environments.
• Fluent English; knowledge of French, German, Italian or Dutch is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead the NHI Quality function, ensuring compliance, continuous improvement and customer satisfaction across NH90 program.
• Serve as Chief of the Independent Monitoring Function as per JMAAN 21.
• Manage quality processes, budgets and the Quality Management System.
• Assess/validate contractual Quality requirements and ensure implementation of quality plans.

Skills

Leadership

Quality management

Audits

ISO 9001/AS9100 knowledge

Stakeholder management

Communication

Risk-based thinking

Multicultural experience

English fluency

Education

Master's degree in Quality, Engineering, Aviation or related field

Job description

Fantastic challenges. Amazing opportunities.

GKN Aerospace is reimagining air travel: going further, faster and greener! Fuelled by great people whose expertise and creativity sets the standards in our industry, we’re inspired by the opportunities to innovate and break boundaries. We’re proud to play a part in protecting the world’s democracies. And we’re committed to putting sustainability at the centre of everything we do, opening up and protecting our planet. With over 16,000 employees across 32 manufacturing sites in 12 countries we serve over 90% of the world’s aircraft and engine manufacturers and achieved sales of £3.6bn in 2025. There are no limits to where you can take your career.

Job Summary

Shape Quality Excellence in One of Europe’s Largest and Most Important Defense Aviation Programs

Are you an experienced Quality leader looking to make an impact in the international aerospace and defense industry?

GKN Fokker Aerospace is seeking a Delegated Head of Quality to join NHIndustries (NHI) in Aix-en-Provence, France. This is a fully on-site assignment for up to 5 years, offering a unique opportunity to work at the heart of the NH90 helicopter program and build a strong foundation for future career opportunities within GKN Fokker Aerospace and GKN Aerospace as parent company.

NHIndustries is a French SAS company headquartered in Aix-en-Province, wholly owned by Airbus Helicopters, Leonardo, and GKN Fokker Aerospace. NHI is responsible for the management, development, certification and entry into service of the NH90 helicopter for NAHEMA (NATO Helicopter Management Agency) and export customers worldwide.

This is an exceptional opportunity to represent GKN Fokker Aerospace and NHIndustries within a highly international environment, working at the heart of a major European aerospace and defense collaboration program.

Job Responsibilities

Your Role

As Delegated Head of Quality, you will lead the NHI Quality function, ensuring compliance, continuous improvement, and customer satisfaction across the NH90 program. You will also serve as Chief of the Independent Monitoring Function in accordance with JMAAN 21.

Reporting to the NHI Head of Quality and the Directoire, you will:

• • Lead and develop the NHI Quality team, manage the quality processes, actions and associated budgets.
  • Maintain and improve the NHI Quality Management System and associated certifications.
  • Assess/validate contractual Quality requirements and ensure consistency and implementation of Quality plans, standards, and processes across the NH90 industrial network.
  • Support NHI process owners in the development and deployment of Quality improvement initiatives
  • Harmonize or elaborate as necessary general quality rules, plans, procedures, standards, to be applied by Industry for a global quality.
  • Ensure that the conformity process for helicopter and deliverable items is fulfilled.
  • Conduct internal audits, report and monitor quality opportunities risks and issues.
  • Act as the key Quality interface with customers, partner companies, and regulatory stakeholders.
  • Manage customer quality complaints, manage the customer satisfaction process and drive improvement initiatives.

Job Qualifications

What You'll Bring

• • Master's degree (or equivalent experience/certificates) in Quality, Engineering, Aviation, or a related field.
  • At least 5 years of experience in Quality Management or similar systems.
  • At least 2 years of leadership experience with the ability to apply high standards of team mindset and trust.
  • Knowledge of ISO 9001, EN/AS9100, AQAP 2110/2310, ISO 14001, and EMAR 21/145.
  • Lead Auditor qualification and Project Management certification.
  • Strong communication, stakeholder management.
  • Critical/Process/Risk based thinking, managing complexity, root cause analysis and problem-solving skills.
  • Experience working in multicultural and international environments.
  • Fluent English required; French, German, Italian, or Dutch is an advantage.

Why This Assignment?

• • Work on-site in Aix-en-Provence within a unique international aerospace joint venture.
  • Long-term assignment of up to 5 years.
  • Collaborate with key companies and customers in the Aerospace and Defense industry.
  • Gain valuable international leadership experience in one of Europe's largest and most important defense aviation programs.
  • An excellent stepping stone for future leadership opportunities within GKN Fokker Aerospace and GKN Aerospace as parent company.

Ready to help shape quality excellence for the NH90 program? We look forward to hearing from you.

We’ll offer you fantastic challenges and amazing opportunities. This is your chance to be part of an organisation that has proven itself to be at the cutting edge of our industry; and is committed to pushing the boundaries even further. And with some of the best training on offer in the industry, who knows how far you can go?

A Great Place to work needs a Great Way of Working

Everyone is welcome to apply to GKN. We believe that we can only achieve our ambitions through a coming together of diverse minds who enjoy collaborating in an inspirational environment. Through our commitment to diversity, inclusion and belonging and by living our five powerful principles we’ve created a culture where everyone feels welcome to contribute. It’s a culture that won us ‘The Best Workplace Culture Award’. By embracing and celebrating what makes us unique we encourage everyone to bring their full self to work.

We’re also committed to providing an accessible recruitment process, so if you require reasonable adjustments at any stage during our recruitment process please get in touch and let us know.

We are the place where human dreams, plus human endeavour, shape the future of aerospace innovation and technology.