Manager Safety & Quality Operations Nz

CGR Services; Blenheim; On-site; NZD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexibility

Reward & recognition

Diversity & inclusion

Job summary

Airbus New Zealand is seeking a Manager Safety & Quality Operations for NZ, based at Blenheim with responsibilities across multiple sites. You will provide governance, leadership, and SME input across Health & Safety, Aviation Safety, and Quality Management.

You will be a regulatory post holder with direct accountability to NZ authorities and manage NZ Expositions, audits, and improvement programs. A strong track record in SMS/QMS is essential.

Qualifications

• 5–8 years’ experience in SMS and QMS within an aviation organisation.
• 5–8 years’ experience in an aviation leadership role (Pilot, Engineer, or MRO).
• Regulatory post holder experience with NZ Defence & Civil Aviation legislation, regulations, standards, governance.
• Proven track record developing, maintaining, and assuring SMS and QMS across multiple functions; ISO 9001/ISO 14001/ISO 45001 knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Direct governance, leadership and SME input across Health & Safety, Aviation Safety and Quality Management for NZ operations.
• Regulatory post holder duties: contact for authorities (CAA NZ, DAA, EASA) and maintain Form 4 / Senior Person approvals.
• Maintain NZ-specific operational S&Q plans and interface manuals; certify alignment with NZ laws.
• Lead audits/investigations, safety inspections, and Major Incident Boards; drive continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with Risk Specialists to manage operational risks in ARM across NZ programs.

Skills

SMS & QMS knowledge

Aviation leadership

Regulatory post holder experience

Audit/investigation methodologies

Safety, quality focus

Education

Aviation-related degree

PM/Risk Management cert desirable

Audit/Investigation methodologies cert

Job description

Manager Safety & Quality Operations New Zealand Location: New Zealand (Multiple Sites)

Ko wai mātou | About us

Airbus New Zealand is a leading aeronautical business employing people across multiple sites in Australia and New Zealand. At Airbus, our people are the source of our strength. Our people work with passion and determination to make the world a more connected, safer, and smarter place in the air and on the ground. We celebrate diversity of thought, and we are committed to fostering a culture where our people are supported, our teams have the space and tools to be creative, and have the courage to challenge the norm.

Te Whiwhinga a mahi | The opportunity

As the Manager Safety & Quality Operations New Zealand, you will work closely with a large and inclusive team of technical experts focused on success. You will provide overarching governance, operational leadership, and Subject Matter Expertise (SME) across Health & Safety, Aviation Safety, and Quality Management for all New Zealand operations. Reporting directly to the Head of Safety & Quality, with direct regulatory accountability to the Accountable Manager / Chief Executive, you will bridge high-level strategic governance with daily operational execution. Crucially, this role carries regulatory Form 4 / Senior Person status, taking direct legal responsibility for all regulatory requirements under applicable regulations and NZ Expositions.

• Directing, empowering, mentoring, and guiding the NZ S&Q Operations team (7 direct reports) to meet functional requirements and foster professional growth.
• Regulatory & Form 4 / Senior Person Accountability: Serving as the primary point of contact for civil and defence regulatory authorities (e.g., CAA NZ, DAA, EASA), maintaining Form 4 / Senior Person approvals, and directing updates to all NZ Expositions.
• Serving as SME for SMS and QMS standards (EASA, CAA NZ, DAA, ISO 9001, AS9100) and the NZ Health and Safety at Work Act; maintaining NZ-specific operational S&Q plans and interface manuals.
• Contributing to the Annual Master Audit Schedule, leading audits/investigations, managing site safety inspections, and participating in or chairing Major Incident Boards.
• Partnering with Risk Specialists to drive local operational risks into the Active Risk Management (ARM) system and providing S&Q focal point support across NZ Programs, Civil Helicopter Programs, MRO, Engineering, and Supply functions.

Ko koe tēnei | About you

To be successful in this role, it is a requirement to be able to work in a team environment, have well-developed relationship skills, as well as good verbal and written communication skills. You will need to be someone who is able to work autonomously, handle competing priorities under pressure, and work comfortably in a continuous improvement work environment.

• 5 to 8 years' minimum experience in SMS and QMS within an aviation organisation.
• 5 to 8 years' minimum experience in an aviation leadership role (Pilot, Engineer, or MRO).
• Regulatory Post Holder Experience: Previous experience as a regulatory post holder (e.g. Form 4 / Senior Person / FPP) with superior knowledge of NZ Defence & Civil Aviation legislation, regulations, standards, and governance.
• Proven track record in developing, maintaining, and assuring SMS and QMS across multiple functional lines, complemented by certification in recognized audit/investigation methodologies (e.g. ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001).
• Tertiary qualification in an Aviation or related field (e.g. Aviation Management); certifications in Project Management or Risk Management are desirable.
• Demonstrated commitment to safety, quality, and customer satisfaction.

He aha mātou | Why us

• We value the health and wellbeing of our employees and offer true flexibility that allows you to balance your career with what is important to you outside of work.
• We will celebrate your successes and achievements with a formal reward and recognition programme.

We seek to inspire our people to grow, so you have the right mindset, behaviours, and skills to thrive and achieve the organisation's goals whilst being focused on your personal development through classroom and online learning. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive environment and are continually striving to improve our gender balance. We welcome and encourage females to apply.

Applications close: 21 September 2026. Note: Applications must include a resume & cover letter. Applicants must be eligible to work in New Zealand and be able to obtain and maintain defence site clearance and have the capacity to satisfy pre-employment medical screening which may include drug and alcohol testing.

Manager Safety & Quality Operations NZ • NZ - Blenheim, New Zealand, NZ