Head of Quality

Owen Daniels; Akron (OH); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Benefits package

Job summary

Owen Daniels in Akron, Ohio, seeks an experienced Head of Quality to lead the Quality function in a leading aerospace engineering and manufacturing environment. You will shape the QMS, drive continuous improvement and ensure compliance with ISO 9001 and aerospace standards.

You will oversee audits, CAPA, supplier and customer quality activities, and mentor the Quality team while promoting a culture of right-first-time performance across the business.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a senior Quality Management role within aerospace or regulated manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge of ISO 9001 and quality systems.
• Experience with AS9100 is highly advantageous.
• Expertise in auditing, non-conformance, CAPA and root cause analysis.
• Proven ability to lead audits and manage customer quality requirements.
• Track record of driving continuous improvement and quality performance.
• Excellent leadership and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to influence across all levels and drive quality ownership.
• Analytical and problem-solving with structured, commercially aware approach.

Responsibilities

• Lead and continually improve the QMS in line with ISO 9001.
• Ensure compliance with aerospace quality standards and regulatory requirements.
• Develop and implement quality strategies aligned with business goals.
• Manage internal and external audits and certification body assessments.
• Oversee non-conformance, CAPA, root cause analysis and effectiveness reviews.
• Drive continuous improvement to reduce defects and improve process capability.
• Lead customer and supplier quality activities and supplier assurance.
• Establish and monitor quality KPIs and report trends to senior management.
• Promote a proactive quality culture across functions.
• Lead, develop and mentor the Quality team.
• Support risk management, change control, process validation and product conformity.
• Be the primary contact for quality-related matters with customers, suppliers, and regulatory bodies.

Skills

Senior QMS lead

ISO 9001

AS9100 experience

Auditing & CAPA

Stakeholder management

Continuous improvement

Job description

Owen Daniels are currently seeking an experienced and driven Head of Quality to lead and develop the Quality function within a leading aerospace engineering and manufacturing environment.

This is a senior leadership position with responsibility for maintaining and continually improving the organisation's Quality Management System (QMS), ensuring compliance with ISO 9001, applicable aerospace industry standards, customer requirements and regulatory obligations.

The successful candidate will provide strategic direction across all aspects of quality assurance, quality control and continuous improvement, promoting a culture of operational excellence, accountability and right-first-time performance throughout the business.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, manage and continually improve the organisation's Quality Management System in accordance with ISO 9001 requirements.
• Ensure compliance with applicable aerospace quality standards, customer specifications and regulatory requirements.
• Develop and implement quality strategies aligned with business objectives and operational performance.
• Manage internal and external audits, customer audits and certification body assessments.
• Oversee non-conformance management, root cause analysis, corrective and preventive actions (CAPA), and effectiveness reviews.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to reduce defects, improve process capability and enhance product quality.
• Lead customer and supplier quality activities, ensuring effective supplier assurance and performance management.
• Establish and monitor key quality performance indicators (KPIs), reporting trends, risks and improvement opportunities to senior management.
• Promote a proactive quality culture across engineering, manufacturing, operations and supply chain teams.
• Lead, develop and mentor the Quality team, ensuring appropriate competence, accountability and technical capability.
• Support risk management, change control, process validation and product conformity activities.
• Act as the principal point of contact for quality-related matters involving customers, suppliers, certification bodies and regulatory stakeholders.

Candidate Requirements

The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

• Proven experience in a senior Quality Management role within aerospace, aviation, precision engineering or a similarly regulated manufacturing environment.
• Strong working knowledge of ISO 9001 and practical experience managing and improving a certified Quality Management System.
• Experience with aerospace quality standards such as AS9100 would be highly advantageous.
• A strong understanding of auditing, non-conformance management, root cause analysis and corrective action methodologies.
• Demonstrable experience leading internal and external audits and managing customer quality requirements.
• A track record of driving continuous improvement and delivering measurable improvements in quality performance.
• Excellent leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills.
• The ability to influence at all levels of an organisation and embed a culture of quality ownership.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities, with a structured and commercially aware approach.

What's on Offer?

• The opportunity to lead and shape the Quality function within an aerospace-focused organisation.
• A senior leadership role with direct influence over business performance and customer satisfaction.
• The opportunity to drive meaningful improvements across systems, processes and operational standards.
• A collaborative working environment focused on technical excellence, compliance and continuous improvement.
• A competitive salary and benefits package, reflective of experience and expertise.