We are an established subcontract precision engineering company specialising in centreless grinding.
We operate approximately 20 centreless grinding machines, together with surface grinding, universal grinding and honing capability. We work with customers across the aerospace, automotive and general precision-engineering sectors, producing components to close dimensional tolerances and demanding surface-finish requirements.
We are already certified to ISO 9001 and are now looking to appoint an experienced Quality Manager or Senior Quality Engineer to strengthen our existing quality function and lead the business through the implementation and certification of AS9100.
This is a hands-on, factory-based role combining responsibility for the day-to-day management of quality with the development of our existing ISO 9001 quality-management system to meet AS9100 requirements.
The successful candidate will work closely with the production team, operators, customers and suppliers. You will assess our current quality system, identify the additional controls required for AS9100 and lead the business through implementation, internal auditing and certification.
The objective is to develop a practical and effective aerospace quality system that supports the way our factory operates, rather than introducing unnecessary paperwork.
Once AS9100 certification has been achieved, you will be responsible for maintaining and continually improving the system.
Key responsibilities
- Lead the development of our existing ISO 9001 quality-management system to achieve AS9100 certification.
- Carry out a detailed gap analysis against AS9100 requirements and produce a clear implementation plan.
- Identify which existing ISO 9001 processes can be retained and where additional aerospace controls are required.
- Develop and maintain appropriate procedures, processes, work instructions, forms and quality records.
- Prepare the company for Stage 1 and Stage 2 certification audits.
- Act as the main point of contact for certification bodies, customers and external auditors on quality matters.
- Manage the ongoing ISO 9001 and AS9100 quality-management system following certification.
- Plan and complete internal audits, corrective actions and management reviews.
- Ensure effective contract review of drawings, specifications, revisions, tolerances, surface-finish requirements and customer-specific requirements.
- Strengthen product identification, material traceability and document-control arrangements where required.
- Develop appropriate controls for aerospace product safety, operational risk and configuration management.
- Implement and maintain processes.
- Manage non-conforming product, customer concessions, root-cause investigations and corrective actions.
- Investigate customer complaints and internal quality issues, ensuring corrective actions are completed and verified for effectiveness.
- Develop and maintain inspection plans, control plans and suitable in-process and final-inspection requirements.
- Manage the calibration and control of measuring equipment, including micrometers, air gauges, setting masters, surface-roughness equipment and customer-supplied gauges.
- Support the preparation and completion of First Article Inspection Reports in accordance with AS9102 where required.
- Maintain and develop approved-supplier processes, including supplier approval, monitoring and periodic review.
- Ensure subcontract operations and externally provided processes are appropriately controlled.
- Monitor quality performance using measures including scrap, rework, customer complaints, supplier performance, audit findings and corrective-action closure.
- Provide practical quality training and guidance to employees.
- Promote a positive quality culture throughout the business.
- Work with production to improve process capability, consistency and right-first-time performance.
- Stop or quarantine production where there is a genuine risk of non-conforming product being supplied.
Essential experience
- Previous quality experience within precision engineering, machining, grinding, aerospace, automotive or a similar manufacturing environment.
- Strong practical knowledge of ISO 9001 quality-management systems.
- Good working knowledge of AS9100 requirements.
- Experience of developing or upgrading a quality-management system.
- Experience of internal auditing, non-conformance management, root-cause analysis and corrective action.
- Good understanding of engineering drawings, dimensional tolerances and inspection requirements.
- Experience managing calibration and measuring-equipment systems.
- Strong problem-solving and data-analysis skills.
- Ability to communicate effectively with operators, customers, suppliers and external auditors.
- A practical and organised approach, with the ability to implement systems that employees can understand and follow.
Highly desirable experience
- Personally leading an ISO 9001-certified engineering company through AS9100 implementation and certification.
- Previous responsibility for maintaining an AS9100-certified quality-management system.
- AS9100 or ISO 9001 lead-auditor or internal-auditor training.
- Experience preparing AS9102 First Article Inspection Reports.
- Experience within subcontract machining, grinding or precision engineering.
- Knowledge of aerospace product safety, operational risk, configuration management and counterfeit-parts prevention.
- Experience with 8D, 5 Whys, fishbone analysis, control plans, PFMEA or similar quality tools.
- Experience of supplier audits, aerospace customer audits and certification-body audits.
Qualifications
A relevant engineering, manufacturing or quality qualification would be beneficial, but proven practical experience is more important than formal academic qualifications.
The person
We are looking for someone who is:
- Capable of taking ownership of the AS9100 implementation project.
- Able to assess and improve an established ISO 9001 system rather than automatically replace it.
- Confident enough to challenge poor practice constructively.
- Comfortable working on the factory floor as well as managing documented systems.
- Able to explain quality requirements in straightforward language.
- Methodical, thorough and commercially aware.
- Focused on practical improvements rather than paperwork for its own sake.
- Comfortable working independently and taking ownership of the quality function.
What we offer
- Competitive salary based on experience.
- An established ISO 9001-certified quality-management system on which to build.
- The opportunity to lead a significant AS9100 certification project.
- A stable and successful precision-engineering business.
- Management support and appropriate external assistance where required.
- A long-term opportunity to lead quality and continuous improvement across the business.
Application
Applicants should provide details of their experience with ISO 9001, AS9100 and precision-engineering quality systems.
Candidates who have previously led a company through AS9100 certification should clearly explain:
- Their personal involvement in the implementation.
- The size and type of company involved.
- Whether an ISO 9001 system was already in place.
- The main gaps they identified and addressed.
- The outcome of the Stage 1 and Stage 2 certification audits.
- Any major or minor non-conformities raised and how they were resolved.
Pay: Up to £47,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Application question(s):
- Have you personally led an ISO 9001-certified engineering business through AS9100 implementation and certification?
Language:
Work Location: In person
