Quality Assurance Manager (QA Manager)

Morson are partnering with a leading defence manufacturer seeking a Quality Assurance Manager to join the quality team based at their Crawley site. Primary Purpose of the Role: • Reporting to the Business Quality Manager, this role delivers Quality Assurance (QA) support for assigned projects, bids, and products, ensuring cost-effective and efficient solutions that meet requirements. • Collaborating with relevant disciplines, functions, and Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), key responsibilities include QA planning and surveillance, internal and external auditing, participation in project meetings, reviews, milestones, and events, customer liaison, supplier and partner surveillance, and providing QA expertise and guidance. • The role may encompass operational (manufacturing), software, hardware, systems, or engineering assurance activities, including root cause analysis, defect investigation, process improvement, preventative actions, and process management. • Occasional travel may be required. This position does not have direct reports. The postholder will typically engage with: • Business Quality Manager • Members of the QA function across all levels • Project and Bid Managers, along with Project Team Members • QMS Process Owners • Supply Chain Managers • Manufacturing teams • Continuous Improvement Leads • Customers, Partners, and Suppliers • Certification Bodies Competencies & Attributes • Strong relationship-building skills with the ability to communicate effectively and collaborate within a team environment. • Analytical thinker with the ability to interpret data and trends to provide clear, actionable recommendations. • Proactive and forward-thinking, anticipating challenges and opportunities to implement solutions that foster continuous improvement. • Effective communicator who inspires and engages stakeholders in a supportive and collaborative manner. • Quick learner, open-minded, and adaptable to change. • Facilitation skills to guide team interactions and discussions. • Flexible and receptive to new directions, maintaining momentum in a dynamic environment. • Collaborative contributor with strong self-awareness. • Organised with a focused and diligent work ethic. • Ability to interface confidently at all organisational levels, including with suppliers, partners, and customers. • Efficient planner capable of managing workload to meet deadlines and budgetary constraints. • Strong decision-making and creative problem-solving capabilities. • Understanding of broader business objectives and the ability to develop strategies that align with and support these goals. Key Responsibilities and Tasks: • Plan and implement Quality Assurance activities for allocated projects in line with company reference systems, contracts, and applicable regulatory requirements. • Prepare monthly quality reports for allocated projects and bid reviews, effectively communicating QA issues and risks. • Lead project QA tasks to ensure timely and thorough completion of quality requirements. • Conduct project audits and surveillance in accordance with the audit strategy. • Manage non-conformance records, ensuring prompt resolution and closure. Raise quality alerts with appropriate escalation to highlight business risks. • Act as the customer’s representative within project or bid teams, enhancing the customer experience and supporting resolution of complaints or performance issues. • Facilitate the management of customer complaints. • Identify trends, issues, and opportunities relating to processes or products that may impact the business. Experience: Essential • Proven experience working within a quality assurance environment. • Comprehensive knowledge of current quality practises and standards. • Understanding of Quality System Certification principles. Desirable: • Experience in quality assurance within an engineering lifecycle or product development environment. • Experience of quality assurance in bid or project settings. • Experience in manufacturing or supply chain quality assurance. • Experience working within multifunctional teams to facilitate quality improvements. • Qualified auditor or equivalent experience. • Familiarity with international quality standards and methodologies relevant to the role, such as ISO 9001, AS9100, AQAP, and civil or military standards. If you are interested in this opportunity, please submit an up-to-date CV for consideration.