Quality and HSE Manager (EMEIA)

isepglobal; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading aerospace and defense company in Milton Keynes is seeking a Quality & HSE Manager to oversee quality assurance and health, safety, and environmental compliance. The successful candidate will lead quality initiatives to meet AS9100 standards and ensure a culture of continuous improvement. A background in aerospace quality leadership, relevant certifications, and strong leadership skills are essential. You will manage audits and drive compliance in a highly regulated environment, contributing to the overall excellence of operations.

Benefits

Flexible working practices

25 days holiday

Health cash plan

Private healthcare

Pension scheme with 6% employer contributions

Life assurance

Training support

Relocation assistance up to £8,000

Qualifications

• Proven experience in aerospace quality leadership.
• Certified Lead Auditor for AS9100 or ISO 9001.
• Experience with regulatory compliance in aerospace.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Quality Management System aligned with AS9100.
• Manage external audits and certifications.
• Drive HSE compliance and safety practices.

Skills

Leadership

Quality management

Risk assessment

HSE compliance

Continuous improvement

Education

Degree in Engineering or related field

Postgraduate training in Quality Management Systems

NEBOSH or IOSH certification

Tools

QMS tools

DO-254

Job description

We are seeking an accomplished Quality & HSE Manager to lead our Quality Assurance and Health, Safety, and Environmental function across EMEIA. This pivotal leadership role ensures excellence in product and process quality while driving compliance with AS9100 and ISO standards, alongside robust HSE governance. The successful candidate will maintain certifications, champion continuous improvement, and uphold customer, regulatory, and safety requirements within a highly regulated aerospace and defence environment.

This position may be based at our Engineering Design Centre in Milton Keynes or our Manufacturing Centre in Great Yarmouth.

Key Responsibilities

Quality Management

• Lead, maintain, and continuously improve the Quality Management System (QMS) in alignment with AS9100 and ISO 9001 standards; familiarity with DO-254 design assurance is highly desirable.
• Serve as the primary liaison for all external audits, certification bodies, and customer quality representatives.
• Oversee and enhance internal audit programs, non-conformance management, root cause analysis, and corrective/preventive actions (CAPA).
• Champion quality assurance best practices throughout the product lifecycle—from design through manufacturing—by partnering with Engineering, Operations, and Supply Chain teams.
• Lead initiatives to strengthen risk-based quality management, supplier quality, and process capability improvement.
• Drive compliance and readiness across commercial and defence programmes, ensuring adherence to regulatory and customer-specific quality standards.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement, leveraging Lean, Six Sigma, and data‑driven methods to enhance product quality, reduce cost, and improve efficiency.
• Provide QA leadership in new product introduction (NPI), design reviews, and configuration/change control processes.
• Monitor and report quality performance metrics to senior leadership, offering strategic insights and recommendations.
• Partner with Procurement and Supply Chain teams to develop and sustain a network of high‑performing, compliant suppliers.
• Lead, coach, and develop the Quality Assurance team, fostering ownership, accountability, and excellence.

Health, Safety & Environmental (HSE)

• Develop, implement, and maintain HSE policies and procedures and applicable legal/regulatory requirements; lead the attainment of ISO 14001, ISO 45001.
• Ensure safe working practices across all sites, conducting risk assessments and implementing corrective actions where necessary.
• Lead incident investigations, root cause analysis, and drive preventive measures to reduce workplace hazards.
• Monitor and report HSE performance metrics, ensuring continuous improvement and alignment with corporate sustainability goals.
• Act as the primary point of contact for HSE audits, inspections, and regulatory bodies.
• Promote a proactive safety culture through training, awareness campaigns, and employee engagement initiatives.
• Collaborate with site leadership to integrate HSE considerations into operational planning and decision‑making.

Qualifications & Experience

• Degree or higher national qualification (HND / HNC) in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, or a related technical discipline, or demonstrable equivalent experience in aerospace quality leadership.
• Postgraduate or professional training in Quality Management Systems, Aerospace Standards, or Continuous Improvement (e.g. AS9100 Lead Auditor, Six Sigma, or Lean) is highly desirable.
• NEBOSH or IOSH certification (or equivalent) for HSE management - highly desirable.

Professional Certifications

• Certified Lead Auditor (AS9100 / ISO 9001) - required.
• Internal Auditor certification to ISO 9001 and/or AS9100 - essential baseline.
• Lean Six Sigma (Green or Black Belt) - advantageous.
• EASA Part 21 / MAA DAOS / DOA familiarity or certification - highly desirable.
• DO-254 or equivalent electronic hardware design assurance exposure - beneficial.
• ISO 14001 / ISO 45001 auditor or practitioner certification - advantageous.

Professional Memberships

• Membership (or eligibility for membership) of a relevant professional body such as:
  • CQI (Chartered Quality Institute) - Member (MCQI) or Chartered (CQP MCQI) preferred.
  • RAeS (Royal Aeronautical Society) - for those with aerospace engineering backgrounds.
  • IOSH (Institution of Occupational Safety and Health) or equivalent for HSE professionals.
  • SAE International - for those engaged in standards and regulatory development.
  • ASQ (American Society for Quality) - for global quality assurance professionals.

Skills & Competencies

• Awareness of EASA, CAA, or MAA regulatory frameworks and aerospace quality requirements.
• Demonstrated success in managing external audits, accreditation processes, and customer quality engagements.
• Proficiency in QMS tools such as Q‑Pulse or equivalent.
• Deep technical understanding of electronics and microelectronics manufacturing.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and influencing skills across all levels of the organization.
• Strategic mindset with a hands‑on, pragmatic approach to problem‑solving.
• Strong analytical capability with attention to detail and commitment to integrity.
• Proven leadership in developing high‑performing quality teams.
• Ability to drive quality culture change and foster cross‑functional collaboration.
• Commercial awareness and sound judgement to balance compliance with business needs.
• Strong knowledge of HSE legislation and best practices within manufacturing environments.

Other Requirements

• Eligible for or capable of obtaining UK Security Clearance (SC).
• Willingness to travel between sites and to customer/supplier locations as needed.

What we can offer you:

• Flexible working practices - we work a 9-day fortnight, offer flexitime, and work a half day Friday.
• 25 days holiday (plus bank holidays) with the option to buy up to 5 additional days.
• Health cash plan - cash back for everyday health expenses.
• Private healthcare.
• Pension scheme with 6% employer contributions.
• Life assurance - 4 x annual salary.
• Reward and recognition platform.
• Discount platform - retail, leisure, gym discounts and more.
• Employee assistance programme with access to confidential counselling services.
• Support for further training and education.
• Relocation assistance up to £8,000 if you relocate to take up a position with us.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities