Head of Quality Assurance

We are Ultra Precision Control Systems

Ultra PCS is a leading developer of mission and safety critical equipment in the defence and aerospace industry. Our team of experts are at the heart of our success, which is why we are dedicated to fostering a safe working environment and a positive culture where every staff member feels valued and respected.

We solve our customers' problems, providing engineering solutions to safety and mission critical challenges in the air and on the ground. Our solutions can be found in the latest military aircraft and vehicles, in civil aircraft, and in unmanned vehicles.

We help to ensure our customers get to where they need to be safely, achieve their objectives and keep on going back.

Flexible Working

Wherever possible, we will consider a variety of working options to suit your lifestyle, whether that be hybrid home/office working, flexible working and part or full time employment. It's the 'innovating' and 'empowering' values that we ASPIRE to be. We welcome the challenge to work in new ways and have trust in you when getting the job done because we recognise, our business is our people.

Job Description

The Eaton Assurance function is responsible for ensuring the effectiveness and fulfilment of Eaton's Quality Policy, which is to comply fully in the conduct of the Company's business with all applicable regulatory and customer required specifications, and to maintain an effective Quality Management System, working in partnership with the Operations and Engineering teams to ensure that products and processes conform to applicable standards and specifications, and the incidence and costs of quality non-conformances are constantly monitored and improved, while maintaining the highest practicable standards of manufacturing productivity and efficiency.

The Quality Management function in Eaton ensures that Eaton's products and services meet the required standards of quality through direction of the quality assurance programmes and quality control policies and the application of the Quality Management System. It further ensures assurance that the QA Policy is performed by qualified and experienced personnel.
The role holder manages professionals in a defined area of Eaton. Develops plans for their team to ensure optimum use of time and resources. Ensures team performance is aligned and contributes to the overall plans of their area.

The Head of Quality Assurance function is responsible for:

• Ensuring that the QA function acts and is seen as a business differentiator, adding value, working with all functions to ensure that quality and assurance is embedded and aligns with the business needs
• Maintain and support an effective Business Management System, in partnership with stakeholders throughout the business so that products and processes conform to applicable standards and specifications, and the incidence and costs of quality non-conformances are monitored and improved
• Assure that processes are being followed in accordance with the requirements of the Business Management System (BMS) throughout the value stream including suppliers, and to leading resolution processes where this is not the case
• Identify, recommend, and verify improvements to processes within the business and the supply chain required to maintain company quality approvals
• Work closely with all levels of internal and external customers including approval authorities and ensure the assurance work done meets the needs of the business and stakeholders effectively
• Ensure the effectiveness and fulfilment of Eaton's Quality Policy throughout the value stream including suppliers while complying with all applicable regulatory and customer required specifications
• Ensure their areas of responsibility and team meet the needs of the business and deliver against commitments
• To provide effective leadership and guidance of the function delivering the needs of the business and the role to ensure that both the tactical and oversight QA requirements are satisfied
• Motivate, energise and support a highly engaged workforce in a collaborative quality & customer focussed team environment in relentless pursuit of continuous improvement
• Coach, mentor, and develop the Quality Assurance team

Functional Management

• Where required, to act as a deputy for the Director of Quality in relation to the quality assurance aspects of the department for the applicable Eaton sites
• Delivery of sustained and effective reporting/outputs from the role and team as required by the business
• Proactively lead by good example and manage all direct reports to achieve business strategy and departmental objectives
• To support the maintenance of the company requirements and approvals e.g.  CAA, EASA, FAA, AS, etc. as required
• To support the delivery of the audit calendar covering product, process, supplier and design audits required to satisfy the requirements of the company quality approvals and our customers
• Support external Quality audits, assessments and visits by customers and authorities
• Support the compliance monitoring function with regard to airworthiness and customer requirements
• Lead stakeholder engagement (e.g. quality, compliance, customers, engineering, purchasing, supply chain
• Support completion and effectiveness of Corrective and Preventative measures and investigations to their documented conclusion, with supporting root cause analysis and solutions to prevent re-occurrence
• Support the Operators Approval Processes, including the up issuing of authorisations and Scopes of Approval
• To ensure effective and timely issue of status and audit reports, supporting evidence and KPI’s for the QA function
• Effectively managing all resources (including recruiting new staff) to ensure on time delivery within budgets and according to quality standards.  Producing reports as required with this information
• Ensure all required quality and control plans are in place and adhered to
• Ensure that the latest customer & approval quality requirements are understood and flowed down through the business
• Coordinating the quality aspects of the Source Inspection and Conformity activities
• Ensure a process is maintained for the control and approvals of performing operations and product inspection/release activities
• Manage the First Article Inspection and Material Review Board (MRB) processes
• Identify and co-ordinate investigations arising from Quality issues through to their documented conclusion, with supporting root cause analysis and effective solutions to prevent re-occurrence
• Ensure adequate and appropriate Quality records are maintained
• To provide guidance with the preparation and certification of product release documentation
• Develop and implement company processes and documented procedures to ensure a robust Business Management System is in place throughout the business
• On completion of audits, proactively ensure corrective and preventive actions are followed up to completion
• Be prepared to meet reasonable requests to travel to support current and future products on customers sites around the world
• To encourage development and improvement in our business processes
• Provide support to department managers in developing effective processes and procedures
• Ensure QA participation in product/process change and safety reviews
• Effectively manage relationships with customers (internal/external), authorities and suppliers
• Take an active part in the development and review of departmental measures
• To ensure the departmental objectives are achieved in line with the job holders’ individual objectives
• Perform duties in accordance with company policies, procedures, and processes
• There may be additional activities to perform from time to time in order to maximise the contribution to Eaton's goals and objectives.

People Management

• Talent management and development, including hiring, retention, performance feedback, mentoring, career and development planning
• Create a team-focused environment where the full team can collaborate and execute successfully
• Provide guidance and expertise to the team members on matters that impact areas of your functional responsibility
• Demonstrate the effective use of data and accurate reporting to help drive business decisions
• To regularly conduct performance reviews with direct reports, providing constructive and positive feedback, agreeing SMART objectives, and addressing underperformance with alignment to business and functional needs
• Identifying training needs, coaching, and developing direct reports, sharing appropriate information and knowledge to enable others to grow and develop in their role and progress their careers
• Ensure that all mandatory training is undertaken across the QA team
• Ensure that consistent management is demonstrated across the team and deal appropriately and swiftly to address any poor performance

Leadership

• Uphold, safeguard and promote Eaton’s values and philosophy, particularly concerning accountability, ethics, integrity, security regulations, and corporate responsibility in accordance with company guidelines
• Perform all company business in accordance with regulations, company policies and high professional standards
• Build strong and collaborative relationships with senior representatives both inside and outside of the business
• Ensure an active involvement in the Leadership Team supporting colleagues and other teams where necessary.
  

Qualifications / Experience:

• Ideally educated to degree level  with extensive experience in Quality Assurance and managing effective teams in a design & manufacturing environment
• Has worked in an Aerospace Organisation and has experience across the various Quality disciplines i.e. Product, Design, Process & Design,
• Experience in Aerospace standards (e.g. CAA Part 21, CAA & EASA Part 145, FAA, AS9100, etc.)
• Has a proven and broad experience in Quality function meeting on-going requirements in relation to the authorities and customer
• Experience in managing Quality Investigations using RCCA tools
• Experience in managing and meeting Product Source Inspections and Conformity requirements
• Proven experience working within an Aerospace quality management system
• Trained Auditor
• Good communication skills demonstrated both verbally and in writing
• Demonstrated experience in building good working relationships and gaining trust and respect with internal and external customers
• An understanding of costs and financial implications within the quality department
• Self-driven and able to monitor own performance effectively to ensure deadlines and commitments are met
• Effectively able to manage own time according to the role requirements
• Experience of liaising with internal and external customers,
• Works effectively with others
• Proactively able to manage own work to in order to achieve objectives
• Use own initiative within the scope of the role
• Plans work and consistently delivers on time
• Seeks effective solutions to problems encountered
• Makes timely decisions within the scope of the role
• Demonstrates a “Can do” positive attitude
• Good application of Microsoft packages and relevant software for the role

Benefits: 

Every employee is critical to our success and as such we offer a range of flexible employee benefits along with career development opportunities. 

• Flexible working within core working hours��
• 25 days holiday (185hrs) with the option to buy/sell 5 days (37hrs) plus bank holidays
• 4 times annual salary in life assurance
• Flexible benefits package
• Funded health benefits
• Pension Scheme – up to 8% employer contributions
• Supportive and friendly working environment with regular team events

You couldn't be joining the team and Eaton MSD Cheltenham at a more exciting time. Therefore, if this sounds of interest, please follow the application process.

Nationality Requirements

Candidates must be able to work in the UK without restrictions in accordance with UK National Law and be prepared to successfully undertake an appropriate level of UK National Security Vetting according to UK Government National Security Vetting criteria.

Diverse & Inclusive Employer

Ultra PCS is an equal opportunities employer that values diversity, inclusion, equity and equality. Underpinned by our values, behaviours, and policies, we want you to feel empowered to be your best and authentic self.

We promote a workplace that welcomes people from all backgrounds and cultures; believing that this will increase our diversity of thinking, and ultimately ensure we continue delivering on our commitments to our customers.

We do not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status and welcome applications from all candidates.