Quality Manager - CNC Machining / Aerospace - £60K
12 days ago
North Watford
Quality Manager – CNC Machining / Aerospace – £60,000\n\nLocation: Watford, Hertfordshire\n Full-Time, Permanent\n Salary: Circa £60,000\n Hours: Monday–Thursday 7:45–16:45, Friday 7:45–12:45\n\nThe Opportunity\n\nA well-established and growing subcontract precision engineering business is seeking a Quality Manager to lead its quality function.\n\nThe company supplies high-precision CNC machined components into highly regulated sectors, including aerospace and defence, and is looking for a hands-on leader to drive quality standards, improve systems, and embed a right-first-time culture across the shopfloor.\n\nYou will take full ownership of Quality and lead a small team of:\n\nQuality Engineer\nGoods In / Out Inspector\nInspector\n\nThe Role\n\nThis is a key leadership position within the business, responsible for maintaining and developing the Quality Management System while acting as the escalation point for all quality-related matters.\n\nYou will be highly visible across the operation, working closely with Production and Engineering to ensure processes are robust, repeatable, and aligned to customer and regulatory requirements.\n\nKey Responsibilities\n\nLead and continuously improve the Quality Management System in line with AS9100/ISO standards\nManage internal, customer, and third-party audits, ensuring effective and timely close-out of actions\nAct as the escalation point for non-conformances, leading root cause analysis (8D, 5 Why, Fishbone) and corrective actions\nOversee all inspection and verification activities, including FAIRs, production inspection, and CMM/metrology capability\nImplement and drive key quality metrics including scrap, rework, customer returns, and OTIF performance\nManage supplier quality, ensuring compliance, traceability, and flow-down of requirements\nMaintain robust document control and quality record systems\nWork cross-functionally to ensure manufacturing processes are stable, measurable, and repeatable\nDrive continuous improvement and introduce more effective, data-driven and digital quality processes\nPromote a strong quality culture through leadership, coaching, and shopfloor engagement\n\nAbout You\n\nProven experience as a Quality Manager within CNC machining or precision engineering\nStrong knowledge of FAIR/FAI, traceability, non-conformance systems, and metrology\nAble to read and interpret engineering drawings and GD&T\nExperience working within AS9100 or similarly regulated environments\nConfident communicator, able to engage with shopfloor teams, customers, and auditors\nHands-on, pragmatic approach with a focus on continuous improvement\n\nDesirable\n\nLead or Internal Auditor qualification (ISO9001 / AS9100)\nEngineering qualification (HNC / HND / Degree)\nExperience with Lean or Six Sigma\nBackground in aerospace, defence, or other regulated industries\n\nWhy Apply\n\nSenior role with full ownership of the quality function\nStable SME environment with strong industry positioning\nOpportunity to make a visible impact and drive improvements\nClose-knit team with real autonomy\nEarly finish every Friday\n\nIf you are a hands-on Quality Manager looking for a role where you can genuinely influence standards, systems, and culture, apply now