Quality Manager – CNC Machining / Aerospace – £60,000
Location: Watford, Hertfordshire Full-Time, Permanent Salary: Circa £60,000 Hours: Monday–Thursday 7:45–16:45, Friday 7:45–12:45
The Opportunity
A well-established and growing subcontract precision engineering business is seeking a Quality Manager to lead its quality function.
The 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.
You will take full ownership of Quality and lead a small team of:
- Quality Engineer
- Goods In / Out Inspector
- Inspector
The Role
This 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.
You 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.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and continuously improve the Quality Management System in line with AS9100/ISO standards
- Manage internal, customer, and third-party audits, ensuring effective and timely close-out of actions
- Act as the escalation point for non-conformances, leading root cause analysis (8D, 5 Why, Fishbone) and corrective actions
- Oversee all inspection and verification activities, including FAIRs, production inspection, and CMM/metrology capability
- Implement and drive key quality metrics including scrap, rework, customer returns, and OTIF performance
- Manage supplier quality, ensuring compliance, traceability, and flow-down of requirements
- Maintain robust document control and quality record systems
- Work cross-functionally to ensure manufacturing processes are stable, measurable, and repeatable
- Drive continuous improvement and introduce more effective, data-driven and digital quality processes
- Promote a strong quality culture through leadership, coaching, and shopfloor engagement
About You
- Proven experience as a Quality Manager within CNC machining or precision engineering
- Strong knowledge of FAIR/FAI, traceability, non-conformance systems, and metrology
- Able to read and interpret engineering drawings and GD&T
- Experience working within AS9100 or similarly regulated environments
- Confident communicator, able to engage with shopfloor teams, customers, and auditors
- Hands-on, pragmatic approach with a focus on continuous improvement
Desirable
- Lead or Internal Auditor qualification (ISO9001 / AS9100)
- Engineering qualification (HNC / HND / Degree)
- Experience with Lean or Six Sigma
- Background in aerospace, defence, or other regulated industries
Why Apply
- Senior role with full ownership of the quality function
- Stable SME environment with strong industry positioning
- Opportunity to make a visible impact and drive improvements
- Close-knit team with real autonomy
- Early finish every Friday
If you are a hands-on Quality Manager looking for a role where you can genuinely influence standards, systems, and culture, apply now.