Overview
The Senior Supplier Quality Manager is responsible for developing, leading, and continuously improving the Cambridge Aerospace supplier quality and supplier development strategy. The role acts as the primary authority for supplier quality matters, ensuring suppliers consistently meet Cambridge Aerospace, customer, regulatory, and contractual requirements. The successful candidate will combine strategic leadership with hands‑on supplier quality expertise, working closely with Procurement, Engineering, Manufacturing, Programmes, and Customer Quality functions to build a high‑performing and scalable global supply chain.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead Cambridge Aerospace Supplier Quality strategy, governance, and continuous improvement.
- Own supplier approval, surveillance, re‑approval, and the Approved Supplier List.
- Maintain risk‑based supplier assurance, audit, and performance programmes.
- Lead supplier assessments, audits, investigations, and corrective actions.
- Drive supplier development and recovery to improve quality, delivery, capacity, and performance.
- Ensure supply‑chain flow‑down and compliance with customer, contractual, regulatory, and quality requirements.
- Partner across functions to ensure supplier capability and programme readiness.
- Manage supplier quality risks, escalations, continuity concerns, and improvement plans.
- Lead and develop Supplier Quality and Supplier Development personnel.
- Represent Cambridge Aerospace on supplier quality matters with external stakeholders.
- Report supplier quality performance, risks, and improvements to senior leadership.
- Promote quality, compliance, accountability, and operational excellence across the supply chain.
Requirements
- Experience in aerospace, defence, or highly regulated manufacturing environment within a supplier quality leadership role.
- Proven experience managing supplier quality teams and supplier development programmes.
- Knowledge and experience of operating in organisations managed under the requirements of regulatory standards including ISO9001, AS/EN9100 and EASA Part 21
Technical Skills
- Demonstrated success improving supplier quality and delivery performance.
- Experience conducting supplier audits and supplier assessments.
- Experience managing complex supplier corrective actions and recovery activities.
- AS9100 / EN9100 Quality Management Systems.
- Supplier approval and surveillance processes.
- RCCA, 8D, FMEA, SPC, APQP, Lean and Six Sigma methodologies.
- Risk management principles.
- Drawing interpretation, manufacturing processes, and inspection methods.
- First Article Inspection requirements.
- Aerospace customer and regulatory requirements.
Desirable Skills
- Lead Auditor qualification (AS9100 or equivalent).
- EASA Part 21 knowledge.
- Experience within aerospace OEM, Tier 1, or complex defence supply chains.
- International supplier management experience.
Personal Attributes
- Strong leadership and influencing capability.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to engage effectively with suppliers, customers, and senior executives.
- Commercial awareness and business acumen.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
- Deliver to deadlines without compromising quality, balancing stakeholder needs effectively.
Qualifications
- Diploma or degree in a relevant engineering or quality discipline.
- Ability to travel within UK and internationally.
- Certified Lead Auditor (ISO standards).
- Lean Six Sigma Black or Green Belt (advantageous).
- Membership of a recognised professional body (e.g., CQI) is beneficial.
What We Offer
- Competitive compensation and stock options
- Private Medical & Dental
- Cycle to work scheme
- Lunchtime catering on site
About Us
The mission of Cambridge Aerospace is to eliminate the risk of existential war in Europe. That risk comes from the air - low-cost drones and cruise missiles now manufactured in colossal volumes by our adversaries, ballistic missiles capable of ending the world as we know it, and a new generation of hypersonic weapons that evade every existing defence. We are building low-cost interceptors that defeat these threats, and the surveillance systems to detect and target them - at a cost taxpayers can afford, at the pace the threat demands, and with sovereign supply chains that assure delivery. We have immense backing from the world's best venture funds. We are one of the fastest growing defence technology companies in history. And we are hiring the best people to prosecute the mission. If you are in the top 1%, willing to work harder than you ever have, build capability better than anyone else, and contribute to the defining challenge of our time, now is the time to join us.
Our Commitment to Inclusion
We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. If you are excited about this role but do not meet every requirement, we still encourage you to apply.
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