Business Line Quality Director

Fantastic challenges. Amazing opportunities.

GKN Aerospace is reimagining air travel: going further, faster and greener! Fuelled by great people whose expertise and creativity sets the standards in our industry, we’re inspired by the opportunities to innovate and break boundaries. We’re proud to play a part in protecting the world’s democracies. And we’re committed to putting sustainability at the centre of everything we do, opening up and protecting our planet. With over 16,000 employees across 33 manufacturing sites in 12 countries we serve over 90% of the world’s aircraft and engine manufacturers and achieved sales of £3.35 bn.in 2023. There are no limits to where you can take your career.

Job Summary

GKN Defence Airframes Business Line is seeking a highly talented Business Line Quality Director to drive performance improvements across multiple quality, operations and supply chain domains within our organization. This strategic leader will focus on enhancing quality systems, business management processes, and problem-solving frameworks to meet the company’s operational goals and customer expectations. The Business Line Quality Director will ensure that processes remain robust and durable through effective implementation of GKN Global Quality Standards, Zero Defect Manufacturing, and manufacturing process controls. This role involves close collaboration with site leaders and site functional staffs to implement best practices, conduct root cause analysis, and foster a culture of excellence through mentoring, coaching, and leadership.

Job Responsibilities

Collaboration & Communication

• Represent the Business Line in support GKN Aerospace’s global quality strategies and objectives;
• Defining & measuring Business Line Quality Systems Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and ensuring appropriate actions are taken to address any deficiencies;
• Providing a risk escalation route in any instances where the lack of timely management action could jeopardise any Certification, Regulatory,
  
  

Quality Systems & Business Management Process

• Support the implementation, standardization, and optimization of quality management systems (QMS) and business management systems (BMS) across all sites.
• Develop and drive annual quality improvement plans aligned with business goals and KPIs for product quality, customer satisfaction, and operational efficiency.
• Monitor and improve key performance metrics, including cost-of-poor quality, defect rates, scrap reduction, and on-time delivery performance.
  
  

Problem Solving & Continuous Improvement

• Develop and implement root cause analysis (RCA) and Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA) instruction and coaching training modules to address non-conformances, customer complaints, and internal quality issues.
• Mentor teams in the use of structured problem-solving tools, such as 8D, DMAIC, and A3 reporting methodologies.
• Ensure robust process control systems are in place at both internal and supplier sites, using tools such as SPC (Statistical Process Control) and PFMEA (Process Failure Modes and Effects Analysis).
  
  

Coaching, Mentorship, And Leadership

• Provide instruction, coaching, and mentorship to site leaders and quality teams on best practices for quality systems, process management, and operational excellence.
• Partner with senior leadership on strategic planning initiatives, providing insights from quality trends and improvement projects to shape long-term business objectives
  
  

Job Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Business, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred).
• 10 years of experience in quality management, business management, or operations within manufacturing, aerospace, automotive, or related industries.
• Expertise in root cause analysis (RCA), CAPA, problem-solving tools (8D, DMAIC, A3), and Lean Six Sigma methodologies.
• Experience in supplier quality management, including supplier audits, performance assessments, and corrective action plans.
• Demonstrated success in leading cross-functional teams and mentoring staff in continuous improvement processes.
• Working knowledge of QMS standards (ISO 9001, AS9100) and familiarity with SPC, PFMEA, and control charts.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and project management skills.
• Ability to influence stakeholders at all levels of the organization, customers, and supplier interactions.
• US Person per ITAR regulations.
  
  

We’ll offer you fantastic challenges and amazing opportunities. This is your chance to be part of an organisation that has proven itself to be at the cutting edge of our industry; and is committed to pushing the boundaries even further. And with some of the best training on offer in the industry, who knows how far you can go?

A Great Place to work needs a Great Way of Working

Everyone is welcome to apply to GKN. We believe that we can only achieve our ambitions through a coming together of diverse minds who enjoy collaborating in an inspirational environment. Through our commitment to diversity, inclusion and belonging and by living our five powerful principles we’ve created a culture where everyone feels welcome to contribute. It’s a culture that won us ‘The Best Workplace Culture Award’. By embracing and celebrating what makes us unique we encourage everyone to bring their full self to work.

We’re also committed to providing an accessible recruitment process, so if you require reasonable adjustments at any stage during our recruitment process please get in touch and let us know.

We are the place where human dreams, plus human endeavour, shape the future of aerospace innovation and technology.