Job Summary
The QMS & Supplier Quality Manager will develop and sustain the Quality Management System in line with the required industry standards (including AS9100/ ISO9001), accreditation requirements and business requirements across the organization. Regulate, control, and improve the quality of all processes throughout the business. Manage the audit program to ensure that all nonconformities raised during internal/ external audits are effectively corrected and independently verified. Embed a culture of continuous improvement throughout the company.
This position also provides leadership and oversight of the Supplier Quality Management Program to ensure that externally provided products, materials, and services consistently meet engineering specifications, contractual requirements, and established quality standards.
The position serves as a key liaison between Quality Assurance, Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, external suppliers, customers, and third-party certification bodies.
The ideal candidate possesses extensive aerospace quality management experience, demonstrated expertise in AS9100D compliance, strong supplier quality management capabilities, and a proven record of driving operational excellence.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Quality Management System (QMS) Management
Manage and maintain the company's AS9100D Quality Management System to ensure continued compliance with applicable standards and customer requirements.
Develop, review, revise, and maintain quality policies, procedures, work instructions, and associated QMS documentation.
Lead internal quality audits, ensuring effective implementation and compliance with established processes.
Coordinate and support AS9100D third-party certification and surveillance audits.
Serve as the primary point of contact for QMS-related customer and regulatory audits.
Authorized Management Representative, on behalf of the Quality Director, to include liaison with external parties on matters relating to the QMS.
Identify systemic quality issues and implement effective corrective and preventive improvement measures.
Ensure effective implementation of risk-based thinking throughout the organization's quality processes.
Monitor QMS effectiveness through established quality objectives, performance indicators, and management review activities.
Facilitate management review meetings, including preparation of performance reports and follow-up on assigned action items.
Ensure proper document control, record retention, and configuration management practices.
Responsible for overseeing the organization's calibration and measurement equipment control program to ensure compliance with AS9100D, applicable ISO/IEC 17025 requirements, and customer-specific quality requirements.
Supplier Quality Management
Develop, implement, and maintain the organization's Supplier Quality Management Program in accordance with AS9100D requirements.
Establish and maintain supplier qualification, approval, monitoring, and periodic reevaluation processes.
Maintain the Approved Supplier List (ASL), including supplier approval status and authorized scope of services.
Conduct supplier quality system audits, process assessments, and on-site evaluations.
Monitor supplier performance through established quality, delivery, and responsiveness metrics.
Manage Supplier Corrective Action Requests (SCARs), including root cause analysis and verification of corrective action effectiveness.
Collaborate with Purchasing and Engineering to resolve supplier-related quality issues.
Evaluate supplier capabilities, process controls, and manufacturing readiness.
Ensure applicable engineering, quality, contractual, and regulatory requirements are properly flowed down to suppliers.
Coordinate supplier development initiatives aimed at improving product conformity, delivery performance, and overall reliability.
Oversee supplier risk assessments and implement appropriate mitigation strategies.
Ensure effective control of outsourced manufacturing and special processes.
Evaluate, qualify, approve, and monitor external calibration service providers, including verification of ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation and applicable scopes of accreditation when required.
Quality Performance and Reporting
Establish and monitor measurable quality objectives aligned with organizational goals.
Develop and maintain QMS and supplier quality performance dashboards.
Track internal and external audit findings, corrective action closure, supplier defect rates, and supplier on-time delivery.
Present quality performance results and improvement recommendations to executive management.
Identify quality-related business risks and recommend appropriate corrective actions.
Support strategic planning and resource allocation for quality improvement initiatives.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Bachelor's degree in engineering, Quality Management, Manufacturing, or a related technical discipline. Equivalent combinations of education and directly relevant aerospace experience may be considered.
Experience
Minimum 5 years of progressive quality assurance experience in aerospace or defense manufacturing.
Minimum 3 years of experience managing or administering an AS9100 Quality Management System.
Demonstrated experience in supplier quality assurance, supplier audits, and supplier corrective action management.
Experience supporting successful AS9100 certification and surveillance audits.
Experience working with aerospace customer-specific quality requirements.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple quality initiatives and cross-functional projects.
Certified AS 9100 Lead auditor preferred.
Conduct supplier quality audits and assessments. Develop corrective action plans for suppliers that fail to meet quality expectations.
Must be able to communicate effectively at all levels of the organization.
Candidate must possess excellent interpersonal skills.
Must be willing to travel on an 'as needed' basis when business demands or customers require so.
Ability to multi-task and manage multiple projects.
Excellent responsiveness and customer focus.
Strong motivational and team development skills.
Preferred Qualifications
AS9100 Lead Auditor or Internal Auditor qualification.
ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE).
ASQ Certified Quality Auditor (CQA).
ASQ Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence (CMQ/OE).
Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt.
Experience supporting major aerospace OEM and Tier 1 customer quality requirements.
Technical Knowledge
Comprehensive understanding of AS9100D and ISO 9001 requirements.
Strong working knowledge of AS9102 First Article Inspection.
Working knowledge of ISO/IEC 17025:2017 requirements applicable to calibration laboratories and measurement traceability.
Experience with AS9100 internal auditing and supplier quality system assessments.
Understanding of NADCAP special process requirements and supplier oversight.
Knowledge of engineering drawings, GD&T, and aerospace manufacturing processes.
Experience with SCAR, 8D, root cause analysis, and corrective action systems.
Knowledge of quality risk management and continuous improvement methodologies.
Familiarity with ERP systems, electronic QMS software, and Microsoft Office applications.
Kirkhill, Inc. Competencies
Customer Focus - Knows and understands the needs of internal and external customers. Is results oriented and works hard to consistently provide exceptional service.
Ethics and Values - Adheres to an effective set of core values and beliefs and acts in accordance. Rewards the right values and disapproves of others.
Problem Solving - Looks beyond the obvious to find effective solutions.
Integrity and Trust - Widely trusted and seen as direct and truthful.
Functional/Technical Skills - Possesses the skills to be effective in the job. Has the skills to perform the job at a high level of accomplishment.
Listening - Practices active and attentive listening, able to hear others.
Action-oriented - Full of energy, willing to take action.
Composure - Cool under pressure, not knocked off balance by the unexpected, is a settling influence.
Values Diversity - Supports fair and equal treatment for all.
Kirkhill, Inc. is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. All successful candidates must submit to post offer pre-employment physical examination, drug/alcohol screen and background check as a condition of employment.
