Senior Quality Manager (Supplier Development)

What if you could work with remarkable people on extraordinary things? What if the end result was something a little bit special? What if your role was mission critical?
For nearly 70 years, AWE has been at the forefront of nuclear weapons research and development. We have a critical mission: to provide the warheads for the UK’s ultimate deterrent - Trident. We also use our unique skills to provide wider UK government with counter-terrorism and nuclear threat reduction solutions.
It takes a special sort of person to work at AWE. What if that person was you?
Senior Quality Manager (Supplier Development)
Location - Reading/Basingstoke, hybrid working available.
Salary - £55,440 - £72,000 depending on skills and experience.
Closing date - 15th Feb 2024
You will assess and assure Supplier Quality in all aspects of performance and drive supplier continuous improvement activities to reduce defects within the supply chain.
We are looking for an initiative-taking individual who can demonstrate a positive and proactive approach in recommending and implementing improvements to existing working methods and supplier’s processes to ensure deliverables & services meet AWE requirements.
Other duties to include;

• Collaborating with Supplier’s senior management to influence effective development to meet AWE’s Quality Requirements using six sigma methodology and lean techniques.
• Providing Quality guidance and support to suppliers to ensure compliance to AWE’s Quality Requirements.
• Driving Supplier Quality related activities with new product introduction understanding design intent and ensuring deliverables meet technical requirements.
• Driving supplier performance and process improvement, identifying any non-conformances, root cause analysis, and robust corrective action/preventive action to reduce supplier defects.
• Communicating effectively, ensuring problems that may affect production are escalated in a timely manner.

Whilst not considered a check list, candidates should be able to demonstrate the following:

• Lead Auditor Certification in nationally recognised auditing standards and procedures, ideally ISO 9001:2015.
• Relevant degree or equivalent qualification (or working towards) and/or experience.
• Strong manufacturing or process related background with significant experience of leading successful change and transformation.
• Good knowledge of national and international standards for quality management systems.
• Work proactively with suppliers, building strong partnerships and supporting Supplier Development.
• Provided technical advice on standards and acceptance criteria appropriate to scopes of supplier quality work.

As part of our People Promise, AWE (one of the best 25 big companies to work for in the UK) has a range of benefits to suit you. These include:

• Time to recharge your batteries with 270 hours of annual leave (plus every other Friday off work)
• Opportunities for Professional Career Development that include funding for the annual membership of a relevant professional body, access to mentors and training.
• Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services.
• A generous defined contribution Group Personal Pension (we will pay between 9% and 13% of your pensionable pay depending on your own contribution).
• Life Assurance.
• Discounts - access to savings on a wide range of everyday spending.
• Special Leave Policy including paid time off for volunteering, public service (including reserve forces) and caring for your family.
• A host of voluntary & core benefits to suit your health and wellbeing - more information available on our careers site.

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Please note that you must be a British National to apply for a role with us.
Our ambition is to create workplaces where we recognise and celebrate differences, encourage diverse contributions and our employees feel able to be themselves at work. We strive to create a genuine culture of openness and inclusion and encourage diverse applicants. Any inclusion information you provide us will be used to encourage and support you through the application process and will be held only for this purpose in accordance with GDPR.