Supplier Quality Assurance Manager
Open Cosmos
full-time
Posted on:
Location Type: Hybrid
Location: Harwell • United Kingdom
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Tech Stack
About the role
- Own how quality shows up across our supply chain, shaping how we select, work with and continuously improve our suppliers to meet the demands of space.
- Build strong, collaborative relationships while setting clear expectations and ensuring standards are met, risks are understood, and issues are owned and resolved properly.
- Define and lead our Supplier Quality Assurance approach across all programmes, aligned to ECSS, ISO9001 and AS9100.
- Own supplier qualification, audit and approval processes, understanding capability, identifying risks and setting expectations early.
- Build and manage supplier performance metrics, using data to drive accountability and continuous improvement.
- Embed quality into RFQs, contracts and technical requirements in close collaboration with Supply Chain and Engineering.
- Lead supplier-related non-conformances and MRBs, ensuring root causes are identified and corrective actions are effective.
- Monitor supplier manufacturing and inspection processes to ensure consistency, traceability and reliability.
- Support new product introduction by validating supplier readiness and process capability before production.
- Maintain clear, audit-ready supplier quality documentation and ensuring alignment with configuration and data control requirements.
- Support customer and external audits with robust evidence of supplier performance and compliance.
- Identify trends, risks and improvement opportunities across the supply base and feed these into wider business learning.
Requirements
- Strong knowledge of supplier quality in high-reliability engineering environments where quality is critical
- Deep understanding of ECSS, AS9100 and ISO9001 and how to apply them in a practical, delivery-focused way
- Ability to conduct supplier audits, validate processes and lead effective root cause investigations
- Good understanding of manufacturing processes (e.g. electronics, harnessing, composites, mechanical structures) and associated quality risks
- Confidence managing non-conformances, MRBs and CAPA through to meaningful resolution
- Ability to use ERP, PLM or QMS systems to interpret supplier data and track performance
- Clear communication and influencing skills, able to challenge constructively and build alignment across teams and suppliers
- A pragmatic, structured approach to problem-solving, balancing rigour with pace
- Strong ownership, integrity and attention to detail in how you work with both internal teams and external partners.
Benefits
- Work at the cutting edge of space technology with customers around the globe.
- A mission-driven company making space accessible to help solve real-world challenges.
- A diverse, ambitious, and supportive team.
Applicant Tracking System Keywords
Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.
Hard Skills & Tools
supplier quality assurancesupplier auditsroot cause investigationsmanufacturing processesnon-conformancesMRBsCAPAperformance metricscontinuous improvementquality documentation
Soft Skills
collaborative relationshipsclear communicationinfluencing skillsproblem-solvingattention to detailownershipintegrityconstructive challengestructured approachrisk identification
Certifications
ECSSISO9001AS9100