Manager Product Assurance

We are looking for a Manager Product Assurance Engineering to strengthen, lead and mentor the Product Assurance Engineering team based in Papendrecht. 

As a Manager Product Assurance Engineering, you are a member of the Fokker Landing Gear division. Your role as a Certifying entity is to deploy and lead the product assurance team, and the associated quality activities aligned with the strategic direction of the organization. This is a vital position for the continuous development of both the quality processes and the Product Assurance Team’s competencies. The role will be the focal point for quality related continuous improvement working across multi-functional teams to drive results and objectives aligned to the strategic direction of the Fokker Landing Gear and GKN Aerospace’s business. 

Lead the development and deployment of advanced quality planning activities within GKNAF, including: 

• Setting up/maintaining customer quality requirements into Q plan/contract/compliance matrix,
• Supporting the evaluation, co-ordination and monitoring of achieved levels of conformity,
• Deployment of APQP tools and techniques.
• Provide support, advice and guidance to other team members with Quality tools, lean tools and techniques, enabling them to independently ensure that Quality requirements are met. 
• Ensure that Quality staff is deployed and developed to attain the necessary knowledge. 
• Ensure compliance to process and procedures to support an efficient business.
• Promote an effective a desirable quality culture.
• Lead the production part approval, through First Article Inspection. 
• Assure the adherence to the Quality system within the business by the business. 
• Assure that certification processes are consistently defined and applied within the business.
• Facilitate the use of 8 Disciplines (8D) within the business area. 
• Perform initial investigations to assess probable cause, informing the accountable function and ensuring corrective and preventative action has been taken. 
• Provide support to customers/authorities as necessary.
• Provide product quality performance indicators.
• Establish problem definition, root cause analysis, customer protection and corrective and preventative action. 
• Lead investigations into customer reported quality problems.
• Where necessary, interface with the Procurement function on quality issues in the supply chain.
• Guide and advise the business, ensuring the appropriate use of quality tools and techniques.
• Act as a guide and point of contact for customer, supplier and airline quality representatives as necessary.

The organization demonstrates passion for innovation and employees are rightly proud for what is engineered and built. This is a truly challenging work environment: a role where you contribute as an individual but also as a member of a diverse and international team of experts. At GKN Aerospace, you’re not only provided with the tools to perform at the best of your capabilities, but you’re also supported in your technical and personal development.

• Furthermore, a gross monthly salary up to € 7.500,- based on the CLA Metalektro and in line with your experience and qualifications. 
• 25 holidays + 13 additional days off (ATV)
• 8% holiday allowance
• Travel compensation
• Pension scheme
• A pleasant and informal working environment, working together to achieve the best results for our customers in a good and collegial atmosphere. 

• A completed technical/engineering degree, or ability to demonstrate knowledge to the equivalent depth and have a technical apprenticeship in an engineering environment. 
• Solid collaborative leadership capability in a manufacturing environment. 
• Experience in coaching, mentoring and advising individuals and teams on product quality matters.
• Experience of QMS management, preferably in Aerospace or in another highly regulated manufacturing sector (e.g. medical).
• Self-starter and able to work on own initiative.
• Hands-on and solution oriented. 
• Deep practical knowledge of proactive quality tools such as those within APQP/PPAP.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings and technical data.
• In-depth experience of problem solving using appropriate quality tools and techniques. 
• Effective communication skills for liaising with a wide range of people and departments both internal and external to GKNAF at all levels. 
• flexibility to work as a committed team player in a fast-paced customer focused environment.
• Demonstrated practical knowledge of SPC and deployment of quality tools and techniques.
• Strong Project Management skills would be an asset. 
• Fluency in English, both in writing & speaking; fluency in Dutch would be preferred. 

Landing Gear, part of GKN Fokker Aerospace, is a recognized specialist in landing gear and related systems. They focus on the design and development, production and assembly of complete landing gears, as well as the repair and reassembly of systems already in use. In doing so, they work on the most famous aircraft and helicopters; think of the Apache combat helicopter, the F-35 Lightning II (JSF), the Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 and the multipurpose NH90 maritime combat helicopter.