Supplier Quality Specialist

Luton, England, United Kingdom

3/26/2025

Job Description

We have an exciting opportunity for a Supplier Quality Specialist to join our team within the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP). In this pivotal role, you will drive aerospace quality excellence, integrate cutting-edge digital tools, and collaborate with key stakeholders to shape the future of defence technology.

Your Impact

As a Supplier Quality Specialist, you will

• Ensure aerospace innovation becomes reality by upholding and advancing the highest quality standards.
• Integrate advanced digital quality management tools, enabling smarter, data-driven decision-making.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives, pushing the boundaries of quality, performance, and reliability in the defence aerospace sector.
• Work closely with key stakeholders, ensuring seamless collaboration between suppliers, engineers, and programme leaders.
• Contribute to ground-breaking advancements in defence technology, helping to create a safer, more secure future.
  
  

What You’ll Do As a Supplier Quality Specialist

Innovate and Elevate Quality Standards

• Develop a Tailored APQP Framework Design and implement a customised Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) approach that aligns with our strategic vision, ensuring a resilient and future-ready supply chain.
• Drive Digital Transformation Support the adoption of digital quality tools and data analytics, enabling a seamless transition to predictive quality strategies and digital records.
• Champion Collaborative Quality Assurance Work closely with Integrated Project Teams (IPTs) to embed quality standards across the supply chain and product lifecycle.
  
  

Lead Supplier Quality Excellence

• Transform Supplier Relationships Shift supplier interactions from transactional to strategic, fostering a culture where quality is a shared priority.
• Conduct Agile Audits Perform dynamic supplier audits, identifying opportunities for breakthrough improvements in quality and efficiency.
• Implement Cutting-Edge Quality Initiatives Collaborate with suppliers to develop and integrate innovative quality processes, setting new industry benchmarks.
• Develop Metrics that Inspire Establish performance-driven KPIs that not only measure success but drive continuous improvement.
  
  

Shape the Future of Supply Chain Quality

• Champion Continuous Improvement Lead transformational quality projects, redefining industry standards and driving operational excellence.
• Navigate Supply Chain Complexity Manage global supply chain networks, where decisions impact multiple stakeholders, technologies, and materials.
• Forge Global Alliances Build strong international partnerships, ensuring a synchronized approach to quality across diverse regions.
• Strengthen Supplier Synergy Develop strategic supplier collaborations, navigating global trade, regulations, and logistics with precision.
• Harness Quality Intelligence Use data-driven insights to develop a predictive Quality Intelligence System, proactively addressing potential risks.
• Enhance Risk Management Contribute to a robust Supply Chain Risk Management framework, identifying and mitigating potential disruptions.
• Integrate Suppliers into Product Development Ensure quality is embedded from the earliest design stages through close supplier collaboration.
• Champion Sustainability Advocate for environmental and social responsibility, ensuring suppliers meet strict ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) standards.
• Leverage Emerging Technologies Explore AI-powered defect detection, blockchain for traceability, and advanced automation to streamline supplier quality processes.
• Drive Cultural Alignment Align diverse international teams around a unified quality vision, fostering a culture of collaboration and excellence.
• Elevate Supplier Knowledge Lead educational initiatives to empower suppliers, transforming them into proactive quality partners.
  
  

Be the Architect of a Next-Generation Quality Ecosystem

In this role, you will shape a future where supplier quality is not just a requirement—but a competitive advantage. Your expertise will drive innovation, collaboration, and excellence, ensuring that our supply chain is built for the challenges of tomorrow.

Are you ready to lead the transformation and set new standards in aerospace and defence supplier quality? Join us and be the change.

What We Need From You

• Familiarity with NATO quality assurance requirements, including AQAP 2110 for design, development, and production, and AQAP 2310 for aviation, space, and defence suppliers.
• Understanding and experience with AS9100 standard requirements for the aerospace industry.
• Capability to ensure continuous improvement and compliance with aerospace quality system requirements.
• Proficiency in conducting external audits to recognized international standards.
• Strong analytical skills to identify quality issues and implement effective solutions.
• Commitment to upholding the highest standards of quality and safety in all aspects of the job.
• Expertise in implementing Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP)
• Proficiency in the use of fundamental quality tools and techniques, such as 8D, Cause-and-effect diagrams, Check sheets, Control charts, Histograms, Pareto charts, Scatter diagrams, and Stratification.
• Exceptional communication skills Ability to convey complex quality concepts clearly and effectively to diverse stakeholders.
• Teamwork and collaboration Working harmoniously with cross-functional teams to achieve quality objectives.
• Problem-solving abilities Identifying issues promptly and developing innovative solutions to enhance quality standards.
• Empathy Understanding the needs and challenges of colleagues and clients to foster a supportive work environment.
• Adaptability Being flexible and responsive to the dynamic nature of quality standards and project requirements.
• Organisational skills Managing tasks and documentation efficiently to maintain high-quality work within deadlines.
• Attention to detail Monitoring processes with a keen eye to ensure no detail is overlooked.
• Interpersonal skills Building and maintaining strong professional relationships within and outside the organization.
• Active listening Giving full attention to what others are saying, taking time to understand the points being made.
  
  

Security Clearance

You must be eligible for full security clearance. For more information and guidance please visit https //www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels

Life at Leonardo

With a company funded benefits package, a commitment to learning and development, and a flexible approach to working hours focused on the needs of both our employees and customers, a career with Leonardo has never offered as many opportunities or been more accessible to as many people.

• Flexible Working Flexible hours with hybrid working options. For part time opportunities, please talk to us
• Company funded flexible benefits We offer award-winning flexible benefits plan, having won the Best Flexible Working Policy Award, Best Flexible Benefits Strategy and Best Flexible Benefits Plan in 2023. These include; access to private healthcare, dental schemes, Workplace ISA, Go Green Car Scheme, technology and lifestyle options (£500 annual allowance)
• Holidays 25 days plus bank holidays, option to buy/sell leave and to accrue up to 12 additional flexi leave days per year
• Pension Award winning pension scheme (up to 15% employer contribution)
• Wellbeing Employee Assistance Programme, access to Mental Health support, Financial wellbeing support, network groups (Enable, Pride, Equalise, Reservists, Carers)
• Lifestyle Discounted Gym membership, Cycle to work scheme
• Training Free access to more than 4000 online courses via Coursera
• Referral Incentive You can earn a reward for successfully referring a friend or family member
• Bonus Scheme in place for all employees at management level and below
  
  

For a full list of our Company benefits please visit our website.

Leonardo is a global high-tech company and one of the key players in Aerospace, Defence and Security. Headquartered in Italy, Leonardo has over 45,000 employees, of which 7,000 are based in the UK.

At Leonardo UK, we believe that a diverse and inclusive work environment unlocks our people’s full potential and drives innovation and creativity. We work hard to offer a welcoming, accessible and inclusive place to work for all of our people, creating a culture where everyone can thrive, feel safe and have a sense of belonging and connection.

This is a great opportunity to bring your talents and form an integral part of Leonardo’s future. We can help you develop your skills and offer great opportunities to develop and grow, so why not join us.

Primary Location

GB - Luton - Cap. Green 300

Contract Type

Permanent

Hybrid Working

Hybrid