Supplier Quality Manager - EPU

Our Mission

At Vertical Aerospace, we are pioneering the way for electric aviation. The VX4, our eVTOL (electric, vertical, take-off and landing), ‘zero emissions’ aircraft will set a new safety standard for how we will navigate the sky.

We won’t realise our mission following the same legacy processes and traditions our predecessors followed, instead, we want to ‘redefine’ aerospace best practices.

We are growing quickly from a prototype business to a scaling SME, and the next few years will be critical to our success and delivering on our ambitious goals of having the VX4 in service by 2030.

What to expect

In this role, you will be responsible for managing and assuring the quality for the design and manufacture of our Electric Propulsion Unit (EPU). This role requires a strong background in quality assurance, with a focus on electric propulsion systems, electric motors and inverters. The successful candidate will work closely with suppliers, engineering teams, and production staff to ensure that all supplied parts meet our stringent quality standards

You'll report to our Head of Supplier Management, with autonomy to lead the end-to-end Supplier Quality process to ensure parts are delivered on time, at the required rate as well as to the required quality standard.

What you'll do

·       Work closely with engineering teams to ensure supplier quality requirements are integrated into the design phase.

·       Participate in design reviews to ensure supplier capabilities align with engineering requirements and project timelines.

·       Conduct supplier audits and assessments to evaluate their quality systems and processes.

·       Develop and implement supplier quality management strategies to ensure the highest quality standards for all supplied components.

·       Develop and implement quality assurance processes to monitor and improve supplier performance during the design phase.

·       Collaborate with suppliers to resolve quality issues and implement corrective actions including having a robust NCM process.

·       Monitor and analyse supplier performance metrics, and drive continuous improvement initiatives.

·       Work closely with engineering and production teams to ensure seamless integration of supplied components into the manufacturing process.

·       Lead root cause analysis and problem-solving activities for supplier-related quality issues.

·       Maintain and update supplier quality documentation, including quality agreements and specifications.

·       Provide technical support and guidance to suppliers on quality-related matters.

·       Stay up to date with industry best practices and advancements in electric propulsion technology.

What you'll bring

·       Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, or a related field.

·       Minimum of 5 years of experience in supplier quality engineering, preferably in the automotive or aerospace industry.

·       Strong knowledge of quality management systems (AS9100, ISO 9001) and manufacturing processes.

·       Experience with electric propulsion systems or related technologies is highly desirable.

·       Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to lead root cause analysis activities.

·       Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams and suppliers.

·       Proficiency in quality tools and methodologies, such as APQP, FMEA, SPC, and Six Sigma.

·       Willingness to travel to supplier locations as needed.

What can you expect from us?

We're on a mission. Where others see limits, we see opportunity, and we work at pace. Working at Vertical isn't your average role but for those seeking a challenge, a flexible, supportive organisation and an incredible team; working here is an opportunity to do the best work of your career.

Our approach promotes ingenuity and courage, while our environment builds success through diligence in safety and being open in the way we work. The only way we're going to assure the next chapter of aviation history is by working as a team, relentlessly, towards our goal. 

Our benefits

Our people matter - we're not going anywhere without them. Which is why our company benefits go beyond the essentials.

• 26 days holiday, plus bank holiday

• 5 extra days per year to buy (or sell)

• 5 extra days holiday when you get married or enter a civil partnership

• Additional 4% of your salary to spend on extra benefits

• Award-winning digital health and wellbeing service (Help@Hand)

• Company Share Scheme - open to every Vertical employee

• Company Pension Scheme - 5% and we match it

• Breakfast on us, every day

We may just be the hardest job you've ever had, but we're confident it will be the most rewarding. Join the team today and help us shape the future of Advanced Air Mobility.

Disclaimer Statement

We encourage you to apply even if you may not have all the experience listed in the advert. We recognise that talent comes in various forms and we are committed to providing opportunities that create an environment of growth, diversity, and inclusion for everyone. As part of our desire to review and make our processes fair, we may ask you questions related to these aspects during the application process. For more information on how we will use your data, see our Legal section.