Airbus

Quality Operations Manager

Airbus • $110K — $130K *
Kinston, NC 28504In-Person
Aerospace & Defense
8 - 10 years of experience
Today
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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality Management, or a related field.
  • Minimum of 10 years in quality management within aerospace or defense manufacturing.
  • Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), Certified Quality Auditor (CQA), or equivalent ASQ certification required.
  • Proficient in quality systems (AS9100, ISO 9001), audit practices, and CAPA processes.
  • Strong understanding of aerospace regulations and EASA compliance requirements.

Responsibilities

  • Ensure compliance with aerospace industry standards and regulatory requirements throughout production.
  • Conduct audits and inspections to identify risks and non-conformances.
  • Lead continuous improvement initiatives using methodologies like Six Sigma and Lean.
  • Analyze quality metrics to drive strategic decision-making and preventative measures.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate quality requirements into various processes.
  • Train and mentor quality team members to foster a culture of accountability.

Benefits

  • Opportunity to impact quality standards in a new Airbus affiliate.
  • Chance to lead a cross-functional team and drive compliance.
  • Involvement in continuous improvement initiatives affecting production efficiency.
  • Potential for professional growth in a regulated aerospace environment.
Full Job Description
Job Description:

Job Summary: The Quality Operations Manager ensures that all manufacturing and operational processes meet stringent aerospace industry standards, regulatory requirements, and customer expectations. This role leads quality assurance initiatives, drives continuous improvement, and collaborates across departments to maintain excellence in product safety, reliability, and compliance.

This role is contingent upon obtaining all necessary regulatory approvals and the successful closing of a transaction which will result in establishing a new Airbus Affiliate in Kinston, NC (the "Kingston Affiliate"). The Quality Operations Manager would be an employee of the Kingston Affiliate"

Primary Responsibilities:

[Quality Assurance & Compliance Oversight]: 45%
  • Ensure compliance with aerospace industry standards (e.g., AS9100, FAA, EASA) and regulatory requirements throughout the production lifecycle.
  • Conduct audits and inspections, both internal and external, to identify risks, non-conformances, and opportunities for corrective action.


[Process Improvement & Operational Excellence]: 35%
  • Lead continuous improvement initiatives using Six Sigma, Lean, or other methodologies to optimize quality performance and reduce defects.
  • Analyze quality metrics and trends to drive strategic decision-making and implement preventative measures across production lines.


[Cross-Functional Collaboration & Leadership]: 20%
  • Partner with Engineering, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain teams to ensure quality requirements are integrated into design, production, and sourcing processes.
  • Train and mentor quality team members, fostering a culture of accountability, safety, and ongoing development.


Additional Responsibilities:

Other duties as assigned: Risk Management & Root Cause Analysis
  • Identify and assess quality-related risks across operations, implementing mitigation strategies to prevent impact on safety, compliance, or delivery.
  • Lead root cause investigations using tools like 9S, 5 Whys, or FMEA, and ensure effective corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs) are implemented and sustained.


Qualified Experience and Training:

Education:

Required
  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality Management, or a related technical field.

Preferred
  • Master's degree in Engineering, Business Administration, or related discipline.


Experience:

Required
  • Minimum of 10 years of quality management experience in a regulated aerospace or defense manufacturing environment.

Preferred
  • Minimum of 10 years experience leading multi-site quality operations or working with international aerospace regulatory bodies.


Licensure/Certifications:

Required
  • Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), Certified Quality Auditor (CQA), or equivalent ASQ certification.

Preferred
  • Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or equivalent continuous improvement certification.


Travel Required:
  • Willingness to travel up to 5% to domestic and/or international customers or suppliers

Citizenship:
  • Eligible for employment in the US

Clearance:
  • None


Qualified Skills:

Required:
  • Proficient in quality systems (AS9100, ISO 9001), audit practices, and CAPA processes.

Preferred:
  • Familiarity with enterprise quality management software (e.g., ETQ, MasterControl)


Knowledge, Skills, Demonstrated Capabilities:

Required
  • Strong understanding of aerospace regulations and EASA compliance requirements. Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.Proven track record of driving quality improvements and sustaining compliance in a high-reliability manufacturing environment.

Preferred
  • Working knowledge of APQP, PPAP, or other advanced product quality planning methodologies. Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to influence across organizational levels. Demonstrated success leading cross-functional teams through audits, quality transformations, or certifications.


Communication Skills:

Required:
  • Ability to communicate clearly and effectively across all levels of the organization, including operators, engineers, and executives.

Preferred:
  • Experience presenting quality performance metrics, audit findings, and strategic recommendations to senior leadership and external regulators.


Technical Systems Proficiency:

Required:
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and quality management systems (QMS) used in manufacturing environments.

Preferred:
  • Experience with aerospace-specific tools such as SAP, MES systems, and statistical software (e.g., Minitab, JMP).


Complexity of the Role:
  • This role requires sound judgment in navigating complex regulatory requirements, quality standards, and operational constraints unique to the aerospace industry. The Quality Operations Manager must make critical decisions regarding non-conforming materials, determine root causes of systemic issues, and recommend corrective actions that balance compliance, cost, and production timelines. Additionally, the role involves guiding strategic improvements across cross-functional teams, such as recommending process redesigns or quality system upgrades that directly impact product integrity and customer satisfaction.


Level of Decision Making:
  • The role requires a blend of strategic and tactical decision-making, influencing long-term quality initiatives while managing day-to-day operational challenges. Decisions made by the Quality Operations Manager directly impact product compliance, production efficiency, and the organization's ability to meet critical aerospace regulatory and customer requirements.


Organizational information:

Refer to the Quality Org chart

Direct Reports:

Is this a people manager? Yes

# of Exempt Reports: 20-25

# of Non-exempt Reports: 0

Job Dimensions:
  • The Quality Operations Manager may oversee a quality-related budget and has strategic influence over cost of non-quality (CNQ), scrap, rework, and audit readiness, directly affecting operational efficiency and financial performance. This role also supports key customer relationships by ensuring compliance with contractual quality requirements and maintaining high standards that protect company reputation and enable continued business growth.


Nature of Contacts:
  • Internal: Production, ME, Finance, HR, AOS, Workers Council
  • External: MdB and Toulouse Airbus Operations


Physical Requirements:
  • Onsite or remote: 90% On-site / 10% Remote
  • Vision: Daily able to see and read computer screens and other electronic equipment with screens, able to read documents, reports and engineering drawings.
  • Hearing: Daily able to participate in conversations in person and via teleconference or phone and to hear sounds on the production floor including safety warnings or alarms.
  • Speaking: Daily able to speak in conversations and meetings, deliver information and participate in communications.
  • Equipment Operation (personal computer, telephone, copies, fax machine, and related office equipment and using electronic identification card to enter building floors and internal doors):Rarely able to operate most office and personal electronic equipment and some tools including production tools such as hydraulic lifts.
  • Carrying: Weekly able to carry documents, tools, drawings, electronic equipment up to 30lbs/14kgs.
  • Lifting: Weekly able to lift documents, tools, drawings, electronic equipment up to 30lbs/14kgs.
  • Pushing / Pulling: Several times a month able to push and pull small office furniture and some equipment and tools.
  • Sitting: Daily able to sit for long periods of time in meetings, working on the computer.
  • Squatting / Kneeling: Daily able to squat or kneel to retrieve or replace items stored on low shelving.
  • Standing: Daily able to stand for discussions in offices or on the production floor.
  • Travel: Once or twice a year able to travel independently and at short notice.
  • Walking (include routine walking such as to a shared printer to retrieve documents): Daily able to walk through office and production areas including uneven surfaces.
  • Personal Protective Equipment required: Required PPE includes, but is not limited to, Safety Shoes, Safety Glasses, Hearing Protection, Respirators/Masks, and/or Protective Gloves as required by site and/or customer site
  • Administrative position only PPE required: Steel-toed shoes are required for all shop floor visits, appropriate hearing/eye protection may also be required when visiting the shop floor.

About Airbus

Airbus SE is a European multinational aerospace corporation that designs, manufactures, and sells civil and military aeronautical products worldwide. The company operates in three segments: Airbus, Airbus Helicopters, and Airbus Defence and Space. The Airbus segment develops, manufactures, markets, and sells commercial jet aircraft of approximately 100 seats; and regional turboprop aircraft and aircraft components, as well as provides aircraft conversion and related services. The Airbus Helicopters segment develops, manufactures, markets, and sells civil and military helicopters; and offers helicopter related services. The Airbus Defence and Space segment develops, manufactures, markets, and sells military aircraft, such as combat, mission, transport, and tanker aircraft; and missile systems, military satellites, and defence electronics, as well as provides defence related services. The company was formerly known as Airbus Group SE and changed its name to Airbus SE in April 2017. Airbus SE was founded in 2000 and is headquartered in Blagnac, France.
Learn more about Airbus
Size
135,000 employees
Industry
Aerospace & Defense
Founded
2000
* Ladders Estimates

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