VHR is supporting a leading international aerospace manufacturing organisation that is expanding its operations within the UAE. Our client is seeking an experienced Project & Product Quality Manager to play a key role in quality assurance activities across industrialisation, manufacturing transfer, production ramp-up, and serial manufacturing operations.

This position offers the opportunity to contribute to a high-profile aerospace manufacturing programme, ensuring product conformity, process compliance, and operational excellence throughout the production lifecycle.

The Project & Product Quality Manager will be responsible for driving product and process quality from manufacturing transfer through to serial production and delivery. Working closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Industrialisation and Supplier Quality teams, you will ensure quality requirements are effectively deployed and maintained throughout the organisation.

Industrialisation, Transfer & Production Quality

• Lead product and process quality assurance activities from industrialisation and manufacturing transfer through to full-rate production.
• Develop and deploy project quality plans to support programme milestones and manufacturing readiness.
• Lead Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) activities, ensuring all deliverables are completed and reviewed on time.
• Coordinate and approve First Article Inspection (FAI) activities in accordance with aerospace industry requirements and customer specifications.
• Review and validate Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) submissions and supporting documentation.
• Assess manufacturing readiness, including process validation, tooling, equipment capability, inspection resources, operator competency, and documentation control.
• Ensure technical documentation, configuration data, drawings, and Bills of Materials (BOMs) are accurately controlled and available.
• Establish inspection strategies and control plans covering incoming, in-process, and final inspections.
• Maintain compliance with approved drawings, technical specifications, customer requirements, and applicable industry standards.
• Ensure full product traceability, configuration control, and quality record management.

Non-Conformance & Corrective Action Management

• Lead the identification, containment, investigation, and resolution of product and process non-conformities.
• Work with cross-functional teams to resolve production, supplier, documentation, and process-related quality issues.
• Facilitate root cause investigations using methodologies such as:
  • 8D
  • 5 Why
  • QRQC
  • Structured Problem Solving
• Manage concessions, deviations, repairs, and rework activities in accordance with approved processes.
• Analyse recurring quality issues and implement corrective and preventive actions to improve operational performance.
• Act as the focal point for rapid problem-solving activities and continuous quality improvement initiatives.

Auditing & Continuous Improvement

• Conduct internal product, process, and manufacturing audits.
• Track audit findings through to closure and verify effectiveness of corrective actions.
• Monitor key quality performance indicators including:
  • First Pass Yield
  • Scrap
  • Rework
  • Defect Rates
  • Cost of Poor Quality
• Identify opportunities for process improvement and drive quality excellence initiatives across the business.

Reporting & Stakeholder Management

• Provide regular updates on quality performance, programme readiness, risk status, APQP/FAI/PPAP progress, and improvement activities.
• Support external audits conducted by customers, regulatory bodies, and certification authorities.
• Represent Quality in customer and stakeholder meetings.
• Support the development of local quality teams and contribute to a culture of product safety, compliance, and operational excellence.

Qualifications

• Degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Qualified Quality Auditor certification preferred.
• Additional training or qualifications in APQP, PFMEA, PPAP, FAI or structured problem-solving methodologies would be advantageous.

Experience

• Minimum 5 years' experience within aerospace manufacturing quality, production quality, industrialisation, or new product introduction environments.
• Experience supporting manufacturing transfer, production launches, industrial ramp-up programmes, or operational readiness projects.
• Proven experience working within highly regulated manufacturing environments.

Technical Knowledge

• Strong understanding of:
  • AS9100
  • AS9102
  • APQP
  • PPAP
  • PFMEA
  • Control Plans
  • Configuration Management
  • Traceability Requirements
  • Non-Conformance Management
• Experience within aerospace manufacturing, aircraft interiors, complex assemblies, or other precision engineering industries is highly desirable.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, technical specifications, and manufacturing documentation.

Key Competencies

• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Excellent cross-functional leadership and influencing capability.
• Structured problem-solving and analytical thinking.
• Ability to work effectively in fast-paced manufacturing environments.
• Strong planning, organisational, and reporting skills.
• Commitment to quality, compliance, continuous improvement, and product safety.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications.

What's on Offer?

• Opportunity to join a growing aerospace manufacturing operation during an exciting expansion phase.
• Exposure to large-scale industrialisation and production transfer programmes.
• Career development within an international aerospace environment.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.