Quality and Compliance Leader

About the Role

Our client is seeking an experienced Quality and Compliance leader to oversee quality, regulatory compliance and safety-related activities within its aerospace operations in Singapore.

The successful candidate will be responsible for maintaining a robust quality management framework, ensuring compliance with applicable aviation regulations, managing audits and investigations, and driving continuous improvement across the organisation. The role will work closely with senior leadership and cross-functional teams to maintain high standards of operational quality, regulatory compliance and safety.

Key Responsibilities

Quality & Regulatory Compliance

• Provide overall leadership and oversight of quality and regulatory compliance activities across the organisation.
• Ensure operations remain compliant with applicable civil aviation regulations and requirements in Singapore and relevant international markets.
• Maintain a strong understanding of regulatory requirements governing aerospace maintenance and related activities.
• Monitor regulatory developments and ensure relevant requirements are effectively incorporated into local processes and procedures.

Quality Management System

• Lead the development, implementation and continuous improvement of the organisation's Quality Management System.
• Ensure the quality framework remains aligned with relevant aerospace and quality management standards, including ISO 9001 and applicable AS9100/AS9110 requirements.
• Establish and maintain local quality policies, procedures and objectives in alignment with business and operational priorities.
• Work closely with senior management and operational teams to ensure quality requirements are effectively embedded into day-to-day activities.

Audit & Compliance Management

• Develop and manage the internal audit programme and coordinate external audits and regulatory inspections.
• Lead or oversee audits involving aviation authorities, customers, certification bodies and other relevant external parties.
• Ensure audit findings are appropriately investigated, documented and addressed within the required timeframe.
• Monitor corrective actions through to effective closure and verify the sustainability of implemented improvements.
• Maintain a high level of organisational readiness for regulatory inspections and external assessments.

Investigation & Corrective Action

• Lead the investigation of quality incidents, non-conformities, occurrences and other operational events.
• Apply structured root cause analysis and problem-solving techniques to identify underlying causes and contributing factors.
• Consider human, behavioural and organisational factors when investigating maintenance-related errors and incidents.
• Ensure appropriate reporting and escalation of relevant occurrences to internal stakeholders and regulatory authorities.
• Develop and monitor corrective and preventive actions to address identified issues and prevent recurrence.

Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities to improve operational quality, efficiency and compliance across the organisation.
• Promote the use of structured problem-solving, Lean principles and data-driven approaches to address operational challenges.
• Analyse quality and compliance trends, identify recurring issues and recommend appropriate improvement initiatives.
• Track the effectiveness of improvement and corrective action programmes through relevant performance indicators.

Leadership & Stakeholder Management

• Lead, coach and develop the Quality and Compliance team, ensuring appropriate levels of capability, engagement and technical competency.
• Establish clear objectives and performance expectations for the team.
• Work collaboratively with Operations, Engineering, Logistics, EHS and other functions to resolve quality and compliance matters.
• Provide regular reporting to senior management on quality performance, regulatory compliance, audit status, significant incidents and key improvement initiatives.
• Act as a trusted quality representative within the organisation and provide constructive challenge where operational decisions may create quality, compliance or safety risks.
• Build effective relationships with regional and international stakeholders in a multicultural working environment.

Safety & Risk Management

• Promote a strong culture of quality, safety and regulatory compliance across the organisation.
• Work closely with operational and safety functions to identify and manage risks.
• Support the organisation's response to significant quality or safety events, including major incidents, product-related issues and other business-critical situations.
• Ensure appropriate escalation, investigation and follow-up of significant events.

External Stakeholder Management

Maintain effective working relationships with key external stakeholders, including:

• Civil aviation authorities and regulatory bodies
• Airline and aerospace customers
• Aircraft and equipment manufacturers
• Suppliers and subcontractors
• Certification and inspection bodies
• Maintenance and service providers

Requirements

• Minimum 8 years of relevant experience in Quality, Compliance or related functions within the aerospace industry, preferably within an aviation maintenance, MRO, production or technical support environment.
• Degree in Engineering, Aerospace Engineering or another relevant technical discipline.
• Strong knowledge of Quality and Safety Management Systems and relevant aerospace standards, including ISO 9001 and AS9100/AS9110.
• Strong understanding of Singapore aviation regulatory requirements, together with knowledge of relevant international aviation regulations.
• Hands-on experience within a Part-145 maintenance environment is essential.
• Proven experience managing or leading Quality/Compliance teams.
• Experience working with aviation authorities, customers and external auditors.
• Strong knowledge of audit planning, execution, reporting and corrective action management.
• Demonstrated experience in incident, occurrence and maintenance error investigation using structured root cause analysis methodologies.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities, with the ability to interpret quality data and translate findings into practical actions.
• Ability to work effectively across multiple functions and influence stakeholders at different levels of the organisation.
• Strong leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills.
• High level of integrity, objectivity, attention to detail and accountability.
• Highly organised, methodical and able to operate effectively in a fast-paced operational environment.
• Proactive, adaptable and comfortable working independently while collaborating with international stakeholders.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Willingness to undertake occasional international travel where required.

Key Competencies

• Quality & Regulatory Compliance
• Aerospace / MRO Knowledge
• Audit & Inspection Management
• Root Cause Analysis & Investigation
• Leadership & Team Management
• Risk & Safety Management
• Stakeholder Management
• Decision-Making & Accountability
• Continuous Improvement
• Analytical & Problem-Solving Skills
• Communication & Influencing

If you are interested in applying for this role, please submit your resume through this portal or send a copy of your CV (Word document) to [email protected].

EA Reg No. R1876585

EA License No. 23S1593