Head of Quality

About the role

HENSOLDT South Africa is looking for an experienced executive to lead its Quality & Business Assurance function. Reporting to the Executive Leadership Team, the Head of Quality will provide strategic direction and oversight across quality management, product assurance, safety, health & environment, risk management and business continuity in a highly regulated defence environment.

Key responsibilities

• Define and implement governance frameworks, strategies and assurance processes for quality and compliance.
• Maintain and continuously improve integrated management systems (ISO 9001, EN 9100, ISO 14001, ISO 45001) and ensure certification.
• Oversee product assurance, enterprise risk management and business continuity planning.
• Ensure compliance with customer, statutory, HENSOLDT Group and aerospace/defence regulatory requirements.
• Lead internal, supplier and external audit programmes and manage corrective actions.
• Drive performance reporting, data analysis and continuous improvement initiatives.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s degree in Quality Management, Engineering, Operations Management or related field.
• At least 10 years of experience in quality, assurance or compliance within manufacturing, aerospace or defence.
• Minimum 5 years in senior management leading multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience managing integrated management systems and organisational assurance functions.
• Post‑graduate qualification or Lead Auditor certification in ISO 9001/EN 9100 is advantageous.

Required skills

• Quality Management Systems (ISO 9001, EN 9100)
• Environmental & Occupational Health & Safety (ISO 14001, ISO 45001)
• Product Assurance and Quality Assurance
• Enterprise Risk Management
• Business Continuity Management
• Aerospace and defence regulatory compliance (including SACAA)
• Internal controls and corporate governance
• Audit management (internal, supplier, external)
• Supplier Quality Management
• Root Cause Analysis and Corrective Action
• Continuous Improvement
• Performance reporting and data analysis