Nordisk Aviation Products AS is a pioneering, globally recognized company providing advanced freight containment solutions to the international air cargo industry. We deliver to customers worldwide from our facilities in Norway, China, and the USA. Nordisk is owned by TransDigm Inc, headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio. Our core values are Open, Passionate, and Accountable.

Nordisk is hiring: Global Head of Quality & Safety

Nordisk Aviation Products is a trusted leader in the aviation industry who upholds the highest standards of quality and safety throughout the value chain – from design and manufacturing to distribution and customer deliveries and satisfaction. With a steadfast commitment to compliance, traceability, and continual improvement, we ensure the reliability of our operations and our contribution to sustainable growth of the aviation sector.

As the Global Head of Quality and Safety, you will play a pivotal role in driving the company's Quality and HSE strategy. You will lead efforts to ensure compliance, foster continuous improvement, and embed a culture of excellence across the organization. This position is critical to maintaining Nordisk's reputation for high-quality products and services while ensuring operational resilience and regulatory adherence. Quality and Safety leadership at Nordisk is fundamental to operating responsibly and maintaining our reputation as a reliable partner in the aviation industry. The Global Head of Quality & Safety is pivotal in ensuring high performance across design, production, distribution, certification, and customer experience. By embedding QHSE practices seamlessly into our value chain, this role enables continual improvement and operational excellence.

Accountabilities:

Strategy, Continual Improvement, and Employee Empowerment

• Develop, operationalize and own the QHSE strategy aligned with Nordisk strategic plans.
• Lead, coach and mentor a global team always ensuring compliance to applicable regulations and standards, and best in class QHSE practices
• Foster and drive a continual improvement culture in QHSE domain throughout the entire value chain across the different regions
• Work closely with the management in developing KPIs driving performance and provide guidance including monitoring and reporting
• Act as a catalyst to ensure alignment between different departments and levels of the organization
• Drive, support, and facilitate the compliance and continual improvement to Nordisk “Business Process System”

Quality Assurance

• Developing and maintaining the company’s quality assurance systems to ensure that the company holds the necessary certifications and approvals, and that these are followed in the development, production, delivery, and maintenance of air cargo equipment
• Overseeing QA documentation, databases, and procedures: Maintain QA-related systems, coordinate updates, and ensure compliance with regulations. Conducting audits and inspections to ensure quality control procedures are up-to-date and adhered to
• Acting as the company’s point of contact with public authorities related to aviation safety and airworthiness, such as the Civil Aviation Authority, EASA, and FAA.
• Handling NCRs and waivers: Assess severity of NCRs reported, evaluate and approve waiver applications in collaboration with the ADOA Manager, sales, and other departments
• Internal quality / Cost of Non-Quality (CONQ) – through strong interaction with stakeholders in departments investigate NCRs to improve internal quality and reduce CONQ. Work continuously and systematically for and initiate actions for improvement of quality/reduction of CONQ
• Managing ongoing quality issues: Communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders, including the Accountable Manager, POA Manager, ADOA Manager, and Primary Inspectors of authorities. Hold weekly meetings with Certifying Staff/Quality Control
• Training and supervising quality control personnel, ensuring they are qualified to perform necessary inspections and issue required certificates
• Managing department personnel (Regional Quality Managers in Americas, EMEA, and APAC), budgets, and regular reporting (NCRs/KPIs/CONQ) and reviews such as Review Board Meetings
• Staying updated on guidelines and quality and safety requirements for equipment supplied to the air cargo market

HSE Management

• Ensure legal requirements from regulatory bodies are fulfilled with regards to legal HSE requirements as well as safety hazards and management of these due to airworthiness matters and issues
• Ensure compliance with the EASA Part 21 regulations regarding Safety Management System (SMS), including appropriate training of personnel
• Perform risk assessment on safety hazards when appropriate
• Set targets and KPI’s on safety measures, monitoring and reporting

System and Project Management

• Project management – Lead project to acquire a combined QHSE IT system - including document System, NCR handling, HSE incidents and observations, safety walks and risk assessments

Sustainability / ESG Management

• Establish and lead a cross-departmental Sustainability Team to develop and drive Nordisk sustainability program, with emphasis on the Environmental Area
• Develop ESG targets and KPI’s, monitoring and reporting
• Respond to customer and supplier ESG initiatives and requests
• Proactive goal-oriented relationship building with key contacts at customers and suppliers united by common visions, goals and interests within sustainability / ESG
• Drive processes regarding external ESG assessments and reporting

Qualifications and Experience:

• Preferably a bachelor’s or master’s degree, but relevant experience can compensate for higher education
• At least 5 years of experience in QA-focused roles
• Experience working with Civil Aviation Authorities, EASA, or similar is an advantage
• Strong project management experience is required
• Professional certification such as Six Sigma, CQE, or CQA is an advantage
• Superb IT competence, including database and software management
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
• Excellent interaction and communication skills with a proven ability to build and grow professional relationships
• Advanced English language proficiency, written and verbal
• Knowledge of manufacturing industry standards and regulations
• Expertise in risk assessment, investigation, and auditing
  

You are able to:

• Act on your own initiative and take responsibility for results
• Build a strong professional network of contacts and leverage it to achieve goals
• Use a methodical and systematic approach to prioritize and allocate resources effectively
• Analyze complex issues and make rational judgments
• Communicate in a precise, structured manner
• Collaborate well with others, sharing knowledge and supporting Nordisk’s goals
• Be data-driven, solution-oriented, and adept at identifying critical details without losing sight of overarching objectives, ensuring alignment with strategic goals

We can offer:

• A professional, innovative, and positive working environment
• Opportunities to work in an international setting and develop a global network
• Personal and professional growth opportunities

We are looking for candidates who live Nordisk Aviation Products’ values of Open, Passionate, and Accountable.

The position reports to the General Manager and is based at our headquarters in Holmestrand, Norway.

For inquiries, please contact recruiter Renate Rehn at +47 412 06 412.

Application deadline: January 23, 2025.