Nicholas Saunders
Heathfield
Summary
Accomplished Quality Management Professional with a proven track record in developing both standards and management/client systems. Lead a motivated team to co-ordinate and exceed internal and external customer expectations. Experienced in promoting best practice and continuous improvement activities, making the necessary recommendations for success.
Overview
37
37
years of professional experience
Work History
AVS Training Solutions Quality Manager
Thales – Training & Simulation Division
Crawley
01.2010 - Current
- Managed 4 direct reports and contributed to major projects, enhancing team capabilities.
- Currently appointed as Part 145 Compliance Manager for Thales IFE and was a previous Form 4 Holder as an ATO Compliance Manager.
- Oversaw quality assurance activities in Military & Civil Training Service, ensuring project compliance from inception to completion.
- The first member of QA Department to be authorised as a Form 4 Holder (CAA Approved) within Thales UK & Europe for a Civil Training Service – Airbus A330 (Voyager).
- Received approval from the UK CAA in December 2014 as a Form 4 Post holder (Quality Manager) for the In-Flight Entertainment & Connectivity Organisation – Part 145.
- Be the focal point of contact for the UK CAA, Audit the IFEC MOE, QMS and SMS to Part 145 throughout the year and provide Quality Systems Training Initial & Continuation to all personnel.
- Issued and approved Part 145 Certification to Certifying Staff.
- Managed ATO Training, Part 147 Type Training, and the QMS of the Full Flight Simulator (FFS) and Flight Training Device (FTD), while auditing the relevant systems with a contract value of £140M.
- Led QA management for RSAF TS3, PORP & Tech Refresh Projects, fostering strong relationships with BAE and RSAF.
Principle Quality Engineer
Thales – Aerospace Division
Crawley
01.2007 - 12.2009
- Conducted quality assurance activities across all divisions within the Aerospace Division, from inception of projects to completion.
- Plan & implement Quality Assurance on assigned Programmes in accordance with the Company Reference System & Contract Requirements.
- Ensure that Project Quality Assurance activities are carried out throughout the project lifecycle.
- Served as the primary point of contact for programmes regarding QA matters, liaising with customers, sub-contractors, and suppliers.
- Acted as the QA representative within the Transmission Cell Team, verifying that survey, test, repair, and final inspection were conducted on High Voltage Transmitters.
- Served as the QA representative for two high-profile airborne projects within Thales.
- Conducted root cause analysis as part of the Quality Improvement Programme at Thales.
- Thales is a global company and within the UK is now firmly established within the Top 5 suppliers to the UK Ministry of Defence. Clients include other Defence Agencies – Europe & Worldwide, Projects Valued at £150K – £700M.
Project Manager – Quality
NTL Telewest HQ
Hook
01.2001 - 12.2006
- Conducted quality assurance activities and provided support to NTL Networks Division from project inception to completion.
- Monitoring project activities, processes and procedures for compliance with quality requirements and progression against ISO9000 & Contract Quality Schedule.
- Operate and maintain the Project Quality Plans, Project Health & Safety Plans.
- Liaised with Customer’s Quality Representative to address all quality-related queries on the project.
- Collaborated with personnel at all levels, from management to engineers, to ensure project alignment and communication.
- Working on a multi-million pound mobile phone contract, which involved installation of a communications network (SDH & DWDM) throughout the UK.
- NTL and Telewest were the first companies to introduce a residential broadband service and have continued to consistently innovate in the market. Clients include: Orange, O2, 3, T-Mobile, Vodafone, Projects valued at £50K to £48M.
Quality Manager
Interface 2 Ltd
Newhaven
12.1999 - 12.2000
- Managed Company Quality Management System, addressing customer complaints, conducting final inspections and tests, and performing internal audits to ensure compliance and quality standards.
- Oversaw quality assurance within Inspection & Test Department, managing three personnel to uphold quality standards.
- Driving down the Customer Returns rate by 70%.
- Maintained Company Quality approval to BS EN ISO 9001.
- Managed calibration system to maintain precision in equipment standards.
- Reviewing inspection methods/clarifying acceptability standards.
- Liaised with customers and suppliers on quality matters to resolve issues and enhance product reliability.
- The company manufactures wiring looms, PCB assemblies and refurbishment and repair of cash registers. Clients included NCR, Varian Oncology Systems.
Systems Quality Engineer
Varian Oncology Systems
01.1998 - 12.1999
- Attained medical device accreditation for manufactured medical equipment, produced reliability plans, and conducted reliability testing and product investigations both in-house and on customer’s premises across the UK and Europe.
- Developed Reliability Quality Plans while collaborating with internal and external customers to align on requirements.
- Documented qualification tests and executed testing procedures to ensure compliance.
- Performed QA project responsibilities within specific projects.
- Coordinated medical equipment approvals and external assessments.
- Promoting the reliability function as an integral part of the company policy.
Quality Auditor/Project Facilitator
Cogent – Nortel Professional Business Service
Harlow
09.1996 - 12.1997
- Achieved company target by driving down the number of deficiencies recorded by the customer to zero for the last 6 months. Received a Managing Director’s Award.
- Provided Quality Assurance support to enhance Project Quality system.
- Monitored installation standards across multiple sites to ensure compliance.
- Complied and maintained the Quality Audit Schedules for individual installations.
- Collaborated with internal and external customers to review maintainability and reliability issues.
- Coordinated with suppliers and installers for bespoke communication systems, local area networks (LAN), and wide area networks (WAN) to ensure effective implementation.
- Providing reports reflecting progress of the installations throughout the project life cycle.
- Contributed to multi-million MOD contract for installing integrated communications network at UK bases.
Quality Engineer
Vickers Medical
Sidcup
08.1995 - 05.1996
- Supported Quality System through Quality Assurance activities.
- Investigated and resolved quality-related issues to ensure compliance.
- Conducted internal and supplier audits to uphold quality standards.
- Liaising with Executive Health Councils for the National Health Service.
- Supplied and maintained a variety of medical equipment, including incinerators, incubators, anaesthesia machines, hospital trolleys, and defibrillators.
Buyer/Quality Engineer
Protolink Ltd
Great Dunmow
04.1994 - 08.1995
- Purchased components to support production of power supplies and conducted audits of quality management system.
- Collaborated with manufacturers and suppliers to secure timely delivery of power supply components.
- Analyzed supplier contracts to ensure compliance with company standards.
- Negotiated pricing terms with vendors to optimize procurement costs.
- Coordinated inventory management processes to maintain stock levels efficiently.
Quality Improvement Engineer
BT Plc
London
10.1988 - 02.1993
- Monitored the quality levels of procured items, equipment, and services to meet required standards throughout the UK.
- Acquired multi-site experience at Highbury & Islington, Euston Tower, High Holborn, Parker Tower, and Swindon.
- Designed innovative solutions to improve network efficiency and reliability.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to implement engineering projects.
- Analyzed system performance data to identify areas for improvement.
Education
BTEC/HNC - Electronics & Electrical Engineering
Merchant Navy College
Greenhithe, Kent01.1988
'O' Level - 6 subjects including English and Maths
Broad Green College
South Croydon, Surrey01.1985
Skills
- Compliance Auditing
- CAA Approved Form 4 Holder
- Knowledge of Part 66
- Sound knowledge of ATO (TRTO)
- Part 147 & Part 145 Organisations
- Quality Control
- Manage multi-site Training Services
- Multiple-project management
- Scheduling
- Deadline management
- Project troubleshooting
- Problem solving
- Client relations
- SMS
- Security Cleared to Secret Level
Professional Training Courses Education
- Part 145 Applying the Regulation
- Introduction to Part 66 & Part 147
- SMS - Initial Training & Continuation Training
- Airside Awareness Training
- Part 147 Engineer Licensing & Maintenance Training
- Internal Auditor BSI International Training
- Appreciation of AS 9100 Rev C
- Basic Negotiations Skills
- Rules & Regulations Governing a TRTO
- Human Factors, Fuel Tank Safety & EWIS Courses
- General Aviation Security Course
- General Maintenance Manual & Safety Management Courses
- CDM Course
- Step up to Management (CM3), Chartered Management Institute
- Merchant Navy College, Greenhithe, Kent, BTEC/HNC: Electronics & Electrical Engineering, 1985 - 1988
- Broad Green College, South Croydon, Surrey, 'O' Level: 6 subjects including English and Maths., 1980 - 1985
Fund Raising
- Cycled London-Brighton – British Heart Foundation – 3 consecutive years
- Cycled London-Land’s End – Multiple Sclerosis
References
Professional and personal references willingly supplied on request.
Hobbies and Interests
- Badminton (ex - Level 2 Coach)
- Cycling
- Golf
- Rugby
- Motor Sports
- Squash
- Current Affairs
- DIY
- Music
- Computing
- Meeting People
Travel
- Austria
- Belgium
- Falklands
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Holland
- Israel
- Italy
- Spain
- Switzerland
- Maldives
- Malaysia
- Singapore
- New Zealand
- USA
- West Indies
- Saudi Arabia
Personal Information
- Health Status: Excellent health (Diabetic – Type 2)
- Date of Birth: 09/10/68
- Nationality: British
- Driving License: Full Driving Licence
- Marital Status: Married
Timeline
AVS Training Solutions Quality Manager
Thales – Training & Simulation Division
01.2010 - Current
Principle Quality Engineer
Thales – Aerospace Division
01.2007 - 12.2009
Project Manager – Quality
NTL Telewest HQ
01.2001 - 12.2006
Quality Manager
Interface 2 Ltd
12.1999 - 12.2000
Systems Quality Engineer
Varian Oncology Systems
01.1998 - 12.1999
Quality Auditor/Project Facilitator
Cogent – Nortel Professional Business Service
09.1996 - 12.1997
Quality Engineer
Vickers Medical
08.1995 - 05.1996
Buyer/Quality Engineer
Protolink Ltd
04.1994 - 08.1995
Quality Improvement Engineer
BT Plc
10.1988 - 02.1993
BTEC/HNC - Electronics & Electrical Engineering
Merchant Navy College
'O' Level - 6 subjects including English and Maths
Broad Green College