The Quality manager will be responsible for leader the manufacturing quality initiatives and standards across the facility. This position will be customer facing to address and resolve all product quality issues and driving the performance of the quality management team in the plant. The manager will drive a KPI focused environment, change management, and leadership and development of the quality team. The Quality Manager leads, directs and mentors the facility quality team which includes Quality Engineers, Technicians, and the Metrology and Metallurgy laboratory.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Understand and represent customer requirements and specifications, assuring capable and controlled processes and systems to achieve product quality and business targets;
2. Establish and monitor internal and external customer satisfaction metrics, driving programs for system upgrades and improvement;
3. Recommend and implement methods for continuous improvement in product and process quality, cost of quality, warranty, and supplier performance;
4. Lead and support the attainment of site budgets and objectives relating to Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Cost;
5. Drive roadmap actions towards "green" status in customer scorecards and OEM system audits;
6. Lead and coach problem solving and corrective actions; and manage customer escalation actions with clearly defined exit criteria and progress reviews;
7. Lead and support the successful execution of the Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) process - new product launches, change management initiatives, and process improvements;
8. Evaluate, enhance, and maintain product safety management procedures throughout the value chain;
9. Coach the adoption and utilization of First Time Through (FTT), Risk Priority Reduction (RPN), Process Capability, Control, and other Statistical methods to enhance and improve processes proactively;
10. Develop and implement effective Statistical Process Control (SPC) programs where appropriate;
11. Drive disciplined actions plans, ensuring reduced Cost of Quality, including cost of poor quality associated with rework, containment, customer chargebacks, expedites, etc.;
12. Facilitate rigorous operating system management reviews with data and actions from audits (internal and external audits including LPA's and customer audits), KPI's, and customer scorecards;
13. Ensure engineering deviation and change management processes are effective, including assurance on the use of authorized approvals, deviation control plans, lot identification and traceability, verification of non-standard process control, root cause analysis, expiry/exit of deviation time period or quantities and closure;
14. Drive supplier management procedures to align supplier quality performance to business and customer expectations;
15. Aggressively implement full step procedures to address supplier non-conformance to performance targets including effective and timely supplier containment and corrective actions for the issued Defective Material Notices from start to closure;
16. Confirm supplier changes and introductions follow disciplined supplier launch procedures and assure effective pre-award, technical review, process sign-off, assembly trials, and effective PPAP reviews (including launch containment, shipment lot identification, trial runs, and packaging evaluations);
17. Manage annual supplier PPAP submissions and reviews;
18. Ensure effective recovery of costs relating to supplier caused non-conformances and consequences;
19. Identify, develop, and deliver relevant quality-related training including problem solving, project management, and other relevant AIAG, VDA, and technical topics;
20. Provide leadership to site teams to obtain and maintain IATF, TS, and ISO certifications;
21. Coach and manage departmental talent, ensuring compliance with HR policies and procedures;
22. Travel to customer and supplier locations to build and enhance relationships, facilitating effective business partnerships and issue resolution.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

1. Bachelor's Degree required; Engineering degree highly preferred
2. Must have automotive plant quality experience driving performance, KPIs, and change management
3. 3-5 years of management experience leading teams in plant quality setting
4. 10 years of experience in manufacturing engineering and quality within automotive
5. Tier 1 automotive supplier experience
6. ASQ, CQE, or CQM certification a plus;
7. Certified Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt a plus;
8. Experience obtaining and maintaining company and customer required quality certifications (i.e. IATF, ISO, Q1);
9. Familiarity with Automotive OEM quality requirements (experience with FCA and Ford a plus);
10. Experience working within automotive component stamping, welding, and paint manufacturing environment strongly preferred;

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

1. Solid knowledge of quality systems including 8D, MSA, Automotive APQP, PPAP;
2. Ability to read and interpret prints, knowledge of GD&T, gage design and function, management of metrology and metallurgy laboratory;
3. Demonstrated experience with non-quality cost reduction - scrap, rework, sorting, etc.
4. Experience with SAP preferred
5. High level of analytical ability to assess and identify appropriate alternative course of action for definition and resolution of issues, with a demonstrated ability to investigate quality problems, applying sound technical knowledge to conduct root cause analysis and implement corrective actions;
6. Ability to exercise independent judgment;
7. Excellent verbal and written communication skills;
8. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Powerpoint);
9. Demonstrated high level of interpersonal skills to effectively lead, motivate, and facilitate in group settings;
10. Comfortable managing multiple tasks and competing priorities;
11. Team oriented and familiar with Lean Manufacturing principles;
12. Willingness to travel, valid driver's license and passport required.
13. The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences
14. The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand
15. The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE POSITION

1. Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus
2. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to handle, manipulate, or feel objects, tools or controls, reach with hands and arms, climb stairs, talk and hear
3. Employee must occasionally lift or move up to 50 pounds
4. While performing the duties of the job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time
5. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate
6. The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences
7. The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand
8. The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.