Job DescriptionOn behalf of our client, a renowned automotive manufacturer, we are currently recruiting a Product Quality Manager for their brand-new, state-of-the-art production facility in Dagenham.
Role overview
A key member of the leadership team with responsibility for leading and developing strategic product quality management, ensuring high levels of customer satisfaction are maintained. You will coordinate with internal stakeholders and contribute all quality related activity across new product introduction, R&D and production readiness, ensuring a smooth handover into the manufacturing areas.
Additional Information
- As part of this role, you will be required to interface with the Company’s ERP system (primarily Epicor) & champion the use of data capture, ensuring we have accurate management and financial reporting.
- You will take responsibility for driving and utilising problem-solving techniques (PDCA, 5W/2H, 8D), creating a spirit of route cause analysis and lessons learned within operations and NPI.
- This role requires someone with a clean full UK driving licence.
- Reporting directly to the Operations Director.
Key Activities
- Manage all quality-related issues within the manufacturing area
- Identify root cause and instigate permanent corrective actions for product quality issues
- Work with internal and external stakeholders to resolve quality issues that arise as quickly and efficiently as possible to prevent compromising quality and safety standards
- Ensure control plans and associated documentation are implemented effectively and maintained
- Monitor and report on quality-related key performance indicators including scrap monitoring, rework levels, out of sequence product
- Stop production in the event of manufacture of unacceptable goods/processes, work with the team to resolve quality related issues.
- Ensure compliance and assist with adherence to the Quality Management system (ISO9001)
- Write product test procedures
- Assist with training of product quality awareness
- Report on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to drive improvement in product quality
- Raise quality alerts and disseminate to production teams
- Manage the out of sequence finished product to ensure swift closure of non-conformance
- Liaise with the warranty team to use the warranty data to drive production improvements to stop any reoccurrence of customer issues
- Assist with first off sample approvals
- Participate in cross-functional teams in the development of new products or changes related to current products
- Participate in the development and refinement of Design and Process FMEA’s (Failure Mode and Effects Analysis)
- Participate in the production parts approval process (PPAP) to ensure consistency of part supply
- Lead and conduct product quality audits, driving closure of non-conformance
- Contribute and drive continuous improvement activities related to product quality
- Own and drive route cause of non-conformance caused by line / area errors – eg mishandling of parts; route case (5W2H analysis)
- Plan projects or subtasks so they may be tracked and presented
- Attend various meetings and action/communicate instructions
- Provide guidance to team members across all functions when required
- Support regular inspection meetings with representatives from appropriate departments to establish an action plan for improving build quality
- Communicate efficiently throughout the shop floor and with own and customer’s management
- Responsible for a small team of production operators who conduct the final inspection and sign off finished product.
- Take accountability to ensure your area complies with Health, Safety and Environmental regulations, monitoring and implementing any changes required effectively, suggesting and engaging with improvements.
Essential Attributes
Organised, Conscientious & Motivated
Proactive in allocating and prioritising tasks and activities to ensure the completion of orders to satisfy customer demand, maximize productivity and ensuring daily production targets are achieved
Leadership
Able to lead positively, make decisions and encourage new ways of working to achieve a more efficient process or product area through lean or continuous improvement methodologies (Kaizen workshops / 5 Why analysis etc)
Data Driven
Supports decision-making with data and information to identify route causes and take fast, effective responses.
Essential Qualifications & Experience
- Relevant business/or manufacturing/engineering degree preferred, or BTEC Diploma Level 4 or equivalent NVQ level 4 qualification
- An understanding of ISO 9001
- Exercise substantial initiative/judgement in work methods and interpreting goals
- Work independently and is reviewed infrequently with minimal supervision
- Knowledge of quality systems and measurement
- Strong knowledge of Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP), Production Part Approval Process (PPAP), Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA)
- Understanding of engineering drawings and manufacturing processes
- Assertive, resilient and welcomes change
- Engages interest and participation of others and has a collaborative approach to working with others
- Proactively contributes to the team
- Shows moral courage, openness, and honesty in all dealings
- Planning and prioritising activities
- Good communication and interpersonal skills
- Negotiation skills
- Ability to present data effectively
- Excellent problem-solving skills
- Analytical skills
- Understanding of cost and financial impacts
- A ‘can do’ attitude willing to be hands on as needed
- Product quality management auditing experience is required
- A strong understanding and application of Six Sigma/Lean Manufacturing skills is required
- Experience of dealing with customers and suppliers is essential.
Other Requirements:
- Willingness to travel as required to other company sites, customers, and suppliers, including some international travel if needed.
Desirable Key Skills & Experience
Green or Black belt qualified or other equivalent problem-solving / continuous improvement qualification
- Membership of an industry related professional body would be preferred.
- Experience working in a manufacturing SME environment undergoing a maturity and growth journey would be highly advantageous.
Experience in an automotive industry setting preferred.