Key Responsibilities
1. Quality Management System (IATF 16949)
- Act as Management Representative for the IATF 16949 QMS.
- Establish, implement, and maintain the QMS in compliance with IATF 16949, ISO 9001, and applicable customer-specific requirements (CSRs).
- Ensure QMS processes are integrated into daily manufacturing operations.
- Lead QMS documentation control: Quality Manual, procedures, work instructions, forms, and records.
- Plan and support IATF certification, surveillance, and recertification audits.
2. Customer & Regulatory Compliance
- Ensure compliance with automotive standards, drawings, specifications, and regulatory requirements.
- Manage customer audits, assessments, and corrective action responses.
- Act as the primary quality interface with customers and certification bodies.
- Review and approve PPAP submissions, IMDS (if applicable), and customer quality documentation.
3. Product & Process Quality Assurance
- Ensure implementation and maintenance of APQP, PFMEA, Control Plans, PPAP, MSA, SPC for brake pipes, fuel pipes, and hose assemblies.
- Approve tube forming, CNC bending, end forming (flaring, beading), hose crimping, and assembly processes from a quality perspective.
- Ensure validation of special characteristics related to braking and fuel systems.
- Monitor dimensional accuracy (OD, wall thickness, bending radius), surface condition, coating quality, and assembly integrity.
- Ensure conformity of brake pipes, fuel lines, and hoses to drawings, customer standards, and safety requirements.
4. Internal & External Audits
- Plan, conduct, and manage internal audits (system, process, and product audits).
- Ensure audit findings are analyzed, corrected, and verified for effectiveness.
- Coordinate and support external audits (IATF, customer, regulatory).
5. Nonconformance & Corrective Actions
- Lead root cause analysis using structured problem-solving tools (8D, 5 Why, Fishbone).
- Ensure timely and effective corrective and preventive actions.
- Monitor effectiveness of actions and prevent recurrence.
6. Supplier Quality Management
- Approve and monitor suppliers of steel tubes, coated tubes, rubber hoses, fittings, plating services, and packaging materials.
- Ensure supplier compliance with IATF 16949, ISO 9001, and customer-specific requirements.
- Lead supplier audits, evaluations, and corrective actions.
- Control incoming inspection for tubes (OD, WT, mechanical properties), hoses (ID, reinforcement, burst pressure), and fittings.
- Monitor supplier PPM, delivery performance, and corrective action effectiveness.
7. Measurement, Testing & Calibration
- Ensure availability and control of inspection, measuring, and test equipment for pipes and hoses.
- Oversee calibration system in compliance with IATF 16949.
- Ensure validation of special processes and tests including:
- Hydraulic pressure and burst testing
- Leak testing
- Dimensional inspection of bends and end forms
- Coating thickness and corrosion resistance testing
- Approve MSA studies for critical measurements.
8. Risk Management & Continuous Improvement
- Promote risk-based thinking across processes.
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives to reduce defects, variation, and waste.
- Analyze quality KPIs and present performance reports to top management.
- Support Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma initiatives (where applicable).
9. Training & Quality Culture
- Identify quality-related training needs and ensure competence of personnel.
- Train employees on quality procedures, inspection methods, and customer requirements.
- Promote a strong quality culture and awareness at all levels of the factory.
10. Management Review
- Prepare and present quality performance data for Management Review meetings.
- Ensure actions from Management Reviews are implemented and tracked.
Authority
- Authority to stop production or shipment in case of quality risk.
- Authority to approve or reject products, processes, and suppliers from a quality perspective.
- Authority to initiate corrective and preventive actions.
Qualifications & Experience
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Industrial, or related field).
Experience
- Minimum 5 years experience in automotive manufacturing.
- At least 2 years in a Quality Manager or Senior Quality role.
- Hands-on experience with IATF 16949 implementation and certification.
- Hands-on experience in automotive brake pipes, fuel lines, hydraulic hoses, rubber hose assemblies, or tube forming operations is highly preferred.
