JOB PURPOSE

Lead and manage the quality assurance function across the assigned cluster, ensuring that the right quality of products is consistently manufactured to meet customer requirements. Drive customer satisfaction by resolving quality issues and fostering continuous improvement at all manufacturing plants within the cluster. Provide guidance to Plant Quality Heads to achieve uniformity and excellence in quality processes and outcomes.

This role ensures product quality consistency, impacting customer satisfaction, warranty claims, and overall cluster efficiency. Metrics for success include improved customer quality ratings and reduced defect rates.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

1. Customer Quality Assurance

Lead efforts to resolve customer complaints by ensuring the root cause is identified and corrective actions are implemented across all plants in the cluster.
Monitor and improve customer satisfaction metrics, including rejection PPM (internal and external), and warranty claim reduction.
Act as the primary liaison between customers and cluster quality teams to align on quality standards, manage expectations, and address escalations promptly.
Ensure consistent communication and reporting of quality metrics and improvement initiatives to customers and corporate quality teams.

2.Product Quality Assurance

Ensure all manufacturing plants within the cluster adhere to defined product quality standards and processes.
Oversee quality audits conducted by plant teams to ensure compliance with customer and regulatory requirements.
Regularly review quality performance metrics with Plant Quality Heads, identify gaps, and define improvement actions.
Drive standardization of quality processes and best practices across the cluster to maintain uniformity in quality outputs

3.Quality Management System

Implement Varroc Quality Management System in all Plants in the Cluster
Monitor review activities to sustain certification requirements of the customers, including self-audits and audits by customers. Facilitate certification by external third-party agencies such as IATF through yearly plant surveillance audits
Coordinate observations from all plant audits through Plant Quality Head and Plant Head for reporting and submission to the customer
Ensure that Product / process change follow established process

4.Guidance to Plant Quality Heads

Provide strategic direction and operational support to Plant Quality Heads, ensuring alignment with cluster-level quality goals.
Establish clear quality-related expectations and review the performance of Plant Quality Heads through regular assessments and feedback sessions.
Act as a bridge between Plant Quality Heads and the Regional Quality to address escalations and implement cluster-wide quality improvement initiatives.
Facilitate collaboration among Plant Quality Heads to share best practices and address common challenges.

5.Continuous Improvement in Quality

Lead initiatives to drive continuous improvement in product quality, focusing on reducing internal and external defects.
Oversee the implementation of corrective and preventive actions for recurring quality issues.
Promote a culture of quality and accountability by fostering ownership of quality metrics at all levels within the cluster.

6.Team Development and Management

Recruit, mentor, and manage a high-performing MP&L team across the cluster.
Conduct regular performance reviews and identify skill development opportunities for team members.
Foster a culture of continuous improvement and accountability

QUALIFICATION

Minimum Qualification required: BE / B.Tech (Electrical/Electronic Preferred)
Preferred Qualification: ME / M.Tech / MBA in addition to the above qualification

WORK EXPERIENCE

Minimum 15 years of experience in Quality Management, with a strong focus on Customer Quality Assurance.
Strong Exposure to Manufacturing Quality in terms of understanding the Components (Automotive Electrical / EV / Electronics Preferred) & its Manufacturing Processes (SMT - Mandatory)
Experience in handling Automotive OEM's (2W OEM Customers preferred)
Proven track record in managing quality teams and quality processes in an automotive industry
Expertise in core quality tools (APQP, FMEA, SPC, QMS) and customer engagement.

REPORTING -

The position reports administratively to the Manufacturing Cluster Head & Functionally to the Head - Quality & EHS
The position has a Team of 5 members reporting directly to it

6 DAYS WORKING WEEK -

The position requires the incumbent to work from the Manufacturing Cluster for 6 days / week

RELOCATION

Outstation Candidates will have to RE-LOCATE to PUNE and will be eligible to avail benefits under the Relocation Policy.

Head Quality - Cluster (Manufacturing Cluster - Pune)