Position Details:
Position Purpose:
Strategic and tactical responsibility for implementing Quality strategy and strategic operational goals to exceed customer expectations for product quality, cost, and delivery, optimizing production quality levels and supporting operational excellence. Work closely with internal and external key stakeholders, manufacturing, and customers regarding technical support of their activities.
Primary Position Responsibilities:
Description:
Strategy and Development
· Overall responsibility for Quality activities across the business
· Create and implement best practice quality vision, strategy, policies, processes and procedures to aid and improve business performance
· Ensure that quality strategies and processes are in place to meet business objectives and operational need in terms of price, quality and delivery targets and which enables the company to function and compete effectively in the market and in a sustained manner
· Evaluate the challenges faced by the business and take action to mitigate risks and develop opportunities
· Contribute to overall business strategy and annual budget process
General and Task Management
· Lead and manage the quality function from new product conception through to warranty analysis to ensure a proactive culture so that customers receive the product to the highest standard of quality possible
· Drive any necessary culture change and improvement in business performance to deliver strategic goals
· Establish quality and reliability standards by studying industry benchmarks and the requirements of customers and research/design and development, and define the metrics required to assess performance against standards required
· Actively lead the reduction of Customer PPMs (Parts Per Million),
· Warranty, Cost of Quality and in-house scrap and waste
· Implement new quality processes and systems where appropriate
· Assist in continuous improvement activities throughout the business ensuring that problems are prevented and that customer requirements are met with any problems resolved effectively and economically
· Work to prevent non-conformances, customer complaints, concession and rework alongside Manufacturing/ Engineering and Operations to develop corrective and preventative actions within required timeframe
· Develop the Quality Management System, updating procedures and train team members where required
· Maintain procedures and processes to TS16949, ensuring companywide compliance to UK, legal and customer specifications and standards
· Ensure effective internal and external audits happen as well as assessment and audit of subcontractors to minimize non-value added
· Ensure that corrective actions are delivered and non-compliance issues are resolved on time
· Develop improvement and communication protocol within all systems and processes across the business
· Review all new potential business for feasibility and profitability, and any
· SDS (System Design Specification) project management milestone reviews to ensure successful on quality, cost and timing
· Support project management to cross functional activity required for project execution
· Report on Quality activities on a regular basis to the Senior Management team, ensuring accurate and timely reporting of the relevant Key Performance Indicators
· Drive and develop Environmental, Health and Safety processes and procedures within the organization implementing a behavioral approach to safety and a zero-tolerance culture
· Ensure that Environmental, Health and Safety, and quality standards and procedures are adhered to
People Management
· Provide leadership to departments under their control and coach, mentor and develop direct reports and manage a high performing team that delivers continuous improvement, added value and cost reductions
· Set department objectives and monitor ongoing progress and performance in a timely manner
· Ensure strong communication between teams under leadership to facilitate exchange of information and in order to implement change and improvements Ensure that the function operates in accordance with any health, safety and environmental policies and procedures to ensure the safety and wellbeing of staff and visitors and any other organizational and ethical requirements
· Responsible for developing the appropriate organizational structure, resource plans and culture to support the business objectives and customer deliverables
· Knows and develops the team
· Provide leadership, coordination and coaching to the team, ensuring they are trained enabling them to achieve the operational and financial metrics within their areas of responsibility and succeed in their roles
· Complete regular performance reviews, and manage any other people issues in conjunction with HR
· Performing other duties when needed
Decision Making Authority:
· Initiates any activity allowed by Management.
Position Specifications:
Qualifications:
· Educated to degree level (preferably Masters) in a relevant commercial or engineering discipline or equivalent NVQ Level 7 qualification.
Experience Required:
Experience required by this position:
· 3-5 years of experience in Quality Assurance/Quality Management
· A working knowledge of HACCP, GMP & ISO 22000.
· Must have proven ability to lead a diverse team of technicians
Competencies:
The following generic competencies and behavioral characteristics are essential for successful performance:
· Appropriate qualification in quality management
· Considerable and diverse demonstrable experience of leading a quality function with a proven track record in strategic quality leadership delivering effective quality strategies, policies, processes, and systems
· Ability to add value, reduce costs and make business improvements
· Proven project management and quality experience
· Experience of operating and influencing at a strategic level
· Knowledge and technical understanding of automotive processes, components and manufacturing techniques