Head of Quality Assurance

Company Overview-

Padmini VNA Mechatronics

Padmini VNA partners with top global OEMs such as Hyundai, BMW, Toyota, Ford, and Renault Nissan, and has over 100 patents to its name. The company is committed to the Make in India initiative and continues to expand its footprint across Europe, Japan, and the USA. Known for its employee-centric culture, Padmini VNA promotes flexible work models, health and wellness programs, and continuous professional development.

Job Objectives:

Role & responsibility-

• Develop and execute a comprehensive Quality Strategy aligned with the company's long-term business goals and Vision, Mission, and Values (VMV).
• Establish and monitor Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for Quality, such as PPM, Process QA parameters, Audit Scores, Customer Claims, Compliance Metrics, and Project Timelines, to ensure continuous improvement.
• Drive a culture of quality excellence by embedding Quality Management System principles into daily operations and fostering a mindset of continuous improvement across the organization.
• Oversee the successful implementation of internal and external audit plans, ensuring timely closure of non-conformities and adherence to audit norms and business requirements.
• Champion root cause analysis and problem-solving methodologies to address customer complaints effectively, ensuring customer delight and improved Customer Satisfaction Scores (CSS).
• Ensure compliance with global quality standards and certifications (e.g., IATF 16949, ISO 9001) and maintain zero non-compliance while pursuing new certifications as needed.
• Collaborate with the C-Suite and senior leadership to align quality initiatives with business strategies, acting as a strategic advisor on quality-related matters.
• Develop and implement robust process control measures, including Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Quality Control (QC) tools, and advanced problem-solving techniques to eliminate occurrences and recurrences of non-conformities.
• Drive innovation in quality processes by leveraging technology, data analytics, and automation to enhance efficiency and effectiveness in quality management.
• Monitor and analyze quality-related costs, such as Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ) and Cost of Customer Claims, and implement measures to reduce these costs while improving product and process quality.
• Benchmark against industry best practices and competitors to identify opportunities for improvement and maintain a competitive edge in quality performance.
• Ensure timely and accurate reporting of quality metrics to the leadership team, providing insights and recommendations for strategic decision-making.
• Promote sustainability initiatives by integrating environmental and social responsibility into quality management practices.
• Act as the primary point of contact for customer audits, ensuring successful outcomes and building long-term customer trust and satisfaction.
• Foster a proactive approach to risk management by identifying potential quality risks and implementing mitigation strategies to safeguard the organization's reputation and profitability.

Skills:

• Strong leadership and team management skills with a focus on driving customer-centric quality initiatives.
• In-depth knowledge of automotive quality standards (e.g., IATF 16949, ISO 9001) and customer-specific requirements (e.g., OEMs).
• Expertise in quality tools and methodologies (e.g., APQP, PPAP, FMEA, SPC, 8D, 5 Whys).
• Excellent problem-solving and root cause analysis skills to address customer complaints effectively.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to build and maintain relationships with customers and internal stakeholders.
• Analytical mindset with the ability to interpret data and drive data-driven decision-making.
• Proficient in risk management and process improvement methodologies (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma).

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Automotive, or related field). A Master's degree is a plus.
• Minimum of 15 years of experience in quality management, with at least 8 years in a leadership role within the automotive or manufacturing industry.
• Strong understanding of automotive industry standards and customer-specific requirements (e.g., OEMs).