Head of Quality Assurance

Role Overview
Propel Industries, a leader in crushing and mining equipment, is seeking an experienced Head – Quality to drive the entire Quality function. This role spans Incoming Quality, In-Process Quality (including Welding & Painting QA), Supplier Quality Assurance (SQA), Electrical & Electronics QA, Customer Quality, and Project Quality Assurance (including erection & commissioning). The position requires strong leadership, technical expertise, and the ability to establish world-class systems that align with global benchmarks.
Key Responsibilities
Quality Leadership & Strategy
- Define and execute the company-wide Quality roadmap aligned with business goals.
- Build and sustain robust Quality Management Systems (QMS) and ISO standards.
- Create a culture of first-time-right, zero-defect across the organization.
- Mentor, coach, and build a high-performing Quality team.
Incoming Quality
- Establish inspection/testing for raw materials, castings, forgings, weldments, fabricated structures, paints, electrical & electronic components.
- Ensure supplier quality requirements, acceptance standards, and traceability.
- Prevent defects from entering production through robust gatekeeping.
In-Process Quality
- Implement process audits, Poka-Yoke, SPC, MSA, and FMEA for robust controls.
- Drive Welding QA – WPS, PQR, welder qualifications, weld inspections, NDT checks.
- Drive Painting QA – paint material qualification, DFT checks, surface preparation, adhesion, corrosion protection tests.
- Ensure QA of Electrical & Electronic items – cables, motors, sensors, control panels, PLCs, drives, and wiring harnesses.
- Foster a First-Time-Right and defect prevention culture on shopfloor.
Supplier Quality Assurance (SQA)
- Develop and qualify suppliers through audits and technical capability assessments.
- Monitor supplier performance with scorecards and drive continuous improvement.
- Ensure supplier adherence for welding consumables, paints, electrical & electronic parts.
Customer Quality
- Be the single point of accountability for all customer quality issues.
- Drive swift resolution of complaints, warranty claims, and field failures.
- Ensure RCA & CAPA effectiveness and integrate feedback into product improvements.
- Act as the customer advocate for quality in all forums.
Project Quality Assurance (Including Erection & Commissioning)
- Define QA plans for new product launches, prototypes, and turnkey projects.
- Ensure compliance to quality deliverables during manufacturing, erection, and commissioning at customer sites.
- Establish protocols for installation checks, pre-commissioning tests, and performance validation.
- Collaborate with Project, Service, Electrical, and Mechanical teams for smooth site execution and handover.
- Maintain documentation, inspection records, and audit trails for project QA.
Continuous Improvement & Compliance
- Lead initiatives in Six Sigma, Lean, and Kaizen.
- Ensure compliance with statutory, environmental, and safety standards.
- Benchmark with global leaders in mining & crushing equipment and bring best practices.
Key Skills & Competencies
- Mastery in APQP, PPAP, FMEA, 8D, RCA, CAPA, SPC, MSA.
- Strong technical background in Welding QA, Painting QA, Electrical & Electronics QA.
- Experience in heavy engineering, capital goods, mining & crushing equipment.
- Leadership in cross-functional team development and stakeholder management.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving capability.
Qualifications & Experience
- B.E./B.Tech – Mechanical / Production / Metallurgy / Electrical.
- 20+ years of Quality experience with 5+ years in a senior leadership role.
- Proven background in crushing, mining equipment, or heavy engineering machinery.
- Six Sigma / Quality Management certifications preferred.

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