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.