Senior Quality Assurance Associate

Overall Purpose of the Role :

Responsible for ensuring that the products produced meet quality standards required to

minimize quality costs and maximize customer satisfaction whilst ensuring that procedures

and processes are adhered to. Ensure incoming materials meet required quality standards.

Responsible for identifying and raising quality issues and for speedily resolving them to ensure

zero impact to the customer. Support new product introductions to ensure the robustness of

product builds. Work in a team environment to develop and implement best practices that

emphasize defect prevention, reduction in variation and waste and provide for continuous

improvements in meeting all customer requirements. Manage the customer specific

requirements and offer technical support. Responsible for multiple highly complex major

projects requiring innovative original solutions where results are key to successful completion

of major projects. Work mostly independently with minimal supervision and work is reviewed

at project milestones and/or on completion by Senior Management.

Key Responsibilities : General and Task Management

● Manage all quality-related issues within the manufacturing team (e.g. internal, supplier,

customer and customer warranty)

● Identify root cause and instigate permanent corrective actions for product quality

issues

● Work with internal and external stakeholders to resolve quality issues that arise as

quickly and efficiently as possible to prevent compromising quality and safety

standards

● Carry out product and process auditing

● Ensure control plans and associated documentation are implemented effectively and

maintained

● Monitor and report on quality-related key performance indicators including scrap

monitoring, rework levels, parts per million (PPM) figures

● Stop production in the event of manufacture of unacceptable goods/processes

● Ensure compliance and assist with adherence to the Quality Management system (ISO9001)

● Write product test procedures

● Undertake special projects as required

● Assist with training of quality awareness

● Report on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in order to adhere to process and prevent

occurrence of any non-conformity relating to product, process or system

● Assist with first off sample approvals

● Promote the use of customer preferred techniques for continuous improvement such as Six Sigma, Poka-Yoke (Error Proofing) etc.

● Participate in cross-functional teams in the development of new products or changes

related to current products in meeting customer requirements

● Participate in the development and refinement of Design and Process FMEA’s (Failure

Mode and Effects Analysis)

● Manage the Supplier Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

● Manage and coordinate customer PPM (Parts per Million), supplier PPM, supplier

problem solving on time, cost recovery and supplier warranty indicators

● Lead quality audits

● Keep up with current and developing manufacturing and engineering trends that

concern product quality

● Undertake special projects as required

● Contribute to continuous improvement activities

● Quality control of work by appropriate reviews

● Support and lead process improvement activities

● Write reports and present progress at project meetings and to stakeholders

● Achieve goals within budget

● Conduct benchmarking studies to determine best practices/designs and future trends

● Plan projects or subtasks so they may be tracked and presented

● Attend various meetings and action/communicate instructions

● Produce written reports and make presentations

● Undertake continuous training and development

● Perform root cause analysis and resolve problems

● Independently determine approach and assigned tasks

Skills & Attributes :

● Exercise substantial initiative/judgment in work methods and interpreting goals

● Work independently and is reviewed infrequently with minimal supervision

● Self-supervising within the guidance and expectations of divisional management

● Knowledge of quality systems and measurement

● Strong knowledge of Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP), Production Part

Approval Process (PPAP), Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA)

● Lean Manufacturing knowledge

● Knowledge of ISO9001 & understanding of ISO14001 and Health and Safety practices

● Understanding of engineering drawings and manufacturing processes

● Ability to work in a diverse and dynamic environment

● Planning and prioritizing activities

● Good communication and interpersonal skills

● Negotiation skills

● Ability to present data effectively

● Problem-solving skills

● Team working skills

● Analytical skills

● Understanding of cost and financial impacts

Qualification and experience :

● Btech manufacturing/engineering degree preferred with minimum 2 years experience

● Previous experience in a high volume manufacturing environment, preferably automotive.

● Experience of working in Quality Assurance Six Sigma/Lean Manufacturing skills

● Experience of dealing with customers and suppliers