The Role
Leads the quality strategy and Quality Management System for a Tier 1 automotive manufacturing plant producing Class A parts. Manages quality personnel, audits, customer and supplier quality, corrective actions, process controls, APQP and PPAP activities, and continuous improvement initiatives. The role drives compliance with ISO, IATF, and VDA standards, reduces defects and customer claims, monitors quality KPIs, supports multi-shift operations, and serves as the primary quality contact for customers, suppliers, and certification bodies.
Summary Generated by Built In
About usLAEPPLE Automotive is a leading supplier in the automotive industry, specializing in high-quality components and systems for body components manufacturing. Our innovative technologies and efficient production processes set benchmarks in the industry. We are seeking a results-oriented Quality Manager responsible for leading, developing, and executing LAEPPLE’s quality strategy within a Class A manufacturing environment. The Quality Manager is responsible for leading the Quality Management System (QMS) and ensuring compliance with customer, regulatory, and industry quality standards within a Tier 1 Automotive manufacturing environment producing Class A parts. This role drives continuous improvement initiatives, customer satisfaction, defect prevention, and operational excellence through effective management of quality systems, audits, supplier quality, customer quality, and manufacturing process controls. The Quality Manager serves as the primary quality representative for customers, suppliers, and certification bodies while fostering a culture of quality through the organization. The ideal candidate combines strong technical expertise with leadership, process discipline, and a collaborative mindset.
Key Responsibilities:
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead, mentor and develop team of Quality Engineers, Quality Technicians, and associated staff.
- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Develop, maintain, and implement LAEPPLE’s Quality Management System (QMS) in alignment with ISO 9001, IATF 16949, and VDA standards.
- Lead internal, external, customer, and certification audits.
- Ensure corrective and preventive actions are implemented and sustained.
- Manage document control, procedures, work instructions, and quality records.
- Serve as primary customer contact for quality-related concerns and performance metrics.
- Lead customer complaint investigations using structured problem-solving methodologies (8D, 5-Why, Fishbone/Ishikawa, Fault Tree Analysis, etc.).
- Coordinate containment, corrective actions, and customer communications.
- Support customer audits and launch readiness reviews.
- Monitor customer scorecards and drive improvement initiatives to meet or exceed performance targets.
- Develop and maintain process control plans and inspection strategies.
- Ensure implementation of APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, Control Plans, MSA, SPC, etc.
- Monitor manufacturing processes for compliance and effectiveness.
- Lead layered process audits and product audits.
- Drive reduction of scrap, rework, customer claims, and customer disruptions.
- Partner with suppliers to ensure compliance with quality standards and customer requirements.
- Support supplier qualification, development, and corrective action activities.
- Review supplier performance metrics and lead supplier improvement initiatives.
- Participate in supplier audits and escalation activities as necessary.
- Lead quality improvement projects utilizing Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and Root Cause Analysis.
- Establish and track key quality performance indicators.
- Drive cost reduction through defect prevention and process improvement.
- Establish departmental goals aligned with plant and corporate objectives.
- Conduct performance evaluations and support employee development plans.
- Promote cross-functional collaboration with Operations, Engineering, Program Management, Supply Chain, etc.
- Participate in plant operational excellence initiatives and cost-reduction programs.
- Desire to work in a team-based, lean manufacturing environment.
- Adhere to all procedures, regulatory requirements, and department/company policies.
- Other duties and tasks as assigned.
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality, Operations Management, or a related technical discipline.
- 7+ years of Quality experience in automotive manufacturing.
- 3+ years of leadership or management experience.
- Quality Management certification strongly preferred (CMQ/OE, CQE, CSQP, etc.).
- Previous experience within an automotive Tier 1 manufacturing environment, supporting major OEM customers.
- Lead Auditor Certification (ISO9001, IATF, VDA) with working knowledge strongly preferred.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
- Excellent communication, collaboration, and leadership skills.
- Ability to develop strong positive relationships with suppliers, customers, and work teams to ensure quick response to requests.
- Detail oriented with strong organizational skills.
- Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
- Collaborative mindset with cross-functional teams.
- Strategic thinking abilities.
- Self-motivated with a results-driven approach.
- High level of integrity and ethical standards.
- Knowledge of industry standards and regulations.
- Ability to interpret technical drawings and specifications.
- Working knowledge of Quality Systems and Core Tools (IATF, ISO, AIAG, VDA, CSR, APQP, etc.)
- Ability and willingness to travel and work any shift as may be required to meet business objectives.
- Manufacturing plant environment with regular presence on production floor.
- Requires flexibility to support multi-shift operations and customer demands typical of an automotive OEM supplier.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality, Operations Management, or a related technical discipline
- 7+ years of quality experience in automotive manufacturing
- 3+ years of leadership or management experience
- Experience in a Tier 1 automotive manufacturing environment supporting major OEM customers
- Quality Management certification such as CMQ/OE, CQE, or CSQP
- Lead Auditor Certification for ISO 9001, IATF, or VDA
- Working knowledge of IATF, ISO, AIAG, VDA, customer-specific requirements, and automotive Core Tools including APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, Control Plans, MSA, and SPC
- Ability to interpret technical drawings and specifications
- Ability and willingness to travel and work any shift as required
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The Company
What We Do
LAEPPLE AUTOMOTIVE US, Inc. is a leading provider of sophisticated forming solutions for premium vehicle car body assembly, specializing in sheet metal part forming and assembly manufacturing.
