DGM Product Quality

Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation; Krishnagiri District; On-site; INR 4,500,000 - 7,500,000; Full time

Job summary

Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation in India is seeking a Manufacturing Quality Leader to own end-to-end quality performance across production lines. You will drive PFMEA adherence, quality standards, and continuous improvement initiatives to reduce defects and rework.

The role requires 15–20+ years in manufacturing quality, with 5–8 years in leadership, and a mechanical engineering background. Strong knowledge of quality systems and audits is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or equivalent.
• Six Sigma / quality certifications preferred.
• 15–20+ years of experience in manufacturing / process quality.
• 5–8 years in leadership roles managing manufacturing quality teams.
• Strong experience in process quality systems, audits, and shop-floor quality.

Responsibilities

• Manufacturing Quality Strategy & Leadership: Define and drive quality strategy aligned with plant performance and goals.
• Process Quality & Operational Excellence: Drive PFMEA, control plans, and work instructions across operations.
• Non-Conformance & Defect Prevention: Establish identification, containment, and elimination of internal defects; drive RCA.
• Quality Systems, Audits & Compliance: Ensure adherence to WMS, IMS, IRIS and audit readiness.
• Inspection, Testing & Product Release Governance: Ensure testing systems and product release governance; prevent non-conforming product.

Skills

Quality Leadership

Process Quality

Lean Six Sigma

Shop Floor Management

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering

Six Sigma / Quality certifications – Preferred

Job description

Job Description:

Job Description

Key missions of the position:

• Own end-to-end manufacturing quality performance across all production lines
• Drive adherence to process controls, PFMEA, and quality standards
• Strengthen quality systems (WMS, IMS, IRIS) across shop-floor operations
• Build a strong quality culture focused on defect prevention and process discipline
• Drive continuous improvement to reduce internal defects and rework

Measurement

Q: Process quality, product conformity, and audit compliance
C: Cost of poor quality (COPQ), rework, and scrap
D: Production flow stability and defect resolution timelines

• Internal defect rate and rework levels
• First-time-right (FTR) and process capability metrics
• COPQ (scrap, rework, internal failures)
• Audit compliance (process, product, system audits)
• Quality wall clearance and process adherence
• Reduction in recurring internal failures

Responsibilities

Main responsibilities:

Manufacturing Quality Strategy & Leadership

• Define and drive manufacturing quality strategy aligned with plant performance and operational goals
• Establish governance frameworks, KPIs, and structured review mechanisms
• Ensure standardization of quality practices across all production lines
• Align manufacturing quality objectives with productivity, delivery, and operational excellence

Process Quality & Operational Excellence

• Drive adherence to PFMEA, control plans, and work instructions across all operations
• Ensure robustness of manufacturing processes through process capability improvement
• Strengthen defect prevention systems and process discipline on the shop floor
• Ensure effective implementation of product and process changes (ECO / DRC)

Non-Conformance & Defect Prevention

• Establish systems for identification, containment, and elimination of internal defects
• Drive structured root cause analysis (RCA) and long-term corrective actions
• Monitor recurring defects and implement systemic preventive measures
• Ensure zero-defect flow across manufacturing through strong control mechanisms

Quality Systems, Audits & Compliance

• Ensure adherence to WMS, IMS, IRIS, and organizational quality standards
• Lead internal audits, process audits, and product audits with full compliance
• Ensure audit readiness and closure of audit findings within defined timelines
• Drive standardization, documentation discipline, and traceability across operations

Inspection, Testing & Product Release Governance

• Ensure effectiveness of inspection and testing systems across production
• Govern FAI, PDI, quality wall, and product release processes
• Ensure no non-conforming product moves to subsequent stages
• Strengthen validation systems to ensure product conformity

Cross-Functional Integration

• Partner with manufacturing, engineering, PPC, and SCM teams for process alignment
• Ensure quality is embedded into production planning and execution
• Drive resolution of cross-functional issues impacting product quality
• Support operational teams in achieving production and quality targets

Performance Management & Continuous Improvement

• Own manufacturing quality KPIs and drive structured performance reviews
• Lead improvement initiatives such as Kaizen, Lean, and Six Sigma projects
• Drive reduction in COPQ through systematic process improvements
• Promote continuous improvement culture across shop-floor operations

People Leadership & Capability Development

• Lead and develop manufacturing quality organization including Managers, DMs, and Engineers

• Build strong capability in process quality, audits, and problem-solving methods
• Drive performance management, succession planning, and team development
• Foster ownership, accountability, and quality discipline across teams
• Enable cross-functional understanding of quality practices in operations

Authority & Governance

• Exercise authority to stop production in case of major process or quality risks
• Ensure strict adherence to quality gates and process controls
• Act as escalation authority for critical manufacturing quality issues
• Drive governance for product release, deviation approvals, and process compliance

People Management: YES ¨ NO ¨

If People Management, how many employees are managed? No

Number of people: 6-7

Budget Management: YES ¨ NO ¨

NO

Required Candidate Profile

Education/Training

§ Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering

§ Six Sigma / Quality certifications – Preferred

Professional Experience

§ 15–20+ years of experience in manufacturing / process quality

§ Minimum 5–8 years in leadership roles managing manufacturing quality teams

§ Strong experience in process quality systems, audits, and shop-floor quality

Key Competences (Transversal/Professional)

Competence

Manufacturing / Operation Quality Governance 5

Quality Systems & Audi s 5

Operational & Technical Expertise 5

Strategic, Risk & Compliance Management 5

People / Stakeholders Management 5

Strategic Thinking 5

Languages

• English
• Hindi

Behavioral Skills

• Demonstrates strong ownership of manufacturing quality performance

• Drives accountability and discipline across shop-floor operations
• Strong decision-making capability in high-pressure production environments
• Influences cross-functional teams to align with quality objectives
• Proactive, prevention-focused mindset for defect reduction
• Champions continuous improvement and operational excellence

Additional Information

What could you accomplish in a place that puts People First?

At Wabtec, it’s not just about a job - it’s about the impact you make. When our people come together, we’re Expanding the Possible by continuously improving what we do and how we do it - for our clients and each other.

If you’re ready to revolutionize how the world moves for future generations, Wabtec is the place for you.

Who are we?

Wabtec is a leading global provider of equipment, systems, digital solutions, and value-added services for the freight and transit rail sectors. Drawing on more than 150 years of experience, we are leading the way in safety, efficiency, reliability, innovation, and productivity. Whether it’s freight, transit, ports, logistics, mining, industrial, or marine, our expertise, technologies, and people together – are accelerating the future of transportation. With roots that date back to George Westinghouse, Thomas Edison, and Louis Faiveley, Wabtec has always built technologies and implemented solutions for a variety of sectors that are critical to meeting the needs of customers and governments alike.

Our global team of about 30,000 employees worldwide delivers performance that moves the world forward. We’re lifelong learners, obsessed with better. Learn more at www.WabtecCorp.com.

Culture powers us and the possibilities.

We believe the best ideas come from a mix of experiences and backgrounds. At Wabtec, we strive every day to create a place where everyone belongs. We’re building a culture where leadership, inclusion and your unique perspective fuel progress.

We’re proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome talent of all backgrounds, experiences, and identities, including race, gender, age, disability, veteran status and more.

Need accommodation? Just let us know - we’ve got you.

• Worker Sub Type: Regular
• Job Family: Quality Manufacturing

Requirements: