Manufacturing Quality Assurance Manager

BAT; George Town; On-site; MYR 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual performance bonus

Health plans

Flexible holiday plan

Job summary

British American Tobacco in Penang, Malaysia seeks a Manufacturing Quality Assurance Manager to ensure continuous high-quality product delivery from External Supply partners. You will review processes, drive improvements, and ensure right-first-time capability across supplier tiers.

This role reports to the NC Quality Performance Manager and involves close collaboration with operations, procurement, and NPD teams.

Qualifications

• Operations-based Quality management in FMCG Manufacturing / electronics environments.
• Experience with APQP, PPAP and NPI processes is preferred.
• Strong problem solving with data-driven improvement mindset.

Responsibilities

• Liaise with Tier 1 suppliers to manage quality performance and drive continuous improvement.
• Assess supply base process capability and opportunities to increase output while maintaining quality.
• Analyze data to monitor QA output and lead corrective actions.
• Lead PPAP/APQP process validation and supplier process changes.
• Travel to supplier sites as needed to resolve issues and ensure supply continuity.
• Support Lean Six Sigma projects and contribute to GB initiatives on-site.

Skills

Quality management

APQP

Six Sigma

Problem solving

Statistical analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Masters in Operations Management / Engineering / Science

Excellent English communication

Experience in electronics/manufacturing

Tools

Minitab

PCBA testing

Job description

BAT is evolving at pace into a global multi-category business. Our purpose is to create A Better Tomorrow™ by Building a Smokeless World. To achieve our ambition, we are looking for colleagues who are ready to join us on this journey! Tomorrow can’t wait, let’s shape it together.

British American Tobacco has an exciting opportunity for a Manufacturing Quality Assurance Manager in Penang, Malaysia

Reports to: NC Quality Performance Manager

Number of Direct Reports: NA

Core Relationships: Internal – Operations Team, Procurement, Supply Network Operations (SNO), New Product Development (NPD), Manufacturing Innovations, Research & Development. External – Tier 1 – Tier 4 suppliers

Geographic Scope: Global

Travel Required: Role is based at the supplier site. New Categories (NC) Operations covers 30+ markets 3 Commercial Regions and the US, a diverse range of cultures and volatile operating environments. New Categories Operations works directly with multiple Tier 1 suppliers who assemble and pack our products in line with our defined Quality, Cost and Delivery expectations. In addition we have a network of preferred Tier 2-3 suppliers who build components and sub-assemblies for our products.

The key objective of this role is to ensure the continuous delivery of high-quality Products from our External Supply partner. This will involve the analysis, review and recommendation of process improvements and opportunities to drive continuous improvement on standards, approaches and practices influencing 'right-first-time' approaches to capability build within the supply base.

Key Responsibilities

• Day-to-day liaison and supply-base management for Quality performance at the Tier 1 Supplier. The delivery and management of an effective and flexible supply base that supports ongoing supply from NC Operations Continuous Improvement within the suppliers, their processes and cascading throughout the supplier tiers and BAT where appropriate.
• Being a local and active customer partner who will respond and react to supplier issues and concerns immediately.
• In conjunction with the Process Engineering team deliver the assessment of supply base process capability and opportunities to increase output without impacting quality, whilst at the same time reducing cost.
• Managing the BAU Quality output performance of the supply chain by analysing and acting on data and statistical analysis.
• Driving programme actions aligned to Consumer Complaints and quality improvement Glide paths.
• Manage and witness the PPAP and APQP process from a BAU perspective, only accepting a PSW when data driven success is evident. APQP process covers supplier process change (ECN) and NPI.
• Where required travel to 2nd and 3rd tier suppliers where issues are unresolved or threatening supply and demand.
• Have a direct impact on Lean 6 Sigma and process flow analysis activities, specifically helping to deliver GB projects on-site for Globally based team members.

What we are looking for?

Experience Required

• Operations-based Quality management in FMCG Supply Chain. (2-5 years)
• Quality management processes
• Experience working within monthly & Weekly control cycles.
• Experience of process approval for new capability build for New Product introduction.
• Sound knowledge of Quality management processes.
• Process management and analysis
• Familiar with PCBA, FATP testing and device assembly process as well
• Problem solving Skills
• APQP (Advance Product Quality Planning)
• 5S - Sort-Straighten-Shine-Standardise-Sustain
• VSM (Value Stream Mapping)
• Good interpersonal and communication skills, able to influence stakeholders across the commercial and operational business including suppliers
• Good experience for electrical product SMT, wave soldering, assembly and testing process. minimum 10 years quality experience both in electrical and mechanical assembly manufacturing environment.
• Have both ODM or OEM supplier quality management experience.
• Good experience in new product transition to mass/commercial production process, familiar with APQP approach to ensure a smooth hand-over from NPD, ramp up to commercial production.
• Have good hands on experience in fixture/jigs build considering Poke-Yoke methodology, experience in machine buy off process, entire manufacturing process set up and qualification process from quality perspective.
• Familiar with measurements, able to identify product CTQ (critical to quality) and process CTP (Critical to process) and critical characteristics identification process.
• Strong ability to lead supplier manufacturing site qualification using supplier product & process audit tools, supplier process validation for new project launch.
• Able to do product and process trouble shooting, roll up sleeves working with our strategy supplier/business partner on problem solving and drive quality continuous improvement in terms of yield improvement, targeting on efficient but pursuing high level quality co-working with manufacturing assurance team.
• Good experience on ECN and PCN (process change notification) review, validation and implementation, able to lead and set up cosmetic limit samples with reference to quality inspection guideline co-working with quality innovation team, review supplier cosmetic inspection process and make vital improvement.
• Good capability to balance multiple ramp up and commercial production projects in parallel.
• Solid understanding on quality tools such as SPC, 8D problem solving, FMEA, MSA/GRR, FAI(First article inspection), Cpk, PPAP etc.

Preferred Qualifications

• Six sigma certified GB (Green Belt) or BB (Black Belt) or equivalent experience is helpful
• Auditor qualification.
• Rich Experience on DFM, DOE and hypothesis testing will be a plus.
• Able to use Minitab to perform data statistical analysis, data based to make reasonable decision or improvement proposal provided.

Education / Qualifications / Certifications Required

• Desirably Masters / graduate calibre in Operations Management, Engineering or Science
• Excellent level of report writing and technical / conversational English
• helpful
• Prior experience of operations / supply chain management in consumer goods and electronics industry

What we offer you?

• We offer a market leading annual performance bonus (subject to eligibility)
• Our range of benefits varies by country and includes diverse health plans, initiatives for work-life balance, transportation support, and a flexible holiday plan with additional incentives
• Your journey with us isn't limited by boundaries; it's propelled by your aspirations. Join us at BAT and become a part of an environment that thrives on internal advancement, where your career progression isn't just a statement – it's a reality we're eager to build together. Seize the opportunity and own your development; your next chapter starts here.
• You'll have access to online learning platforms and personalized growth programs to nurture your leadership skills
• We prioritise continuous improvement within a transformative environment, preparing for ongoing changes

Why Join BAT?

We're one of the few companies named as a Global Top Employer by the Top Employers Institute - certified in offering excellent employee conditions.

Collaboration, inclusion and partnership underpin everything we do here at BAT. We are looking forward to enabling every individual to thrive, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, marital or civil partnership status, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, disability, age, skills, experience, education, socio-economic and professional background, veteran status, perspectives and thinking styles. We know that embracing talent from all backgrounds is what makes us stronger and best prepared to meet our business goals.

We see the career breaks as opportunities not obstacles. Through The Global Returners program, we support professionals looking to restart their careers after an extended absence from the workforce (e.g. time out caring for family, parental leave, national service, sabbatical and/or starting an own venture).

If you require any reasonable adjustments or accommodations to help you perform at your best during the recruitment process, you are encouraged to notify us. We are fully committed to support you by making appropriate arrangements for you to demonstrate your full potential.