Assistant Quality Manager

Pasona N A, Inc.; Farmington Hills (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Pasona N A, Inc. is seeking an Assistant Quality Manager to lead quality and program management for automotive parts from development through mass production.

You will coordinate with OEMs, suppliers, and internal teams to ensure gates are met, quality reports are prepared, and audits are conducted. The role requires a bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field and 5+ years in automotive quality, APQP/PPAP experience, and strong problem-solving and communication skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field.
• 5+ years in automotive quality or program management.
• Experience with APQP and PPAP.
• IATF 16949/ISO/TS quality systems knowledge.
• Experience with OEM quality portals.
• Strong problem-solving and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead quality control activities for parts production to align with project schedules and mass production preparation.
• Prepare and submit quality documents and technical reports for OEM milestones.
• Conduct supplier quality audits to ensure compliance with global standards.
• Serve as the quality lead for assigned programs from development through mass production.
• Build relationships with customers and suppliers and coordinate cross-functional teams.
• Lead Kaizen and continuous improvement initiatives to improve product quality and efficiency.

Skills

Quality leadership

APQP/PPAP

IATF 16949

Program management

Root-cause analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Quality documentation

Supplier quality audits

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Quality/Manufacturing

Tools

OEM quality portals

APQP/PPAP toolchains

Job description

A global Japanese company in the automotive industry is seeking an Assistant Quality Manager to support quality and program management activities for automotive parts development, new vehicle launches, and mass production preparation.

In this role, you will serve as the quality lead for assigned programs and coordinate quality requirements among OEM customers, suppliers, and internal cross-functional teams. Key responsibilities include managing project milestones, quality gates, technical documentation, supplier audits, and continuous improvement initiatives throughout the product lifecycle—from development through mass production.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and optimize quality control activities for parts production in accordance with new vehicle project schedules and mass production preparation plans.
• Lead the preparation and submission of quality-related documentation and technical reports required for OEM project milestones.
• Direct and conduct supplier quality audits to ensure compliance with global quality standards and project-specific requirements.
• Serve as the quality lead for assigned local production programs, ensuring that all quality gates are successfully completed from product development through mass production.
• Build and maintain key relationships with customers and suppliers.
• Lead strategic meetings with customers and suppliers to ensure technical alignment, resolve quality issues, and strengthen long-term business partnerships.
• Manage program schedules, deliverables, risks, and cross-functional coordination related to project quality.
• Manage PPAP documentation, submissions, approvals, and follow-up activities.
• Coordinate defect investigations, root-cause analyses, corrective actions, and recurrence-prevention activities.
• Lead Kaizen and other continuous improvement initiatives to improve product quality, production stability, and operational efficiency.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality Management, Manufacturing, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• 5+ years of experience in Quality Control, Quality Engineering, Process Engineering, Supplier Quality, Program Management, or a related automotive manufacturing function.
• Experience managing quality activities for new vehicle programs and mass production launches.
• Hands-on experience with APQP and PPAP activities.
• Experience working within IATF 16949 or ISO/TS 16949 quality management systems.
• Experience using OEM customer quality portals.
• Knowledge of structured problem-solving and quality improvement methodologies, including:
• 8D
• PDCA
• 5 Whys
• 4M analysis
• Strong program management, problem-solving, and root-cause analysis skills.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, schedules, and priorities simultaneously.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to build effective relationships with customers, suppliers, and internal teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working for or supporting a Tier 1 automotive supplier.
• Experience conducting supplier quality audits.
• Experience managing quality activities from product development through mass production.
• Experience coordinating with global and cross-cultural teams.
• Familiarity with Kaizen and other continuous improvement principles.

Work Arrangement and Travel

This is an on-site position and requires approximately 25% travel.