Lead Automotive Quality Manager - IATF 16949 Expert

Autokiniton; Bluffton (SC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Autokiniton Bluffton is seeking a senior Quality lead to drive excellence on the manufacturing floor. You will oversee the Quality team, instill a strong Quality-at-the-source culture, and maintain the IATF 16949 system while serving as the primary contact for automotive customers.

You will lead structured problem solving, guide APQP/PPAP activities, and partner with cross-functional teams to reduce scrap, defects, and cost of quality in a fast-paced stamping environment.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated leadership of automotive quality teams and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Strong knowledge of IATF 16949 and customer-specific requirements.
• Hands-on experience with core quality tools and problem-solving methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop the plant Quality team, including Quality Engineers and Quality Technicians.
• Drive a strong Quality-at-the-source culture throughout the manufacturing operation.
• Maintain and continuously improve the plant’s IATF 16949 Quality Management System.
• Serve as the primary Quality contact for automotive customers and manage customer concerns, scorecards, corrective actions, and escalations.
• Lead structured problem solving and corrective actions using 8D, 5-Why, and root cause analysis.
• Lead and support APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, Control Plans, SPC, MSA, Gage R&R, and other Automotive Core Tools.
• Partner with Production, Engineering, Tool & Die, Maintenance, Materials, and plant leadership to improve product and process quality.
• Drive reductions in scrap, rework, sorting, containment, customer complaints, PPM, and Cost of Poor Quality.
• Support new product and tooling launches, engineering changes, and production readiness.
• Lead internal, customer, and third-party audits and ensure timely closure of findings.
• Monitor Quality KPIs, identify trends, and develop action plans that deliver measurable improvements.
• Ensure customer-specific requirements are understood and implemented throughout the plant.
• Build capability within the Quality organization through training, mentoring, accountability, and succession development.
• Be a visible leader on the manufacturing floor who collaborates with Operations to solve problems at the source.

Skills

Quality leadership

Communication skills

Problem solving

Team development

On-floor leadership

Tools

APQP

PPAP

PFMEA

Control Plans

SPC

MSA

Gage R&R

8D

5-Why

GD&T

Job description

Autokiniton Bluffton is seeking a senior Quality lead to drive excellence on the manufacturing floor. You will oversee the Quality team, instill a strong Quality-at-the-source culture, and maintain the IATF 16949 system while serving as the primary contact for automotive customers.

You will lead structured problem solving, guide APQP/PPAP activities, and partner with cross-functional teams to reduce scrap, defects, and cost of quality in a fast-paced stamping environment.