Plant Quality Lead: Automotive IATF 16949 Champion

Essenti Talent; Warren (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Essenti Talent seeks a Plant Quality Lead to oversee quality activities in a manufacturing facility, lead the Quality Engineering team, ensure compliance with customer requirements and IATF 16949, and drive continuous improvement across Operations and Engineering.

You will monitor quality metrics, lead audits, manage CAPA and 8D responses, and develop robust QMS processes such as APQP, PPAP, FMEA, Control Plans, SPC, and MSA while promoting accountability and a culture of excellence on the shop

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing or related field.
• 5+ years of quality experience in automotive manufacturing or supplier environment.
• Minimum 2–3 years of supervisory or direct people-management experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading and developing Quality Engineers.
• Strong knowledge of IATF 16949, ISO 9001, and automotive customer requirements.
• Working knowledge of APQP, PPAP, FMEA, Control Plans, SPC, MSA, and 8D.
• Experience managing customer quality issues, audits, and corrective actions.
• Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead, supervise, coach, and develop the plant Quality Engineering team.
• Establish team priorities, assign responsibilities, and hold team members accountable for performance and results.
• Oversee daily quality activities and ensure manufacturing processes meet customer and internal requirements.
• Maintain and improve the plant Quality Management System in accordance with IATF 16949 and customer-specific requirements.
• Lead resolution of customer complaints, corrective actions, and 8D responses.
• Drive root cause analysis and corrective actions to prevent recurring quality issues.
• Oversee APQP, PPAP, FMEA, Control Plans, SPC, and MSA activities.
• Monitor quality metrics, including customer PPM, scrap, rework, and cost of poor quality.
• Lead internal, external, and customer audits.
• Partner with Operations and Engineering to drive process improvements and reduce defects.
• Communicate quality performance, concerns, and improvement initiatives to plant leadership.
• Promote a culture of quality, accountability, and continuous improvement throughout the facility.

Skills

Quality leadership

Root cause analysis

IATF 16949 knowledge

APQP/PPAP/FMEA/Control Plans/SPC/MSA/8

Cross-functional collaboration

Strong communication

Problem solving

On-floor leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Quality/Manufacturing

Job description

Essenti Talent seeks a Plant Quality Lead to oversee quality activities in a manufacturing facility, lead the Quality Engineering team, ensure compliance with customer requirements and IATF 16949, and drive continuous improvement across Operations and Engineering.

You will monitor quality metrics, lead audits, manage CAPA and 8D responses, and develop robust QMS processes such as APQP, PPAP, FMEA, Control Plans, SPC, and MSA while promoting accountability and a culture of excellence on the shop