Project Quality Manager

Stellantis; Auburn (AL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company Vehicle Lease Program

Tuition reimbursement

18 paid volunteer hours per year

Health & well-being coverage

Competitive retirement savings plans

Job summary

Stellantis in Auburn, Alabama, seeks a Manager, Program Quality Management to lead a team of quality professionals across the full product lifecycle, from concept to launch and post-launch support.

You will drive quality governance, APQP/PPAP execution, risk management, and cross-functional collaboration with Engineering, Manufacturing, Purchasing, Suppliers, and Vehicle Program teams to meet quality standards and customer expectations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, or related technical discipline.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive automotive quality experience, including program quality, launch quality, product development, or manufacturing quality.
• Strong knowledge of Program Management disciplines, APQP, PPAP, FMEA, Control Plans, Root Cause Analysis, and quality systems.
• Demonstrated experience leading quality strategy and governance within complex vehicle development programs.
• Proven ability to manage multiple programs simultaneously while balancing competing business priorities.

Responsibilities

• Lead, develop, and mentor a team of Program Quality Managers and Engineers responsible for assigned vehicle programs and systems.
• Oversee quality governance, milestone reviews, management reporting, issue escalation, and executive communications.
• Direct quality planning activities from concept through six months post-SOP and ensure APQP/PPAP compliance.
• Lead cross-functional quality reviews and ensure timely decision-making across Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Purchasing, and Suppliers.
• Drive risk identification, containment, corrective actions, and lessons learned for future programs.
• Ensure launch quality targets and customer satisfaction metrics across programs and activities.
• Provide executive-level reporting on KPIs, risks, and corrective action status.

Skills

Automotive quality management

Program management

APQP/PPAP

FMEA

Root cause analysis

Cross-functional leadership

Risk management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, or related technical discipline

Advanced degree in Engineering, Quality, Business Administration, or related field

Job description

The Manager, Program Quality Management is responsible for leading a team of Program Quality professionals and ensuring the successful execution of quality objectives across the full product lifecycle, from concept development through launch and post-launch support. This leader serves as the primary quality representative within the Program Management organization, driving quality governance, risk management, and cross-functional collaboration to achieve program timing, cost, scope, and customer satisfaction objectives.

The Manager provides strategic direction, talent development, and operational oversight for quality planning, APQP/PPAP execution, issue resolution, launch readiness, and continuous improvement activities. The role partners closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Purchasing, Suppliers, and Vehicle Program teams to ensure the delivery of products that meet Stellantis quality standards and customer expectations.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Management

• Lead, develop, and mentor a team of Program Quality Managers and Engineers responsible for assigned vehicle programs and systems.
• Establish team objectives, performance expectations, and development plans aligned with organizational quality goals.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and customer focus.
• Provide guidance and support for the resolution of complex quality concerns, risks, and escalations.

Program Quality Governance

• Serve as the senior quality leader within the Program Management structure, ensuring alignment of quality deliverables with program timing, cost, and scope targets.
• Drive program governance processes including milestone reviews, management reporting, issue escalation, and executive communications.
• Ensure quality risks, issues, and corrective actions are properly identified, documented, tracked, and resolved.
• Oversee development and execution of integrated program quality plans across all assigned programs.

Quality Planning & Execution

• Direct quality planning activities from concept through six months post-SOP.
• Ensure effective implementation of APQP and PPAP requirements across product systems and vehicle programs.
• Establish and monitor quality targets, customer satisfaction metrics, launch objectives, and risk mitigation plans.
• Drive quality convergence activities and ensure readiness for program milestones and launch events.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Act as the primary quality interface between Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Purchasing, Suppliers, and Vehicle Program leadership.
• Lead cross-functional quality reviews to ensure alignment, accountability, and timely decision-making.
• Influence organizational priorities and drive consensus across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Champion structured problem-solving methodologies to address quality concerns and drive sustainable corrective actions.

Risk, Issue & Change Management

• Oversee enterprise-level quality risk identification, containment, root cause analysis, and corrective action implementation.
• Ensure program deviations and mandatory compliance requirements are appropriately managed and approved.
• Drive lessons-learned processes and ensure best practices are incorporated into future programs.
• Escalate significant program risks and quality concerns to senior leadership with appropriate mitigation strategies.

Launch & Customer Quality Performance

• Ensure achievement of launch quality targets across vehicle programs and secondary program activities.
• Lead early warning systems and launch monitoring processes to proactively address emerging concerns.
• Drive improvements in customer quality performance, warranty reduction, and satisfaction metrics.
• Support industrialization and plant quality assessments to ensure production readiness and successful launches.

Reporting & Business Management

• Provide executive-level reporting on program quality performance, KPIs, risks, and corrective action status.
• Support business reviews through data-driven analysis, forecasting, and strategic recommendations.
• Balance quality, cost, timing, and customer requirements while enabling informed program decisions.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, or a related technical discipline
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive automotive quality experience, including program quality, launch quality, product development, or manufacturing quality
• Strong knowledge of Program Management disciplines, APQP, PPAP, FMEA, Control Plans, Root Cause Analysis, and quality systems
• Demonstrated experience leading quality strategy and governance within complex vehicle development programs
• Proven ability to manage multiple programs simultaneously while balancing competing business priorities

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Engineering, Quality, Business Administration, or related field
• Project Management Professional (PMP), ASQ Certification, or equivalent quality certification
• Experience supporting global vehicle platforms and launch programs

Our Benefits — Designed with You in Mind

Comprehensive Health & Well-being Coverage
From your very first day, you'll have access to medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage — ensuring you and your family stay healthy and protected.

Generous Paid Time Off
We believe in work-life balance. That's why we offer: 17+ paid holidays, including shut-down from December 24th through New Years Day every year. Vacation, float & wellbeing days, sick time and fully paid parental leave when your family needs you most.

Competitive Retirement Savings Plans
We help you plan for the future with:

• An employer match on contributions to your 401k, Roth, and Catch-Up plans
• An employer contribution, even if you don't contribute

Income Protection & Insurance Options
Benefit from included and optional disability, life, and other insurance programs — because your peace of mind matters.

Company Vehicle Lease Program
Eligible employees and their immediate families can enjoy company vehicle lease options with included insurance, maintenance, and unlimited mileage. Plus, take advantage of exclusive discounts on Stellantis products.

Family Building Benefit
We proudly support all paths to parenthood- including fertility and infertility treatments, adoption services, and gestational surrogacy.

Support for Your Growth and Giving Back
We believe in investing in your future and your passions:

• Tuition reimbursement
• Student loan refinancing programs
• 18 paid volunteer hours each year to make a difference in your community

And so much more!
When you join us, you're not just building a career — you're joining a company that supports you, inside and outside of work.