Quality Manager

SODECIA - AAPICO JV LLC; Troy (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Job summary

SODECIA - AAPICO JV LLC is seeking a hands-on Quality Manager to establish, launch and lead the Quality/PPAP function for a high-volume automotive ladder frame plant. The role owns plant quality systems, PPAP, dimensional verification, and customer acceptance across two shifts.

The successful candidate will build a disciplined quality organization, coordinate with customer and supplier teams, and ensure production readiness from commissioning through stable two-shift operations, with relocation

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• 8–10+ years in automotive manufacturing quality.
• 3–5+ years leading quality teams or programs.
• Experience with APQP/PPAP and IATF 16949.

Responsibilities

• Build and lead the plant quality organization across two shifts.
• Implement IATF 16949-aligned QMS and customer requirements.
• Lead APQP/PPAP deliverables and launch readiness.
• Manage weld integrity, dimensional metrology, and final audits.
• Coordinate with customer/supplier quality teams and drive 8D actions.

Skills

Quality leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Audits & compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Quality/Mechanical/Manufacturing/Industrial or Welding

Tools

CMM software

GD&T

MSA & SPC

Job description

This position will be in for our new plant in Orangeburg South Carolina. The successful candidate will be required to relocate within one hour of the facility prior to plant occupancy certificate, anticipated date 3/1/2027. Some relocation assistance is available for the correct candidate. For work time between now and plant occupancy, the candidate will be based in Troy MI. Remote opportunity considered for current residents of South Carolina until plan occupancy date.This position will be an on-site position with mandatory attendance required once plant occupancy is granted.Position OverviewSodAap is seeking a hands-on Quality Manager to establish, launch and lead the Quality / PPAP function for a high-volume automotive ladder frame plant. The role owns plant quality systems, advanced product quality planning, production part approval, welded-frame and e-coat quality, dimensional verification, launch containment, and final customer acceptance. This leader will develop a disciplined quality organization, coordinate with customer and supplier quality teams, and ensure production readiness from commissioning through stable two-shift operations.Core ResponsibilitiesQuality Leadership, Systems & Customer Interface• Build and lead the plant quality organization across both shifts; define ownership, escalation rules, staffing, qualifications, training and layered process audits.• Implement and maintain an IATF 16949-aligned quality management system, customer-specific requirements, controlled procedures, audit readiness, and management reviews.• Serve as the plant quality lead for customer scorecards, complaints, audits, containment, 8D corrective actions, change approvals and customer communications.• Drive cross-functional problem-solving with Operations, Engineering/Launch, Maintenance, MP&L, Purchasing and external SQA.APQP, PPAP & Launch Readiness• Lead APQP deliverables, process flow diagrams, PFMEA, Control Plans, inspection standards, MSA, capability studies, traceability plans and PPAP submission readiness.• Define quality gates for equipment commissioning, FAT/SAT, pilot builds, dimensional buy-off, production trials, Run-at-Rate and customer approval.• Establish GP-12 / early-production containment criteria, staffing, defect tracking, escalation, exit requirements and handover to normal production controls.• Maintain a launch quality risk register and action tracker, escalating overdue capability, measurement, weld, coating and documentation issues.Weld Integrity & Structural Frame Quality• Oversee inspection and validation of robotic MIG/MAG welds, weld locations, size, penetration, discontinuities, spatter and repair controls against approved customer specifications.• Coordinate weld audits, destructive and nondestructive testing where required, weld parameter monitoring, repair authorization, and weld traceability.• Lead containment and root-cause analysis for weld defects, distortion, fixture-related variation and assembly nonconformances; partner with welding/process engineering on permanent corrective actions.• Verify critical-to-quality characteristics at rails, crossmembers, brackets and mounting interfaces, including special characteristics identified by the customer.Dimensional Metrology & Process Capability• Own CMM/metrology strategy, inspection plans, measurement frequency, fixture verification, calibration and reporting of frame geometry and GD&T conformance.• Ensure MSA/Gage R&R studies are completed and customer-approved criteria are met; drive corrective action for unacceptable measurement variation.• Establish SPC, reaction plans, Cp/Cpk or Pp/Ppk assessments as required by customer specifications and validated control plans.• Coordinate first-off, in-process, final and change-point dimensional checks; prevent release of frames with unresolved critical deviations.E-Coat, Corrosion Protection & Final Audit• Own quality assurance for automated e-coat output, including coverage, film thickness, adhesion, appearance, drainage-related defects and corrosion testing to customer requirements.• Partner with Paint Process Engineering and Operations to monitor process parameters, lab checks, racks/hangers and defect trends.• Define final audit standards for welded and coated frames, acceptance sampling where approved, identification, traceability and release to shipping.• Establish nonconforming material controls, quarantine, rework verification, disposition authority and prevention of customer escapes.Supplier Quality Interface & Material Containment• Coordinate with external SQA to address nonconforming stamped rails, brackets and crossmembers at source, including supplier corrective actions and certified material.• Define clear receiving exception and suspect-material containment processes without creating a routine in-house incoming-inspection department.• Partner with MP&L on lot traceability, FIFO, blocked inventory, return-to-supplier decisions and customer-impact assessments.Data, Continuous Improvement & Cost of Quality• Implement dashboards for customer PPM, first-pass yield, scrap/rework, weld and paint defects, dimensional capability, audit closure and cost of poor quality.• Use Pareto, 8D, 5-Why, SPC and layered audits to prioritize chronic defects and verify sustained corrective-action effectiveness.• Lead quality-related investment and resource planning for CMM systems, checking fixtures, gauges, lab equipment, inspection stations and training.Required Qualifications• Bachelor’s degree in Quality, Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial or Welding Engineering, or a related field; equivalent experience considered.• Typically 8–10+ years in automotive manufacturing quality, including 3–5+ years managing quality teams or major quality programs in an OEM or Tier 1 environment.• Demonstrated leadership of APQP/PPAP, IATF 16949 quality systems, PFMEA, Control Plans, SPC, MSA, 8D and customer-specific requirements.• Practical experience in welded automotive structures, BIW/chassis/frame assemblies, robotic welding quality and dimensional metrology.• Experience leading customer quality issues, production launch containment, supplier escalation and multi-shift operations.Preferred Qualifications• Greenfield plant launch or new automotive frame/chassis program experience; high-volume robotic MIG/MAG welding and automated e-coat familiarity.• Hands-on experience with CMM software, GD&T, checking fixtures, corrosion/coating tests and digital quality traceability.• ASQ CQE/CQM, Six Sigma Black Belt or equivalent; experience supporting major North American automotive OEM requirements.Performance ExpectationsSuccess will be measured by customer acceptance and delivery of conforming frames, PPAP and launch gate closure, audit performance, effective containment, dimensional and weld capability, first-pass yield, reduction in scrap/rework and cost of poor quality, and sustained corrective-action closure. Specific numerical targets must be approved against customer specifications and the final plant operating plan.First-Year Priorities• Establish the Quality team, quality system, control plans, measurement strategy, equipment and lab readiness, and customer-specific requirements matrix.• Complete PPAP evidence, weld/paint validation, MSA and capability studies; execute launch containment and readiness reviews.• Stabilize first-pass quality across welding, e-coat and final audit; develop a robust defect prevention and continuous-improvement cadence.Work Environment & Equal OpportunityThis is an on-site manufacturing leadership position in South Carolina requiring frequent shop-floor engagement and flexibility during commissioning, launch and two-shift operations. Occasional supplier/customer travel may be required. SodAap is committed to equal employment opportunity and a safe, inclusive workplace.