Product Development Manager For Apqp Automotive At Dawning Truth

Product Development Manager for APQP Automotive

Top Automotive Tier 1 Manufacturing firm seeks Product Development Manager for APQP Automotive. To lead the design and development of steel-based automotive components using the APQP process.

Ensure successful industrialisation in line with OEM specifications and automotive quality standards.

Non-Negotiables (We will check):

1. BEE: Open to all
2. 5 years Leading R&D product development in the automotive Tier 1 sector
3. 2 years Managing a team of engineers in a high-pressure Tier 1 manufacturing environment
4. 5 years APQP and PPAP compliance for OEM customers (Toyota / Ford preferred)
5. 3 years Experience with mechanical component engineering involving fatigue and mechanical design validation
6. Self-driven, confident, assertive communicator
7. High ownership mindset, not excuse-driven, goal-oriented leader

What the person must be able to do:

1. Lead the full design and development lifecycle of safety-critical mechanical components
2. Manage cross-functional engineering teams to achieve APQP milestones
3. Interface directly with OEM engineering teams for design sign-off and PPAP approval
4. Interpret fatigue, stress, and performance requirements into manufacturable designs
5. Ensure product compliance with IATF, ISO, VDA 6, and Ford Q1 quality standards

Key Job Deliverables:

1. To deliver OEM-ready product designs that meet all performance and quality benchmarks
2. To lead the execution of APQP and PPAP deliverables across design, validation, and launch phases
3. To ensure the development team hits project timelines while maintaining compliance with engineering and customer standards

Qualifications & Background Work Experience:

1. Degree or Diploma in Mechanical or Metallurgical Engineering
2. Led development of mechanical components for OEM approval in a Tier 1 context
3. Managed engineering teams to deliver under APQP pressure
4. Delivered PPAPs to Toyota and Ford under eAPQP or PA processes
5. Designed or validated fatigue-sensitive components with FEA, DFMEA, or CAE methods

Advantageous:

1. Exposure to SolidWorks, CATIA, FEA tools like ANSYS or fatigue modeling systems

Personality Summary:

1. High Driver - Ambitious, Results Orientated Go-getter.
2. Makes things happen.
3. Moderate Analytical - Strong with analysis, metrics, data and fact-based decision making.
4. Moderate Administrative - Good with procedures, processes and best practices.

Benefits of this Role:

1. Independent work culture
2. Industry leader
3. You can make your mark here

Reports to: Product Development Director

Location: Springs, Ekurhuleni

Salary: Market Related. In the Range of RK to (URL Removed) per annum.

Highly exceptional more senior candidates may be considered.

Type: Permanent

Start: ASAP

Reference: jJobs like this don't come around that often, so make sure you apply now.

Email: (Email Address Removed)

Desired Skills: APQP