Quality Manager

DRiV Incorporated; Pinetown; On-site; ZAR 600 000 - 800 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading automotive components manufacturer in Pinetown seeks an experienced Quality Assurance Manager to oversee all quality assurance operations. The successful candidate will ensure compliance with established quality standards, manage inspections, conduct training, and lead a team to enhance product quality and customer satisfaction. This role requires extensive experience in quality management and strong interpersonal skills. Location: Pinetown, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Qualifications

• 5–6 years quality managerial/supervisory experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Excellent understanding of motor industry quality standards.
• Senior management experience in the automotive industry preferred.

Responsibilities

• Ensure adherence to the Quality Control System.
• Investigate customer complaints and take corrective actions.
• Manage bought-out material inspection processes.
• Implement and drive a program of audits for quality assurance.
• Conduct training on quality processes and tools.

Skills

Attention to Detail

People Management Skills

Analytical Acumen

Facilitation Skills

Communication Skills

Project Management Skills

Education

Grade 12 plus recognized TQM systems related qualification

Quality and Mechanical Engineering qualifications preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Position Profile / Job Description

Position Title: Quality Assurance Manager

Functional Department: Quality Assurance – Pinetown Division

Position reporting to: Plant Manager – Pinetown Division

Administration Level: Band 10

Required Minimum Qualifications:

• Grade 12 plus recognized Total Quality Management (TQM) systems related and/or tertiary technical qualification; Quality and Mechanical Engineering qualifications preferred; Senior management experience in a similar position and in the automotive industry (Engine components experience preferred).
• Computer literacy, especially Microsoft Packages.
• People Management Skills, Negotiation Skills, Facilitation Skills, Empathy, Business Acumen, Communication Skills, Strong Interpersonal Skills, Attention to Detail, Ethics, Confidentiality, Project Management Skills, Analytical Acumen.

Required Minimum Work Experience:

• 5–6 years Quality Managerial/Supervisory/Specialist experience, preferably in a manufacturing environment.
• Excellent understanding of Motor Industry Quality standards, Policies & Procedures, Union Experience.

Manufacturing Inspection

To ensure adherence to Quality Control System.

• The Quality Control system is maintained in order to meet company and customer standards.
• Variances from Quality standards of components are identified and reported.
• Causes of deviation from standard are established and corrected.
• Customer complaints are investigated with corrective actions taken.
• Produce G8D and other relevant reports on causes of failure and required actions required actions.
• Scrap and rework targets are achieved.
• Ensure dimensional measuring equipment is calibrated at due intervals.
• Ensure benchmark sampling plan is utilised where relevant.
• Ensure swift turnaround times on support tests and measurements for special processes.
• Review all quality trends and metrics and make recommendations for improved focus.
• Ensure data collection systems are in place and data submitted on time for reporting purposes.
• Ensure Inspectors and Operators are fully trained and Skills Matrix updated.
• Ensure 5S is practised at the workstations.
• Attention to detail
• Knowledge of Quality principles and standards
• Lateral thinking
• Communication
• Facilitation
• Objectivity
• Ethics
• Analytical
• Systematic
• Initiative
• Pro-active.

Bought-out Material and Components

To ensure that all materials produced & supplied meet customer specifications.

• Bought-out materials and finished goods are inspected according to inspection instructions and records maintained.
• Out of specification findings are reported immediately.
• Rejected product is quarantined.
• Supplier is informed of concern via Purchase Planning Clerk.
• Defective material reporting to be appropriately circulated.
• Attention to detail
• Knowledge of Quality principles and standards
• Familiarity of Customer specifications
• Communication
• Facilitation.

Quality Assurance System

To ensure that customer and company standards are maintained.

• Identify all current external (Customer & Corporate) QMS requirements and incorporate these into the appropriate documentation. Initiate a formal review twice per year.
• Implement and drive a programme of Systems, Process, Dock and Packaging audits. Communicate audit findings in an accurate, detailed and timely manner. Schedule follow-up audits to ensure findings are closed out within defined time scales.
• Drive identified methodologies for problem solving.
• Issue non-conformance reports where appropriate for product, process and system non-conformances. Confirm permanent closeout, and suitability of corrective action on all reports within stipulated time frames.
• Achieve targeted objectives with regard to PPM’s and number of quality concerns for internal as well as our customers.
• AITF16949, ISO9001, VDA6.1 & BSI – Ensure ongoing organisational compliance with the quality management system requirements / periodic Management reviews.
• Scrap Rate – Reduce and maintain internal scrap rate at less than objective target – commitment to corporate year on year scrap reduction goals.
• Maintain a suitable Gauge R&R system and supporting calibration system.
• Training – Define and rollout organisational training plan for Quality Policy, Quality Awareness, SPC, Core Tools, Care and Use of Inspection Measuring Equipment and disciplined problem solving. Plan quality-training activities together with production to minimise impact on production activities.
• Communication – Drive continuous improvement in quality. Communicate key quality metrics throughout the organisation.
• Quality System Review – Co-ordinate, Chair, distribute minutes and follow-up on required actions.
• Customer Communication – Respond to all customer enquiries and alerts on the day of receipt.
• Ensure Process Flow Charts, Control Plans, Inspection Instructions and Quality Plans are updated at least once per annum.
• Attention to detail
• Knowledge of Quality principles and standards
• Familiarity of Customer specifications
• Communication
• Facilitation Skills.

SPC

To ensure that special processes are in control using the SPC tool.

• SPC programme implemented where required.
• Identified employees are trained.
• Programme is monitored & expanded where necessary.
• Initiate improvement actions where CP/CPK values do not meet customer/corporate defined values.
• Attention to detail
• Communication.

Warranty Claims

To ensure that product quality or functional concerns are actioned timeously.

• Investigate and produce reports on causes of failure.
• Liaise with Development or Process on required re-design or upgrade of product.
• Action orientation
• Facilitation Skills
• Communication.

Quality Budget

Monitor and control all expenses.

• Budget is submitted for approval by due date.
• Budgeted expenses are maintained per monthly printout.
• Monitor overtime and keep within budgeted allowance.
• Business and Basic Financial acumen.

Management of Employees

Monitor subordinate critical performance objectives are met.

• Establish performance charters for each employee.
• Performance review is done at least once per annum.
• Personal improvement plans are established where required.
• Personal development plans are established where required.
• Monitor absenteeism is within target levels.
• Hold weekly team talks.
• Multi-Skilling – Drive the process actively supporting the “buddy” system of training.
• Communication
• Interpersonal Skills
• Assertiveness
• Coaching Skills
• Facilitation.

Quality Related Projects

• Manage and carry out any other Quality related projects as may be assigned from time to time.
• Project Management Skills.

Quality Assurance

• Ensure accuracy and always endeavour to “do it right first time.”
• Keep adequate records for quality assurance purposes.
• Ensure that work standards / specifications are met at all times as required in terms of the Company’s Quality Manual.
• Where findings are made following periodic quality audits, put counter‑measures in place and ensure that corrective actions are taken timeously.
• Knowledge and Understanding of the BSI and AITF Quality Management principles.

COVID-19

• Wear Face Mask correctly at all times, covering both the mouth and nose.
• Wash hands regularly with water and soap or sanitisers available at strategic points in the workplace.
• Practice social distancing.
• Disclose any symptoms that you may have to the designated officials of the Company.
• Observe and ensure compliance with any other restrictions as imposed by Government at all times.
• Develop and continuously improve COVID‑19 Policy.
• Understanding of the Disaster Management Act and the Associated Regulations.
• Understanding of the Company’s Disciplinary Procedure.

POPI Act

• Ensure that any private and confidential information of the Company, colleagues, and peers is not disclosed without consent.
• Understanding of the POPI Act No. 4 of 2013.

Queries

• Deal effectively with any queries that may arise relating to job scope.
• Problem Solving Skills.

NOTE: Any infringement of the Company’s rules and/or failure to execute the core duties as outlined on this Job Description could result in corrective measures instituted in terms of the Company’s established procedures.