Quality Production Manager

Talent Scout Recruitment; East London; On-site; ZAR 300 000 - 400 000; Full time

Job summary

A recruitment agency is seeking an experienced Production Quality Manager in East London, Eastern Cape. The ideal candidate will have a degree in Quality or Engineering, at least 5 years in a quality management role in the automotive industry, and a strong understanding of quality standards such as IATF 16949 and ISO 9001. Responsibilities include ensuring ongoing compliance, leading audits, and promoting a culture of quality across the production floor.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years in a Quality Management role within the automotive or manufacturing environment.
• Solid understanding of quality management standards and tools.
• Strong leadership presence with excellent interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the implementation of IATF 16949 and ISO 9001 quality management systems.
• Lead root cause investigations and corrective actions.
• Manage internal and external audit programs.

Skills

Leadership

Quality Management Systems

Continuous Improvement

Interpersonal Skills

Education

Degree in Quality, Engineering, or related field

Tools

IATF 16949

ISO 9001

FMEA

SPC

Job description

Overview

Role: Production Quality Manager

Location: East London, Eastern Cape

Note: Open to ALL

Our client, a well-established automotive component manufacturer, is seeking an experienced Production Quality Manager with deep technical expertise and a solid track record in quality leadership.

This position is not just about maintaining systems – it’s about instilling a mindset of quality throughout the production floor and wider business. The successful candidate will be responsible for driving compliance with global standards, leading audits, and embedding a culture of continuous improvement.

We’re looking for a proactive, assertive leader who can build and guide a high-performing team. Your ability to promote accountability, ensure cross-functional alignment, and achieve consistent, measurable quality improvements will be critical to success.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and ensure the ongoing implementation of IATF 16949 and ISO 9001 quality management systems
• Lead root cause investigations, corrective actions, and improvement projects to prevent recurrence of quality issues
• Manage internal and external audit programs and ensure full audit readiness
• Drive quality training and continuous improvement initiatives across departments
• Analyse internal quality metrics and initiate appropriate corrective or preventative actions
• Monitor customer-specific quality requirements and act immediately on safety or non-conformance risks
• Manage product approval processes for new parts and changes, working closely with customers
• Handle customer complaints professionally, including conducting on-site investigations if required
• Ensure supplier quality meets company and industry standards through performance tracking and audits
• Facilitate internal audits and support supplier audit processes in collaboration with stakeholders
• Prepare for and actively participate in both customer and third-party certification audits
• Develop inspection and testing protocols and ensure consistent application
• Lead, mentor, and evaluate quality team members to ensure capability and performance
• Deliver training on quality systems, KPIs, and tools across business units
• Track and report on internal and customer-related quality KPIs
• Manage departmental budgets and monitor cost efficiencies
• Coordinate management review meetings and contribute to setting quality objectives
• Ensure all activities comply with relevant health, safety, and environmental standards

Qualifications

• Degree in Quality, Engineering, or a related technical field (or equivalent experience)

• Minimum 5 years in a Quality Management role within the automotive or manufacturing environment

• Solid understanding of IATF 16949, ISO 9001, FMEA, SPC, and control plans

• Strong leadership presence with excellent interpersonal and stakeholder management skills