Quality Shift Leader

Brace Able Manufacturing; Durban; On-site; ZAR 360,000 - 480,000; Full time

Job summary

Brace Able Manufacturing seeks a Quality Lead to guide and support quality auditors on the assigned shift, ensuring inspections meet control plans and customer specifications. You will verify First-Offs, manage non-conformities, and drive root cause analysis and containment actions.

You will lead patrol inspections, monitor SOP compliance, and contribute to continuous improvement while collaborating with Production Shift Leaders to maintain product quality and on-time deliveries.

Qualifications

• Grade 12 or equivalent qualification with Mathematics.
• National Diploma or Degree in Quality, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Training in IATF 16949 Core Tools.
• Internal Auditor qualification will be advantageous.
• Knowledge of GD&T will be advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, supervise Quality Auditors on shift.
• Allocate inspection activities for quality coverage across production areas.
• Ensure inspections follow Control Plans, Work Instructions, customer requirements and approved quality procedures.
• Review First-Off inspections before production commences.
• Verify components using approved fixtures, gauges, drawings and specifications.
• Reject non-conforming First-Off components and drive corrective actions.
• Conduct patrol inspections and process audits per Control Plans.
• Monitor operator compliance with SOPs and machine setting requirements.
• Liaise with Production Shift Leaders and escalate unresolved quality concerns.
• Ensure compliance with IATF 16949, ISO 9001, customer requirements, PFMEA and traceability.

Skills

Leadership

Problem solving

Quality awareness

Attention to detail

Communication

Education

National Diploma or Degree in Quality, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering

Internal Auditor qualification advantageous

Tools

Measuring equipment

Calibration

Job description

Key responsibilities

• Leading, coaching, supervising, and coordinating Quality Auditors during the assigned shift.
• Allocating inspection activities to ensure adequate quality coverage across all production areas.
• Ensuring inspections are conducted in accordance with Control Plans, Work Instructions, customer requirements, and approved quality procedures.
• Reviewing and approving First-Off inspections before production commences.
• Verifying components using approved checking fixtures, gauges, measuring equipment, drawings, and specifications.
• Ensuring that production only commences once all dimensional and visual requirements have been met.
• Rejecting non-conforming First-Off components and ensuring corrective actions are implemented before approval.
• Ensuring patrol inspections and process audits are completed according to the relevant Control Plans.
• Monitoring operator compliance with approved work instructions, standard operating procedures, and machine setting requirements.
• Identifying, segregating, labelling, and controlling non-conforming products.
• Investigating quality concerns and supporting root cause analysis and corrective action activities.
• Stopping or escalating production where quality standards cannot be maintained.
• Ensuring compliance with IATF 16949, ISO 9001, Customer Specific Requirements, Control Plans, PFMEA, Process Flow documentation, and traceability requirements.
• Ensuring checking fixtures and measuring equipment are available, calibrated, fit for purpose, and correctly used.
• Reviewing First-Off, patrol inspection, Last-Off, and other quality documentation for completeness and accuracy.
• Preparing and submitting daily quality reports and communicating outstanding issues during shift handovers.
• Identifying recurring quality concerns and driving defect prevention and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Participating in scrap meetings, problem-solving activities, Kaizen, and other continuous improvement initiatives.
• Liaising with Production Shift Leaders and escalating unresolved quality concerns to the Quality Manager.
• Communicating urgent quality issues and customer-related concerns promptly and effectively.

Minimum Requirements

Qualifications

• Grade 12 or equivalent qualification with Mathematics.
• National Diploma or Degree in Quality, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Training in IATF 16949 Core Tools.
• Internal Auditor qualification will be advantageous.
• Knowledge of GD&T will be advantageous.

Experience Required

• Minimum of 5 years'' experience in an automotive manufacturing environment.
• Minimum of 2 years'' experience in a quality leadership or senior quality inspection role.
• Experience in one or more of the following manufacturing processes: Stamping Welding Assembly Tube and wire forming will be advantageous.
• Experience working with OEM customer requirements.
• Sound knowledge of automotive quality systems, inspection methods, problem-solving, and defect prevention.

Key Performance Areas (KPAs)

• Safety performance
• Production output and efficiency
• Product quality and scrap reduction
• On-time customer delivery
• Employee engagement and development
• Continuous improvement implementation
• Compliance with company policies and procedures

Key Competencies

• Strong leadership and people management skills.
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical ability.
• Attention to detail and a high level of quality awareness.
• Good understanding of measuring equipment and checking fixtures.
• Ability to make sound decisions and act decisively when quality standards are at risk.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Strong planning, coordination, and reporting skills.
• Commitment to continuous improvement and customer satisfaction.