QA Head - Brakes

Job description

**Job Purpose:**To lead the Quality Assurance function for Brakes and ABS systems, ensuring product and process quality, customer satisfaction, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement in alignment with automotive standards. **Key Responsibilities:** **Quality Strategy & Leadership** - Lead the QA team for Brakes & ABS, setting strategic quality goals and KPIs. - Drive a quality-first culture across functions design, manufacturing, supplier management, etc. - Collaborate with R&D, Production, and SCM to ensure early involvement in quality planning. **2. Product & Process Quality** - Ensure compliance with quality standards (IATF 16949, ISO 9001, ISO 26262). - Review and approve PPAP, FMEA, Control Plans, and work instructions for brake/ABS components. - Monitor First Pass Yield (FPY), defect rates, and other key quality metrics. **3. Supplier Quality** - Lead Supplier Quality initiatives for braking and ABS components (pads, rotors, valves, sensors). - Conduct supplier audits, drive corrective actions, and support localization/VA-VE initiatives. **4. Customer Quality** - Serve as the customer interface for quality issues (OEM/Tier-1). - Manage customer complaints, 8D analysis, warranty returns, and field failure investigations. - Ensure timely resolution of NCRs, DPPMs, and implement Poka-Yoke solutions. **5. Audits & Compliance** - Lead internal and external audits – IATF, VDA 6.3, customer-specific requirements. - Ensure all statutory and regulatory requirements for braking and ABS systems are met. - Prepare and present quality dashboards and MRM reviews. **6. Team Management & Development** - Mentor and guide QA engineers, supervisors, and inspectors. - Identify training needs related to brake systems, ISO standards, problem-solving tools (e.g., 8D, 5-Why, Fishbone, SPC, MSA). - Build a pipeline of future quality leaders. **Key Skills & Competencies:** - In-depth knowledge of braking systems, hydraulic circuits, ABS components, and testing. - Expertise in APQP, PPAP, FMEA, SPC, MSA, and 8D methodology. - Familiarity with testing tools and rigs for ABS/braking performance. - Strong customer orientation and experience in dealing with OEMs. - Problem-solving mindset and cross-functional collaboration. - Proficiency in quality tools like QMS, SAP QM Module, MiniTab, etc.