Quality Assistant Manager, Laos Automotive Manufacturing

RMA Group, headquartered in Bangkok, Thailand, is a multi-sector group with over 9,000 employees and an operational presence in 17 countries. For 40 years, we have developed enduring partnerships to support the needs of our clients, underpinned by the core values of innovation, integrity, and endurance. Through its various businesses including RMA Automotive, Global Fleet Sales, Comin Asia, and Express Food Group (EFG), RMA Group has established itself as the partner of choice for leading automotive, equipment, engineering services, and food brands in Southeast Asia and beyond.

Overview of the Role

RMA Group is seeking a Quality Assistant Manager to oversee quality management activities at Laos Automotive Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (LAMCO) in Vientiane, Laos. The role focuses on ensuring product quality, maintaining compliance with industry standards, and driving continuous improvement across manufacturing operations. Working closely with cross-functional teams, the successful candidate will strengthen quality systems, improve operational performance, and promote a culture of quality and excellence.

Key Responsibilities

1. Quality Management & Compliance

• Develop, implement, and continuously improve quality management strategies, policies, and procedures to meet customer expectations and business objectives.
• Oversee quality assurance and control activities across automotive manufacturing operations, ensuring compliance with product specifications and quality standards.
• Maintain and enhance the Quality Management System (QMS) in accordance with applicable standards, including ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and relevant automotive quality requirements.
• Coordinate internal, external, and supplier quality audits, ensuring timely resolution of non-conformances and implementation of corrective actions.

2. Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives through Lean Manufacturing principles to enhance product quality, operational efficiency, and cost effectiveness.
• Monitor and improve key quality indicators, including customer defects (PPM), warranty claims, scrap, rework, and cost of quality.
• Lead root cause analysis, problem-solving, and corrective and preventive actions to minimise quality issues and prevent recurrence.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Production, and Operations teams to improve manufacturing processes, product reliability, and overall performance.

3. Quality Planning & Project Management

• Establish quality standards, performance metrics, and reporting processes to support manufacturing and business objectives.
• Provide quality input into new product development, manufacturing projects, and process improvements to ensure quality, cost, and delivery targets are achieved.
• Identify quality-related risks and implement appropriate mitigation and improvement plans.
• Prepare regular quality performance reports and present key findings, improvement initiatives, and recommendations to senior management.

4. People Leadership & Stakeholder Management

• Lead, coach, and develop the Quality team to build technical capabilities, accountability, and a high-performance culture.
• Set departmental objectives, monitor team performance, and support employee development.
• Build effective working relationships with internal departments, customers, suppliers, and other stakeholders to ensure quality expectations are consistently met.
• Promote cross-functional collaboration and a proactive approach to quality, safety, and continuous improvement.

5. Financial Management, Health & Safety

• Support the preparation and management of quality budgets, forecasts, and capital expenditure proposals.
• Identify opportunities to reduce quality-related costs, improve resource utilisation, and enhance operational efficiency.
• Ensure compliance with Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) policies, procedures, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Promote a strong safety culture and support the implementation of workplace health, safety, and environmental improvement initiatives.

Qualifications and experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality Management, Manufacturing, or a related discipline; a master's degree or equivalent postgraduate qualification is preferred.
• Relevant professional qualification or certification in Quality Management.
• Proven experience in automotive manufacturing quality assurance and quality management, preferably within an OEM or Tier 1 automotive supplier environment.
• Demonstrated experience in implementing and improving Quality Management Systems, quality policies, processes, and operational standards.
• Strong understanding of ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and automotive quality management requirements, including TS 16949.
• Sound technical knowledge of automotive manufacturing processes, components, production methods, and supply chain operations.
• Practical knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, continuous improvement methodologies, root cause analysis, and corrective and preventive actions.
• Proven ability to manage quality improvement projects, reduce operational costs, and improve manufacturing performance.
• Strong leadership, coaching, and team development capabilities, with the ability to drive performance and organisational change.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, decision-making, and communication skills.
• Strong stakeholder-management skills, including the ability to collaborate effectively with customers, suppliers, engineering teams, and senior management.
• Commercial awareness and experience supporting departmental budgets and cost improvement initiatives.
• A proactive, results-oriented, and adaptable approach, with the ability to work effectively in a multicultural manufacturing environment.

The position is based at LAMCO's manufacturing facility in Vientiane, Laos, and requires close collaboration with cross-functional teams, customers, suppliers, and other relevant stakeholders. The successful candidate should demonstrate strong strategic thinking, sound decision-making, flexibility, and the ability to coach and develop teams while maintaining high standards of quality, operational performance, and workplace safety.

RMA Group is an equal opportunity employer, with a diverse group of colleagues globally representing different cultures, backgrounds, and beliefs. Our values of Innovation, Integrity, and Endurance are embedded in what we do, and we welcome applicants who are committed to respecting diversity of thought and living our values on a day-to-day basis.