LAEPPLE Automotive is a leading supplier in the automotive industry, specializing in high-quality components and systems for body components manufacturing. Our innovative technologies and efficient production processes set benchmarks in the industry. We are seeking a results-oriented Quality Manager responsible for leading, developing, and executing LAEPPLE’s quality strategy within a Class A manufacturing environment. The Quality Manager is responsible for leading the Quality Management System (QMS) and ensuring compliance with customer, regulatory, and industry quality standards within a Tier 1 Automotive manufacturing environment producing Class A parts. This role drives continuous improvement initiatives, customer satisfaction, defect prevention, and operational excellence through effective management of quality systems, audits, supplier quality, customer quality, and manufacturing process controls. The Quality Manager serves as the primary quality representative for customers, suppliers, and certification bodies while fostering a culture of quality through the organization. The ideal candidate combines strong technical expertise with leadership, process discipline, and a collaborative mindset.
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- Lead, mentor and develop team of Quality Engineers, Quality Technicians, and associated staff.
- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Develop, maintain, and implement LAEPPLE’s Quality Management System (QMS) in alignment with ISO 9001, IATF 16949, and VDA standards.
- Lead internal, external, customer, and certification audits.
- Ensure corrective and preventive actions are implemented and sustained.
- Manage document control, procedures, work instructions, and quality records.
- Serve as primary customer contact for quality-related concerns and performance metrics.
- Lead customer complaint investigations using structured problem-solving methodologies (8D, 5-Why, Fishbone/Ishikawa, Fault Tree Analysis, etc.).
- Coordinate containment, corrective actions, and customer communications.
- Support customer audits and launch readiness reviews.
- Monitor customer scorecards and drive improvement initiatives to meet or exceed performance targets.
- Develop and maintain process control plans and inspection strategies.
- Ensure implementation of APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, Control Plans, MSA, SPC, etc.
- Monitor manufacturing processes for compliance and effectiveness.
- Lead layered process audits and product audits.
- Drive reduction of scrap, rework, customer claims, and customer disruptions.
- Partner with suppliers to ensure compliance with quality standards and customer requirements.
- Support supplier qualification, development, and corrective action activities.
- Review supplier performance metrics and lead supplier improvement initiatives.
- Participate in supplier audits and escalation activities as necessary.
- Lead quality improvement projects utilizing Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and Root Cause Analysis.
- Establish and track key quality performance indicators.
- Drive cost reduction through defect prevention and process improvement.
- Establish departmental goals aligned with plant and corporate objectives.
- Conduct performance evaluations and support employee development plans.
- Promote cross-functional collaboration with Operations, Engineering, Program Management, Supply Chain, etc.
- Participate in plant operational excellence initiatives and cost-reduction programs.
- Desire to work in a team-based, lean manufacturing environment.
- Adhere to all procedures, regulatory requirements, and department/company policies.
- Other duties and tasks as assigned.
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- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality, Operations Management, or a related technical discipline.
- 7+ years of Quality experience in automotive manufacturing.
- 3+ years of leadership or management experience.
- Quality Management certification strongly preferred (CMQ/OE, CQE, CSQP, etc.).
- Previous experience within an automotive Tier 1 manufacturing environment, supporting major OEM customers.
- Lead Auditor Certification (ISO9001, IATF, VDA) with working knowledge strongly preferred.
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