Deputy Manager - Plant Quality

Job Description:

Key missions of the position:

- Ensure adherence to product, process, and customer quality requirements.

- Drive resolution of internal and customer quality issues through structured RCA.

- Strengthen process quality systems (PFMEA, Control Plan, WI adherence).

- Ensure smooth execution of inspection, testing, and PDI processes.

- Support improvement of manufacturing quality and reduction of defects.

Measurement:

- Q: Process quality, customer complaints, and product conformity.

- C: Rework, rejection, and non-quality cost.

- D: Issue resolution time, production flow, and complaint closure.

- Internal defect rate and rework levels.

- Customer complaints and closure effectiveness.

- PDI clearance and first-time-right performance.

- Audit compliance (process, product, and system audits).

- RCA effectiveness and recurrence reduction.

- Quality wall clearance adherence.

Main responsibilities:

1. Manufacturing Quality Control & Process Discipline:

- Ensure adherence to design standards, PFMEA, control plans, and work instructions across production.

- Supervise quality execution at shop-floor level including assembly, testing, and inspection activities.

- Ensure process discipline and compliance in daily manufacturing operations.

- Support implementation of ECO / DRC changes and process updates.

2. Customer Quality & Issue Management:

- Coordinate resolution of customer complaints through structured QRQC and RCA methods.

- Act as interface for customer quality concerns and ensure timely escalation and closure.

- Support field failure analysis and preparation of reports (8D / PDCA / FAR).

- Monitor and track field issues (0 km, warranty returns) and ensure closure.

3. Non-Conformance & Corrective Actions:

- Ensure identification, containment, and disposition of internal quality issues.

- Drive structured problem-solving and corrective action implementation.

- Track recurring issues and support preventive action implementation.

- Ensure closure of quality issues within defined timelines.

4. Inspection, Testing & Validation:

- Ensure preparation and execution of inspection and testing plans for production.

- Support FAI activities (internal and customer) and track closure of open points.

- Validate product compliance before release (PDI and FG clearance).

- Ensure documentation traceability and inspection accuracy.

5. Quality Systems & Compliance:

- Ensure compliance with WMS, IMS, IRIS, and quality standards across operations.

- Support audits (internal, external, customer) and ensure readiness.

- Maintain discipline in quality documentation and reporting systems.

- Monitor adherence to quality procedures and standards.

6. Cross-Functional Coordination:

- Coordinate with Production, SCM, engineering, and customer teams for issue resolution.

- Support production continuity by minimizing quality-related disruptions.

- Participate in cross-functional reviews and improvement initiatives.

- Ensure alignment between quality requirements and operational execution.

7. Performance Monitoring & Reporting:

- Track quality KPIs and support performance review mechanisms.

- Analyze defect trends, complaints, and process issues.

- Provide inputs for improvement actions and corrective measures.

- Ensure visibility and reporting of quality metrics.

8. Authority & Quality Control:

- Exercise authority to stop production in case of quality or safety risks.

- Ensure non-conforming products are not passed to next stages.

- Support decision-making in quality-related escalations.

Required Candidate Profile:

Education/Training:

- Bachelors Degree in Mechanical Engineering.

Professional Experience:

- 6-9 years of experience in manufacturing / process / customer quality.

- Experience in handling customer complaints, audits, and process quality.

Key Competences:

- Manufacturing / Operation Quality Governance: 3.

- Quality Systems & Audits: 4.

- Quality Tools & Process Excellence: 4.

- Customer Complaint & Escalation Management: 3.

- People / Stakeholders Management: 3.

- Conflict / Crisis Management: 3.

Languages:

- English.

- Hindi.

Behavioral Skills:

- Demonstrates ownership in managing process and customer quality issues.

- Proactive in identifying and resolving process deviations.

- Strong coordination and communication across teams and customers.

- Maintains disciplined and structured approach to quality execution.

- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic shop-floor environment.

- Focus on continuous improvement and operational excellence.