Quality Head

ABOUT THE ROLE
My client is a sheet metal fabrication and industrial engineering company running ISO 9001:2015, moving to IATF 16949, on SAP. You will build the quality function from scratch across four plants and own it end to end: systems, process quality, customer audits, suppliers and people.

You will own quality across four plants (Aligarh and Greater Noida), building the quality function from scratch, from IATF 16949 certification to process control on the shop floor.

TOP 5 KEY SKILLS

1. Sheet metal fabrication quality: continuous press shop, welding and fabricated assemblies (mandatory gate)
2. IATF 16949 / QMS leadership: take ISO 9001:2015 to IATF 16949 across both plants
3. Process quality across the full stack (listed below)
4. Buyer and customer audit leadership
5. Quality team building at plant level

WHAT YOU WILL OWN

1. QMS and certification: gap analysis, documentation, internal audit cadence, and certification audits for IATF 16949 across both plants.
2. Process quality: control plans, PFMEA, SPC and MSA for:
• Pneumatic power presses (up to 615T) and forging hammers
• Casting: gravity, low-pressure and sand
• CNC machining and laser cutting
• Robotic and manual welding
• Hot-dip galvanizing and electroplating
• Robotic and reciprocator powder coating
3. Customer audits: prepare for and lead buyer and customer audits, and close findings within customer timelines.
4. Customer-quality oversight: review customer complaints, CAPA and 8D. The QC team executes; you set standards and ensure closure.
5. Supplier quality: build a supplier rating, audit and development system from scratch.
6. Quality organisation: design the structure, hire, train and mentor QA and QC teams across both sites.
7. Systems and technology: work in SAP, build MIS dashboards, and use AI tools for analysis, FMEA and reporting.

KPIs (FIRST 12 MONTHS)

• IATF 16949 certification: gap analysis in 60 days; certified within the agreed audit window
• Customer PPM: reduced from baseline
• Internal rejection and rework %: reduced from baseline
• COPQ: tracked monthly; reduced year on year
• First-time-right at key processes: improved from baseline
• Customer audit findings: closed within customer timelines
• Supplier rating coverage: 100% of critical suppliers rated and audited
• Quality team capability: org structure live; training matrix in place
  (Baselines are set in the first 60 days with the Promoter. Numeric targets to be agreed.)

MUST-HAVE

• B.E./B.Tech in an engineering discipline
• Continuous, recent sheet metal fabrication experience. Casting-only, forging-only, springs, wiring harness and supplier-quality-only careers do not qualify.
• Plant-side QMS ownership and customer or buyer audit exposure
• Has led a quality team at plant level
• Willing to relocate and base in Aligarh

STRONG PREFERENCE (NOT MANDATORY)

• IATF 16949 Lead Auditor
• Tractor, earthmoving or capital equipment customer exposure
• US or export customer exposure
• Experience building a function in a promoter-led company

SELECTION PROCESS

1. Virtual conversation with Read AI scoring
2. Written technical assessment
3. AI proficiency round
4. Face-to-face with the core team

Location & travel

Base: Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh. Travel: about 30% to the Greater Noida plant.