Quality Manager at Associated Vehicle Assemblers Limited

Job Purpose: The Quality Manager’s role is a key position within AVA and is responsible for implementing the Quality strategy and Strategic operational goals to exceed customer expectations for product quality, cost and delivery, optimizing production quality levels and supporting operational excellence. The quality manager will develop and sustain the Quality Management System in line with the required industry standards and Customer Specific Requirements (CSRs) (including ISO 9001:2015 and IATF 16949:2016.), manage the audit program to ensure that all nonconformities raised against certification bodies during audits are effectively corrected and independently verified and lead the team in achieving the Quality Management System targets for customers and business goals.

Key responsibilities:

• Contribute to the creation and implementation of best practice quality vision, strategy, policies, processes, and procedures to aid and improve operational performance
• Implement all concepts within AVA’s Quality Management System (QMS) to ensure compliance with customer specific requirements, ISO 9001:2015 and IATF 16949:2016
• Ensure that all in-house systems and procedures are updated, revised, and modified to meet the needs of external certification bodies
• Ensure that all necessary systems and procedures are in place to satisfy all customer requirements and audits
• Lead the regular Quality meetings with representatives from relevant functions to establish an action plan for improving build quality
• Promote the use of customer preferred techniques for continuous improvement such as Six-Sigma, Poka-Yoke (Error Proofing), and Measurement System Analysis
• Manage the document control master list as per AVA’s document control procedure, customer specific requirements, ISO 9001:2015 and IATF 16949:2016 standards
• Review, update and submit PPAP - Process Flow, Control Plans, FMEA, Capability Studies, Layout, etc. for new and existing products
• Develop, implement, and manage key performance indicators (KPIs) for each area of responsibility
• Set department objectives/KPIs, review and assess ongoing performance of direct reports
• Executing root cause analysis for variation related to Department, Line, Station, Individual, Supplier performance that is not meeting Quality expectations and share results with impacted Process Owners
• Benchmark industry trends and present analysis/recommendations to Senior Management
• Analyzes processes for continuous improvements and failure modes
• Analyzes processes for stability and capability
• Maintains both supplier and customer quality standards
• Reports and presents quality information including quality improvement plans
• Act as primary contact for all supplier, internal, and customer related quality issues
• Analyzes in-process defects, investigates root cause, and develops countermeasures
• Build data governance, data quality, metadata strategies and roadmap to align priorities with strategic objectives, and values
• Design, develop, and deliver data quality and metadata solutions for the enterprise and promote their adoption.
• Create and manage metadata and data quality metrics for each Area / Process / Model. Coach Operational and technical teams towards improving data maturity and data quality.
• Serve as a subject matter expert for data quality, metadata management and as an enterprise advocate for Enterprise Data Management standards and policies
• Identify areas for data quality improvements and help to resolve data quality problems through the appropriate choice of error detection and correction, process control and improvement, or process design strategies
• Ensure tools and technology effectively support the enterprise needs for data quality and metadata management. Provide direction and requirements for custom solutions in areas where vendor-based solutions are identified as a gap. Also, provide recommendation for upgrade as required
• Drive any necessary culture change and improvement in business performance to deliver strategic goals related to Quality
• Actively lead the reduction of Line Defects, Customer Complaints, MMOs, KDQRS, Cost of Quality and in-house scrap and waste
• Implement new quality processes and systems where appropriate
• Assist in continuous improvement activities throughout the business ensuring that problems are prevented and that customer requirements are met with any problems resolved effectively and economically
• Work to prevent non-conformances, customer complaints, concession and rework alongside Engineering and Operations to develop corrective and preventative actions within required time-frame
• Develop the Quality Management System, updating procedures and train team members where required
• Maintain procedures and processes to IATF16949 & ISO9001, ensuring companywide compliance to Kenyan, legal and customer specifications and standards
• Ensure that corrective actions are delivered, and non-compliance issues are resolved on time
• Develop improvement and communication protocol within all systems and processes across the business
• Report on Quality activities on a regular basis to the Senior Management team, ensuring accurate and timely reporting of the relevant Key Performance Indicators

Required qualifications and experience:

• Significant experience in a high-volume manufacturing environment, preferably automotive.
• Six Sigma/Lean Manufacturing skills.
• Ability to drive root cause analysis of functional issues.
• Experience of dealing with customers and suppliers.
• Minimum 10 years progressive work experience in Quality Assurance or similar role.
• Relevant manufacturing/engineering degree is preferred.
• Knowledge of and ability to execute statistical process control activities, measurement systems analysis and variable data analysis.
• Must be able to manage high-demand workloads.
• Solid auditing skills, capable of driving issue resolution as a seasoned team player.
• Experience with e-learning platforms.
• Knowledge of systematic quality tools/software such as Q-pulse.
• Knowledge of, ISO 9001:2015 and IATF 16949:2016 standards and accompanying certification.

Critical Competencies required:

• Competent in problem solving and decision making
• Outstanding organization and planning skills
• Ability to present complex information to a variety of audiences
• Ability to manage a variety of cross-functional team members
• Excellent verbal, written communication and presentation skills with the ability to interact professionally with a diverse group of audiences
• Strong understanding of business goals and standards for customer service
• Highly motivated with the ability to work independently
• MS Suite proficiency
• Experience in collecting and analyzing data
• Strong leadership capabilities
• A person of high integrity