Quality Head

Title: Quality Head (Head of Department – Quality)

**Department:**Quality Assurance / Quality Control

**Location:**Manufacturing Plant (Khed-Shivapur)

Role Type: Full-Time

Reports To: Plant Head / Director – Operations

**Grade:**G4 (Senior Managerial / Department Head Cadre)

Job Purpose

To lead the Quality function for the Khed-Shivapur plant as Department Head — establishing, implementing and sustaining a robust Quality Management System (ISO 9001:2015) across incoming, in-process and final inspection, supplier and outsourced fabrication, and customer-facing quality — so that products consistently meet customer specifications and drawings, rejections and customer complaints are reduced, and a culture of continuous improvement is built across the organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the Quality department; plan, allocate and review the work of quality engineers, inspectors, trainees and apprentices, and build their capability through regular coaching.
• Establish, implement, control and maintain the plant's Quality Management System and documentation (quality manual, inspection procedures, work instructions, formats) in line with ISO 9001:2015 and applicable customer requirements.
• Plan and conduct internal, process and product audits (ISO 9001:2015, IATF 16949 / VDA 6.3 approach); ensure timely closure of audit findings and maintain all audit-related records.
• Oversee incoming, in-process and final inspection, including PDIR preparation and verification against drawings and check sheets, new-part and layout inspections, and first part approval (FPA) with daily in-process reports.
• Handle customer complaints end to end using 8D, CAPA and Seven QC Tools; conduct internal and external rejection analysis (weekly, monthly, yearly) and prepare CAPA reports with root-cause and preventive action.
• Prepare and manage PPAP / re-PPAP for new and re-engineered products, and issue firewall documentation and QA alerts where required.
• Lead process controls and quality improvement in fabrication, panel assembly and testing; deploy SOPs, checkpoints and operator training to reduce rejection and rework.
• Drive PPM / RPH improvement initiatives and customer-complaint prevention using SPC analysis and Measurement System Analysis (MSA) / gauge studies.
• Oversee outsourced vendors performing fabrication activities such as punching, bending, welding and powder coating of electrical panels; monitor schedules and compliance with technical and safety standards, and resolve quality issues with vendors.
• Conduct supplier audits and manage supplier quality performance to ensure quality, timely delivery and adherence to specifications; maintain supplier inspection reports.
• Lead the establishment and operation of a state-of-the-art Test Laboratory to strengthen quality assurance across the organization, including testing, proof-testing and lab-testing activities.
• Maintain and monitor calibration records and schedules for all measuring instruments, gauges and devices.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives — Kaizen, 5S, Quality Circle and Poka-Yoke (error-proofing) — through Gemba and shop-floor activities.
• Generate and maintain quality MIS, statistical reports and defect graphs; present KPIs to management review and use data-driven analysis to identify root causes.
• Collaborate with Production, Design / Engineering, Stores, Purchase and Sales to proactively address quality challenges and meet customer expectations.
• Run and develop the internal training centre; conduct training on QMS, process audits, inspection methods and quality tools for operators, trainee engineers and apprentices.

Qualifications & Experience

• B.E./B.Tech (Mechanical/Production/Electrical/Industrial) or equivalent; Diploma in Engineering with extensive relevant experience may be considered.
• 12–15 years of progressive experience in Quality Assurance / Quality Control in a manufacturing environment (fabrication, sheet metal, machining, forging or electrical panel manufacturing), including at least 3–5 years in a team-leading / departmental role.
• Certifications preferred: ISO 9001:2015 Lead Auditor / Internal Auditor, IATF 16949 / VDA 6.3 process auditor, NDT Level II (Liquid Penetrant Testing), Six Sigma / Quality Core Tools training.
• Proven exposure to customer audits, PPAP submissions and customer-complaint handling.

Key Skills & Competencies

• Strong knowledge of ISO 9001:2015 QMS, IATF 16949 / VDA 6.3 process audits, and Quality Core Tools (APQP, PPAP, FMEA, SPC, MSA).
• Proficiency in Seven QC Tools, 8D and CAPA problem-solving, and root-cause analysis.
• Strong engineering drawing interpretation including GD&T; inspection methods, gauges and measuring instruments, and calibration control.
• Practical and theoretical knowledge of NDT (Level II – Liquid Penetrant Testing) and proof / lab testing processes and test benches.
• Hands-on understanding of fabrication, sheet metal, machining, welding, powder coating and panel assembly and testing processes.
• Working knowledge of ERP systems for inspection records, supplier reports and traceability.
• Kaizen, 5S, Quality Circle and Poka-Yoke implementation skills.
• Strong analytical, MIS and report-writing ability; proficiency in MS Excel.
• Leadership, team development and training skills; strong communication and cross-functional and vendor coordination.

Key Interfaces

• **Internal:**Plant Head / Director – Operations, Production, Design / Engineering, Stores, Purchase, Maintenance, Sales and Service, HR.
• **External:**Customers (complaints, audits, PPAP), suppliers and outsourced fabrication vendors, third-party inspection / certification bodies, calibration laboratories.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Customer complaints and PPM / RPH reduction (internal and external rejection %)
• First-pass yield and reduction in rework / scrap cost
• Internal and customer audit results and timely closure of findings / CAPA
• Supplier and outsourced-vendor quality rating and incoming rejection %
• On-time PPAP / documentation approvals and calibration compliance
• Number of Kaizen / improvement projects completed and training hours delivered
• Test Laboratory establishment and operational milestones

Pay: ₹60,000.00 - ₹350,000.00 per month

Benefits:

• Paid sick time
• Provident Fund

Work Location: In person