The Head of Quality leads the overall quality function for the organization, ensuring that all metal products meet customer requirements, industry standards, and regulatory norms. This role oversees quality assurance (QA), quality control (QC), supplier quality, system audits, and continual improvement initiatives across the plant(s).
Develop and implement the organization’s overall quality strategy in alignment with business goals.
Lead and mentor the QA/QC team; build capability in metallurgy, inspection, testing, and problem-solving.
Drive a culture of quality, safety, and compliance across all departments.
Maintain and improve QMS based on ISO 9001 / IATF 16949 (if automotive) / ISO 14001 / ISO 45001.
Conduct internal audits and manage external audits from customers or certification bodies.
Ensure calibration and maintenance of all inspection and testing equipment.
Oversee inspection and testing of raw materials, in-process components, and finished products.
Review and approve product specifications, control plans, PPAP, FMEA, and quality documentation.
Ensure process capability (Cp/Cpk), measurement systems (MSA), and statistical control (SPC) are in place.
Serve as the primary contact for customer quality issues, audits, and technical discussions.
Lead analysis and resolution of customer complaints (e.g., 8D, RCA, CAPA).
Monitor and improve key metrics such as PPM, rejection rate, and warranty claims (if applicable).
Evaluate and qualify suppliers through audits and performance assessments.
Drive supplier corrective actions and improvements to ensure raw material and component quality.
Ensure compliance with regulatory standards for metals (REACH, RoHS, mechanical/chemical property norms, etc.).
Lead Six Sigma, Lean, Kaizen, and other improvement activities to reduce defects and cost of quality.
Identify and implement opportunities for process optimization, scrap reduction, and yield improvement.
Bachelor’s degree in Metallurgical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or related field.
Master’s degree preferred (optional).
Certifications: Six Sigma Green/Black Belt, Lead Auditor ISO 9001/IATF 16949.
4-5 years of quality experience in the metal industry (e.g., steel, forging, casting, extrusion, fabrication).
Strong knowledge of metallurgical processes: heat treatment, machining, forming, welding, coating, etc.
Proven leadership experience in managing quality teams and customer interactions.
Strong understanding of metallurgy, mechanical testing (UTS, hardness, impact), NDT (UT, RT, MPI, DPI).
Expertise in statistical techniques, SPC, MSA, FMEA, control plans.
Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
Outstanding communication and customer-handling skills.
Ability to drive cross-functional quality improvements.
Knowledge of ERP/QMS software.