Job Description

About the role

Job Purpose

The Design Quality Engineering Specialist is acting as Quality window with R&D for Quality related activities.

The aim of his/her position is to assure that design and development processes are managed with proper level of accuracy, effectively and efficiently so that all applicable requirements (Bridgestone’s, customer and regulation) are satisfied.

This will support timely and flawless start-up of business, smooth communications along the product lifecycle and prevention of potential issues along the value chain (inside and outside the organization).

The position will be based in Italy, Castel Romano (Rome) at Tech Center Europe reporting to the Head of Design Quality, as part of EMEA Quality Management organization.

Responsibilities:

1. Act as Quality Window with R&D

Act as a quality window with R&D to support development team in the reinforcement and optimization of their internal processes to ensure that all quality related aspects are properly taken into account.

Support the cultural transformation inside R&D to reinforce focus on compliance and effective implementation of a real customer oriented approach.

Participate in the different phases of the development process highlighting and anticipating potential quality issues in order to timely implement proper actions to ensure respect of the development timeline while making sure that all applicable requirements are met.

2. Risk Management

Support R&D in the effective implementation of quality tools aimed to identify and prevent risks along the development process.

Support the implementation of the new VDA/AIAG Design FMEA guideline and make sure that R&D community has the proper knowledge of the tool and it is applied effectively in all areas.

Participate in the Design Reviews (DRs) and Stage Gate stage processes to bring quality perspective and timely highlight of potential issues. Track any deviations to design best practices and highlight risk mitigation to support the release of these deviations.

3. Communication and information flows sharing

Analyze current processes and support their improvement in order to ensure proper communication flow between R&D and other functions like manufacturing plants, Manufacturing, Product planning and others.

Contribute to establish proper channels and info exchange tools in order to prevent any potential issue related to data accuracy. Make sure product specifications issued by TCE towards BSEMEA plants are properly prepared and delivered in due time to prevent delays in the industrialization process or quality issues in the plants.

4. New Product Part Approval Process (PPAP)

Support R&D in the analysis and reinforcement of PPAP preparation process.

Make sure all the internal procedures are in line with OEM requirements and all the different steps are managed in an accurate way. Support the creation of a Bridgestone internal procedure for the OEMs which do not have a specific PPAP process.

Contribute to simplify and harmonize the different processes, where possible, in order to ensure a smoother implementation.

All the above aspects to be managed in close connection with OE Quality team.

5. Change Management

Support R&D team in the management of changes to ensure that any change (triggered by the plant or TCE) is properly reviewed and assessed.

Make sure customer notification process is implemented as per OEM’s requirements.

Ensure proper communication flow and stakeholder’s involvement.

Periodically track design related changes in manufacturing for reporting and market feedback tracking as needed.

6. Act as window with Tire Certification and Product Evaluation teams

Act as a connection point between R&D and Tire Certification group to properly identify certification requirements and ensure they are properly taken into account along the development process.

Connect with Product Evaluation team for the identification of product qualification requirements and the definition of special testing campaign in case of any potential issue highlighted during the different steps of the development process.

Qualifications & Experience Required

Education, Master, other certification:

Minimum:

• University degree in engineering

Experience:

The incumbent shall have consolidated five year working experience (preferably in the automotive industry: OEM or Tier 1 /Tier 2 supplier) in product development or quality assurance.

TechnicalSkills:

• Advanced knowledge on Tire design and technology
• Basic knowledge on tire manufacturing process
• Qualification as auditor of quality management system (e.g. ISO 9001, IATF 16949, VDA 6.3)
• Basic Knowledge of descriptive statistics and basic Quality tools (such as 8D report, 5 why, Fishbone analysis, etc...)

Languages Skills:

English: fluent

Soft/Behavioral Skills:

• The position requires high customer focus and customer oriented mindset with excellent problem solving, negotiation and communication skills to properly coordinate activities between R&D, Quality Management and BS functions (including headquarter and manufacturing plants).
• Positive mindset and win-win approach will be key ingredient for the success in this role, in order to translate daily challenges in new business opportunities.
• The incumbent must be able to understand problems from customer perspective and be able to manage them with self-confidence and autonomy.
• The position requires a structured and disciplined working approach in order to successfully manage daily work, special projects and critical situations.

Travel:

The position requires full availability to periodical travels (mainly in Europe) at Bridgestone facilities.

Driving license

Car driving driver’s license is required.