Job Description

The Quality Engineer/Planning Section Manager is responsible for supporting the implementation and maintenance of the Quality Management System (QMS) and overseeing day-to-day quality operations. This role supervises quality personnel, ensures adherence to established processes, and drives immediate corrective actions to maintain product and process quality.

1. QMS Support & Compliance

Support maintenance of the QMS in compliance with ISO 9001 / IATF 16949.
Ensure adherence to document control and procedures.
Assist with internal audits and external audit preparation.
Track corrective actions (CAPA).
Maintain quality records.

2. Supervision & Team Leadership

Supervise Quality Engineers and Quality Planning/Supplier Development Specialist.
Provide daily direction and prioritize work.
Train and coach team members.
Escalate issues as needed.

3. Product & Process Quality Oversight

Ensure execution of inspection plans.
Monitor production quality.
Lead containment activities.
Support problem-solving (8D, 5 Whys).
Support development and maintenance of PFMEA and Control Plans.
Ensure process controls are followed on the shop floor.

4. APQP / PPAP Responsibilities

Support APQP activities for new product launches and engineering changes.
Assist in preparation and review of PPAP documentation.
Ensure submission requirements are met and documentation is complete.
Coordinate with engineering and production to validate processes.
Support dimensional results, capability studies, and documentation accuracy.

5. Supplier Quality Support

Assist with supplier quality issues.
Support incoming inspection and containment.
Track supplier corrective actions.
Communicate supplier issues.

6. Customer Issue Support

Support customer complaint investigations.
Assist with containment and corrective actions.
Ensure internal communication.

7. Data Monitoring & Reporting

Track scrap, defects, and inspection data.
Support trend analysis.
Maintain documentation.

8. Continuous Improvement

Identify improvement opportunities.
Support Lean initiatives.
Participate in root cause analysis.

Qualifications

Associate or Bachelor’s degree preferred.
3–7 years in manufacturing quality.
Supervisory experience preferred.
Experience with ISO 9001 / IATF 16949.

Technical Skills

Basic quality tools (5 Whys, Fishbone, 8D).
Inspection and measurement tools.
Control plans, PFMEA, and APQP/PPAP familiarity.

Certifications (Preferred)

ASQ CQI.
Internal Auditor.
Lean/Six Sigma Yellow or Green Belt.

Key Competencies

Attention to detail, leadership, communication, problem-solving.

Success Metrics (KPIs)

Defect rates, response time, CAPA support, audit readiness.

Reporting Structure

Reports to: Quality Manager.
Direct Reports: Quality Engineers and Quality Planning/Supplier Development Specialist

CODE OF CONDUCT

Indiana Automotive Fasteners is a team environment. We operate with mission-driven integrity. Our mission of “Ensuring your family’s SAFETY through our team’s QUALITY” is at the heart of all our decisions and actions. We exemplify ethical practices, professionalism, and personal integrity, creating respectful and trusting collaborative work environments where sound advice is valued. We contribute to the IAF team by living the core values of T.E.A.M.W.O.R.K.

• We are Trustworthy. We do the right things right every time. We do our jobs with honest effort every time, every day. We follow all Safety, Quality, and Work Policies.
• We are Engaged. We are eager and enthusiastic to help our team succeed. We persistently pursue excellence every day. We work together to continuously improve.
• We are Accountable. We are responsible for every product and process we touch. Our choices and actions matter because our work matters. We produce Excellent Quality fasteners. Our work is a critical component to critical features on vehicles. It is our responsibility to follow our Quality-controlled procedures to ensure the Safety of our products.
• We are Motivated. Our work drives us. We can achieve, and we will achieve. We care about what we do.
• We are Welcoming. We encourage everyone’s best. We greet everyone with a friendly smile. We care about each other.
• We are Open-minded. We ask. We listen. We consider. We are curious about new possibilities. We are not content with the status quo, and we believe that our diverse backgrounds are what makes us stronger, so we listen to learn from each other.
• We are Respectful. We listen to understand. We help each other. We believe every team member matters and deserves respect.
• We are Knowledge-seeking We Genchi Genbutsu: Go, Look, See. We keep learning, we keep growing. We strive to understand, so we investigate problems to learn from our mistakes. We train and develop our team so that we continue to grow and improve.

Work Environment

• Work Environment: Manufacturing (potential exposure to hazardous chemicals)
• Lighting: Adequate.
• Ventilation: Adequate.
• Temperature: Not temperature-controlled.