General Manager – Head of Quality & Safety India

Mission of job:
As the Head of Quality India, you will oversee both regional and plant-level quality management. You will ensure the highest safety and quality standards across all functions, including manufacturing, customer, and supplier quality within the region. Acting as the interface between global and regional functions, you will ensure alignment with customer requirements and internal KPIs.
Additionally, as the Plant Quality Manager in Pune, you will manage quality across production processes, lead the quality team, handle customer audits, claims, and drive continuous quality and safety improvements.
Education required:
B.E. (Mechanical/Auto/Electronical)
Professional Experience:
•    +15 years of experience in Automotive manufacturing industry in an international business environment
•    Ideally, 5 years in a similar position, however, can also be a strong candidate from 2nd row.
•    Technical understanding of manufacturing process, knowledge of products (ideally for pneumatic brake systems).
•    Knowledge of quality management systems, systematic problem-solving techniques, preventive quality tools
•    Expat-experience is preferred, however, not must for candidate having right skills.

Task and Responsibility:
•    Implement and manage a group-wide process-oriented quality and product safety management system, and cybersecurity requirements in Region India.
•    Define and approve regional quality policies, strategies, and targets; establish and monitor standards, guidelines, and KPIs; report to the regional MD/CEO.
•    Negotiate quality agreements and contracts with major regional customers, including warranty and goodwill terms.
•    Establish and evaluate regional Quality, Product Safety, and Technical Compliance organizations, monitor effectiveness and report regionally.
•    Conduct risk assessments, manage field/recall campaigns, and ensure compliance with product integrity guidelines.
•    Nominate and evaluate regional and location-specific Quality Managers in alignment with regional MDs and Global Quality Management.
•    Set and execute quality goals, implement objectives, and align activities with group goals, coordinating with the Global Quality Head and location MD.
•    Consolidate quality and safety KPIs, conduct local Q-reviews, and implement improvement measures, reporting results to global management.
•    Organize and deliver quality and safety training, promote quality awareness, and drive operational excellence.
•    Implement APQP, control plans, and ensure product quality and safety; continuously update control plans and instructions in production.
•    Oversee operational quality activities, including root cause analysis, testing equipment control, and maintaining a materials laboratory.
•    Ensure incoming part quality through inspections and manage deviations.
•    Implement the customer satisfaction process, handle claims, support product and customer service activities, and assist with audits and improvement programs.
•    Maintain audit planning, execution, and optimization, ensuring support for customer audits.

Key figures (KPI):

•    Customer 0-Mil ppm
•    Highest customer satisfaction awarded by customer recognition
•    Internal & external cost of poor quality
•    Functional Test Failure (FTF) rate
•    Successful & on time product launches
•    Supplier rejection rate (ppm)
•    Complete all planned activities related to the Management System as per plan. No Major NC's in external audits.
•    Completion of product and process audits as per annual plans & customer requirement
•    ISO TS 16949 Certification

Professional Competency

•    Industry Knowledge: Extensive understanding of the automotive industry, including VDA 6.3 & 6.5, IATF 16949, APQP, FMEA, and PPAP.
•    Problem Solving & Improvement: Proficient in Six Sigma, Lean methodologies, and process improvements.
•    Digital & Technical Skills: Capable of driving digitalization activities within the Quality department, based on a well-defined strategy, to enhance efficiency and performance.
•    Leadership & Communication: Strong interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills; excellent in coaching, mentoring, teamwork, and influencing global teams.
•    Global Collaboration: Adept at leading and collaborating with diverse, cross- functional teams across different global regions.

Apply only if you have Global / International Exposure in a large MNC (European, German preferred)