AQC-Assistant Manager- Quality Engineer

Kia Corporation

About The Position

General SummaryLead Specialists involved in automotive manufacturing quality engineering operations through broad understanding and application of problem solving, reporting, and Kia Georgia standards.Essential Duties and Responsibilities Assist in selecting, onboarding, and developing new team members with a focus on building a highly skilled quality engineering team. Provide coaching and technical training to ensure team members are proficient in quality engineering principles, including root cause analysis, statistical process control, and quality management systems. Manage team performance through regular assessments, set clear performance expectations, and foster a culture of continuous learning and professional development. Supervise daily quality assurance and control activities, ensuring compliance with company policies, safety protocols, and quality standards. Oversee quality specialists to align team efforts with company goals for quality, cost-effectiveness, efficiency, safety, and team morale. Monitor and enforce adherence to quality processes, conducting regular audits and implementing corrective actions as necessary. Gather and analyze data from internal and external sources (e.g., customer feedback, audit results, production metrics) to identify and prioritize quality issues. Utilize quality engineering methodologies (such as Six Sigma, DMAIC, and FMEA) to drive root cause analysis and corrective action planning. Set up a structured approach to continuous improvement by implementing lean tools and techniques aimed at reducing waste, improving quality, and enhancing process efficiency. Lead initiatives to continuously improve quality processes, using statistical and technical analysis to identify areas for improvement. Develop, test, and implement technical solutions to quality issues, minimizing production impact and associated costs. Collaborate with cross-functional teams (e.g., production, R&D, supply chain) to address quality challenges and ensure integrated solutions. Develop and maintain detailed work plans, schedules, and reports to monitor quality engineering activities and milestones. Coordinate activities to ensure timely completion of tasks within allocated budgets, monitoring project progress and adjusting as necessary. Manage special quality-related projects, ensuring alignment with company goals, and provide regular updates to leadership. Participate in forecasting and forward-planning activities, contributing quality engineering insights for short- and long-term production goals. Assist in defining quality targets and objectives, aligning these with production demands and market requirements. Support budgeting processes, ensuring efficient allocation of resources to quality engineering activities and special projects. Identify and recommend equipment, tools, and services necessary for quality operations, contributing to selection and purchasing decisions based on technical specifications, cost, and reliability. Collaborate with procurement and vendors to ensure quality standards are met in purchased equipment and services. The above typical duties are characteristic of this job and demonstrate a level of difficulty and are not intended to list or limit the duties that may be required or assigned to a team member in this classification.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, Electrical Engineering or related field along with five (5) to eight (8) years of progressive experience in the quality engineering and manufacturing environment, preferably within the automotive industry, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Previous experience in a supervisory or leadership role in a manufacturing environment, preferably automotive.
Ability and willingness to train and coach specialists.
Ability to multi-task with multiple priorities and time frames in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
Ability to exercise independent and timely judgement with discretion in both exercising company decisions and carrying out essential job duties that affect efficient business operations and its objectives, policies, practices, and conditions.
Strong planning and organization skills.
Analytical problem solving and effective decision-making.
Flexible schedule to work overtime, holidays and weekends as required.
Ability to travel domestically and internationally.
Experience working with spreadsheets, databases, and presentation applications and/or software
Experience with managing programs and projects.

Nice To Haves

An advanced degree in business management, quality control, or a related field are desirable.

Responsibilities

Assist in selecting, onboarding, and developing new team members with a focus on building a highly skilled quality engineering team.
Provide coaching and technical training to ensure team members are proficient in quality engineering principles, including root cause analysis, statistical process control, and quality management systems.
Manage team performance through regular assessments, set clear performance expectations, and foster a culture of continuous learning and professional development.
Supervise daily quality assurance and control activities, ensuring compliance with company policies, safety protocols, and quality standards.
Oversee quality specialists to align team efforts with company goals for quality, cost-effectiveness, efficiency, safety, and team morale.
Monitor and enforce adherence to quality processes, conducting regular audits and implementing corrective actions as necessary.
Gather and analyze data from internal and external sources (e.g., customer feedback, audit results, production metrics) to identify and prioritize quality issues.
Utilize quality engineering methodologies (such as Six Sigma, DMAIC, and FMEA) to drive root cause analysis and corrective action planning.
Set up a structured approach to continuous improvement by implementing lean tools and techniques aimed at reducing waste, improving quality, and enhancing process efficiency.
Lead initiatives to continuously improve quality processes, using statistical and technical analysis to identify areas for improvement.
Develop, test, and implement technical solutions to quality issues, minimizing production impact and associated costs.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams (e.g., production, R&D, supply chain) to address quality challenges and ensure integrated solutions.
Develop and maintain detailed work plans, schedules, and reports to monitor quality engineering activities and milestones.
Coordinate activities to ensure timely completion of tasks within allocated budgets, monitoring project progress and adjusting as necessary.
Manage special quality-related projects, ensuring alignment with company goals, and provide regular updates to leadership.
Participate in forecasting and forward-planning activities, contributing quality engineering insights for short- and long-term production goals.
Assist in defining quality targets and objectives, aligning these with production demands and market requirements.
Support budgeting processes, ensuring efficient allocation of resources to quality engineering activities and special projects.
Identify and recommend equipment, tools, and services necessary for quality operations, contributing to selection and purchasing decisions based on technical specifications, cost, and reliability.
Collaborate with procurement and vendors to ensure quality standards are met in purchased equipment and services.