Quality Group Leader

Toyota Boshoku America•Jackson, TN

4d•Onsite

About The Position

Under general supervision, the Quality Group Leader oversees quality control operations during the designated shift, maintains the plant quality system, and coordinates daily job assignments. The role directs Team Leaders and Team Members in an assigned manufacturing area and manages the group as an operational unit to achieve company goals and targets for safety, product quality, customer satisfaction, accuracy, productivity, cost reduction, housekeeping, efficiency, training, teamwork, and morale, in accordance with company policies and manufacturing and quality standards. The position provides first-line supervision, including coordinating hiring and placement with the Assistant Manager, monitoring staffing and attendance, managing and appraising performance, and maintaining positive team member relations. It leads production operations using Toyota Production System techniques and Toyota Boshoku Business Practices, supports standardized work, assigns and adjusts work, monitors materials and production, addresses quality and safety issues, and coordinates equipment repairs and quality investigations. The Quality Group Leader leads continuous improvement, safety, and training activities; maintains KPI information, records, reports, and training documentation; and communicates with team members, other shifts, upstream and downstream groups, support departments, customers, and suppliers. Functionally, the role supports the Quality Manager and plant quality system, establishes standards meeting customer requirements, investigates defects, initiates containment and corrective measures, and works across departments to promote quality. The position works in an open office and in various manufacturing environments, with minimal travel. The automotive plant environment has moderate noise and may involve cold, dust, heat, or odors. Required PPE and personal attire standards may apply in designated areas. The job involves sustained attention and physical activity, including walking, standing, and sitting for extended periods; inspecting, adjusting, and operating equipment; occasional climbing, stooping, bending, reaching, grasping, and manipulating materials; and occasional lifting of up to 30–50 pounds, with or without assistance.

Requirements

High school diploma, GED, or equivalent, and an Associate’s degree; an equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
At least three years of relevant manufacturing experience.
At least two years of leadership or supervisory experience.
Demonstrated knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform leadership responsibilities.
General understanding and practical work experience with automotive quality systems and processes.
General understanding and working knowledge of inspection standards and check fixtures.
Ability to work a fixed or rotating shift schedule, including daily or weekend overtime, and maintain on-call flexibility to control abnormal conditions.
Thorough understanding of company products, trade terminology, quality management and control systems, manufacturing processes, material controls, workflow, scheduling, kanban, machine operation, and company policies and standards.
Basic math and analytical skills and ability to facilitate problem solving and resolution.
Ability to work with dynamic teams and demanding customers in a fast-paced, multicultural environment; work across departments and prioritize activities.
Ability to read instruction manuals, blueprints, and specifications; plan, supervise, and perform functions of assigned areas.
Flexibility in a changing production environment and ability to adapt available skills and equipment to unforeseen demands or problems.
Effective listening, leadership, communication, interpersonal, organization, time-management, and planning skills; ability to multitask, handle diversity, and work with all organizational levels.
Ability to implement plans to control and maintain safety, quality, 5S, cost, and efficiency in assigned areas.
Ability to teach fundamental skills and facilitate Job Instruction Training.
Strong written and verbal English communication skills.
Experience with integrated computer programs or applications and demonstrated working knowledge of Microsoft Office and other computer-based applications.
Must be willing to complete and use required training and certifications, including forklift, tugger, truck, overhead crane, hazardous waste, and computer systems training.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree.
Automotive industry experience, particularly in parts production, quality, or production control.
Working knowledge and experience with Toyota Production System (TPS) and Production Efficiency (PEFF).
ERP system experience, such as Oracle.

Responsibilities

Oversee quality control operations during the designated shift and maintain the plant quality system and daily assignments.
Supervise Team Leaders and Team Members, including coordinating hiring and placement with the Assistant Manager, monitoring staffing, hours, overtime, job rotation, and absenteeism, and managing performance and corrective action.
Maintain positive team member relations and provide direction and motivation focused on safety, quality, efficiency, productivity, cost reduction, and morale.
Lead manufacturing and production operations in the assigned area, deliver department hoshin goals, and keep work aligned with targets and implementation schedules.
Use Toyota Production System techniques to standardize processes, reduce variation, identify waste, and eliminate waste.
Develop and document standardized work procedures and direct work assignments based on production requirements and schedules.
Apply Toyota Boshoku Business Practices to direct floor activities and correct substandard situations; perform Team Leader or Team Member duties when necessary to maintain operations.
Monitor parts, materials, productivity, quality, kanbans, and inventory, and take corrective action as needed.
Ensure quality goals, standards, feedback loops, systems, and escalation procedures are followed; partner with Quality on investigations and containment.
Troubleshoot daily quality, safety, and production issues; identify change points and take action to maintain quality, safety, availability, production efficiency, and cost.
Evaluate machinery, tools, and equipment; coordinate repairs and participate in frequent evaluations.
Set and monitor KPI targets and boards, update graphs and records, and initiate and lead continuous improvement activities and projects.
Maintain a safe working environment, ensure compliance with safety policies and PPE requirements, and lead or participate in ergonomics, 5S, accident investigations, and safety audits.
Conduct ergonomic assessments and implement countermeasures and job rotation; maintain knowledge of hazardous waste, spill response, and plant security procedures; monitor team member safety and health.
Train and coach team members in applicable quality, environmental, safety, job performance, setup, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement topics.
Oversee new team member and cross-training, assign qualified trainers, maintain training matrices and instruction manuals, and support development through evaluations, training plans, feedback, and coaching.
Collect, record, and analyze assigned-area information; prepare reports and spreadsheets; maintain production, quality, maintenance, attendance, training, and other required records.
Communicate regularly with team members, upstream and downstream areas, support departments, and other shifts to support efficient operations and two-way communication.
Support the Quality Manager and overall plant quality system; establish and maintain standards that meet or exceed customer requirements.
Communicate customer and supplier quality issues to relevant departments and communicate with customers or suppliers to resolve quality problems.
Investigate internal defects and implement countermeasures to improve plant processes and prevent defective products from reaching customers.
Ensure quality processes and procedures are followed plant-wide and work with all departments and management levels to promote quality.