Quality Group Leader

Toyota Boshoku America•Jackson, TN

About The Position

Under general supervision, oversees quality control operations during the designated shift, maintaining the overall plant quality system and coordinating daily job assignments. Directs Team Leaders and Team Members in the assigned manufacturing area and manages the group as an operational unit to meet company goals and targets for safety, product quality, customer satisfaction, accuracy, productivity, cost reduction, housekeeping, efficiency, training, teamwork, and morale. The role supervises staffing, performance, and team relations; leads manufacturing processes using Toyota Production System techniques and Toyota Boshoku Business Practices; monitors production, materials, quality, and equipment; and leads continuous improvement and workplace safety activities. It also trains and coaches team members, maintains operational records and reports, and coordinates communication across teams, departments, and shifts. In its quality-control function, the role supports the Quality Manager and plant quality system, establishes standards that meet or exceed customer requirements, coordinates containment and investigations, resolves internal and external quality problems, and works across departments to promote consistent quality processes. The position works in office and manufacturing environments, with minimal travel and use of required personal protective equipment in designated areas.

Requirements

High school diploma, GED, or equivalent required; an associate’s degree is required, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
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 job functions.
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 address 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; collaborate across departments and prioritize activities.
Ability to read instruction manuals, blueprints, and specifications.
Ability to plan, supervise, and perform functions of assigned areas; adapt to changing production conditions and unforeseen demands.
Effective listening, leadership, verbal and written communication, and interpersonal skills in English.
Ability to multitask, handle diversity, and provide leadership through problem resolution.
Strong organization, time management, and planning skills, including managing multiple tasks with tight deadlines.
Ability to teach fundamental skills and facilitate Job Instruction Training.
Previous experience with integrated computer programs or applications; solid working knowledge of Microsoft Office and other computer-based applications.
Willingness to complete and use required training, including applicable forklift, tugger, truck, overhead crane, hazardous-waste, cross-training, and computer-system training; required certifications must be passed where specified.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree preferred.
Automotive industry experience preferred; parts production, quality, or production control experience is a plus.
Working knowledge and experience with Toyota Production System (TPS) and the Production Efficiency (PEFF) system preferred.
ERP system experience, such as Oracle, preferred.

Responsibilities

Supervise Team Leaders and Team Members, including coordinating hiring and placement with the Assistant Manager, monitoring staffing and attendance, managing performance, and recommending corrective action.
Apply company rules, policies, and practices consistently, and foster positive team relations, communication, teamwork, and morale.
Direct production work and staffing assignments to meet schedules, department goals, and manufacturing standards.
Use Toyota Production System techniques to standardize processes, reduce variation, identify waste, and eliminate waste; develop and document standardized work procedures.
Apply Toyota Boshoku Business Practices to direct floor activities and correct substandard conditions.
Perform Team Leader or Team Member duties as needed to maintain stable, efficient operations.
Monitor parts and material flow, productivity, quality, kanbans, and inventory; take corrective action when necessary.
Ensure quality goals and standards are met, confirm correct use of quality systems, and follow feedback, escalation, investigation, and containment procedures.
Troubleshoot quality, safety, and production problems; identify change points and adjust operations to maintain quality, safety, availability, efficiency, and cost targets.
Evaluate machinery, tools, and equipment; coordinate repairs and participate in equipment evaluations.
Set and monitor KPI targets and boards, and initiate and participate in safety, quality, productivity, and cost improvement projects.
Lead implementation of team member suggestions and management-directed initiatives.
Maintain workplace safety, including compliance with regulations, PPE requirements, and company policies; participate in ergonomic exercises, 5S, accident investigations, and safety audits.
Assess workstation ergonomics and implement countermeasures and job rotation to support safe working conditions and team member well-being.
Maintain knowledge of hazardous-waste, spill-response, and plant-security procedures, and monitor team member health and safety.
Orient, train, and coach team members; assign qualified trainers; maintain training matrices and instruction manuals; and support performance development and cross-training.
Collect, record, analyze, and maintain operational information, reports, spreadsheets, records, files, and logs, including production, shortages, scrap, quality, maintenance, time, attendance, and training information.
Communicate regularly with team members, upstream and downstream areas, support departments, and other shifts to support stable operations and two-way communication.
Support the Quality Manager and overall plant quality system, and establish and maintain quality standards that meet or exceed customer requirements.
Communicate customer and supplier quality issues to manufacturing, production control, and quality control departments.
Initiate containment and investigation to prevent defective products from reaching other areas or customers; investigate internal defects and implement countermeasures.
Communicate with customers and suppliers to resolve quality problems and work with all departments and levels of management to promote quality.