Quality Management Professional

Schaeffler•Troy, MI

11d•Onsite

About The Position

Schaeffler is a dynamic global technology company with a long history of private ownership and an entrepreneurial spirit. As a partner to major automobile manufacturers, as well as key players in the aerospace and industrial sectors, Schaeffler offers numerous development opportunities. This role involves implementing quality procedures, tools, and methods, analyzing quality-related information, and supporting internal and external audits. The position also requires acting as the local Policy Owner for Quality & Continuous Improvement, defining annual quality objectives, and overseeing inspection protocols for prototype components. Collaboration with external and sister manufacturing plants, as well as leading the response to customer and supplier complaints using systematic problem-solving methodologies, are key aspects of this role.

Requirements

Degree in Quality Management, Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a comparable field.
7+ years of professional experience in Quality Management, ideally in a manufacturing or industrial environment.
Strong knowledge of QM systems, certification requirements, audits, complaint handling, and continuous improvement methods (8D, 5-Why, and FMEA).
Demonstrated ability to build quality processes from the ground up within a fast-paced start-up, new business unit, or virtual matrix organization without relying on heavy legacy bureaucracy.
Deep, hands-on expertise in ISO 9001:2015 implementation and certification (Lead Auditor certification strongly preferred).
Familiarity with IATF 16949 or VDA 6.3 is a plus for cross-plant alignment.
Strong understanding of precision mechanical and electromechanical inspection methods, GD&T, metrology, and testing protocols for low-volume prototypes and high-precision assemblies.
Willingness to travel domestically and internationally to sister divisions, production plants, and key suppliers/customers as required.
Must be legally authorized to work in the US.

Nice To Haves

Lead Auditor certification strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Implement quality procedures, tools and methods in business processes and operations, for an organization or a function assigned.
Elaborate and update guidelines, methods and processes, and provide instructions to organizations for proper application.
Analyze, file and report on all quality-related information.
Establish, maintain, and continuously improve documentation needed for certification and carry out external Quality Management (QM) reporting for official authorities.
Support internal and external inspections and/or audits and provide respective documentation.
Collaborate with and provide advice to staff and management in QM-related topics and provide respective trainings.
Act as the local Policy Owner for Quality & Continuous Improvement; identify regulatory, legal, and customer-specific requirements, and ensure documented forwarding and implementation across all process and document owners.
Define annual quality objectives in collaboration with the Managing Director. Continuously track quality performance indicators, evaluate stakeholder feedback and SWOT/risk analyses, and prepare the annual Management Review to verify QMS effectiveness and efficiency.
Establish and oversee rigorous incoming inspection protocols, measurement plans, and acceptance criteria for prototype components and sub-assemblies (e.g., precision gears, bearings, motors, sensors, and controllers) to ensure hardware integrity prior to customer delivery or internal system testing.
Partner with external and sister Schaeffler manufacturing plants across various geographical locations to establish and standardize the right quality practices as products transition from prototype to serial production.
Lead the immediate response to internal, external customer, and supplier complaints. Utilize systematic problem-solving methodologies (e.g., 8D, 5-Why, FMEA) to analyze returned or defective hardware, eliminate root causes, and feed lessons learned back into the engineering and manufacturing teams.