Johannesburg: Quality Engineer (Heavy Steel Products Manufacturing Plant – IATF 16949, ISO 9001, VDA ) – Alberton

QUALIFICATIONS Education Level: BSc / BEng / BTech in Mechanical, Industrial, or Quality Engineering Education Program: Black Belt qualification Professional Registrations and Certifications: Certified Lead Auditor (IATF or ISO) EXPERIENCE: Years of Experience: At least 10 years of experience in automotive manufacturing quality roles Deep understanding of IATF 16949, ISO 9001, VDA 6.3, and customer-specific requirements Proven track record in auditing, APQP, PPAP, FMEA, MSA, SPC, and root cause analysis KNOWLEDGE: Certified Lead Auditor (IATF or ISO) Six Sigma Black Belt or Lean Manufacturing certification Proficient in reading engineering drawings Excellent analytical, reporting and communication skills Experience with German, Japanese, or American OEM requirements (e.g., BMW, Toyota, Ford) Quality Management System (QMS) Leadership Maintain, update, and audit the QMS in line with IATF 16949, ISO 9001, and other industry-specific standards. Conduct gap analyses and lead continuous improvement initiatives. Facilitate internal audits and coordinate external audits (e.g., OEM, ISO). Strategic Quality Planning Develop and implement plant-wide quality strategies aligned with business and customer objectives. Monitor key quality KPIs (PPM, scrap rate, cost of quality) and lead problem-solving teams to improve them. Supplier Quality Management Oversee supplier quality audits and ensure compliance with incoming quality standards. Collaborate with purchasing and engineering to evaluate and qualify new suppliers. Product & Process Validation Approve PPAPs, FMEAs, control plans, and process flow diagrams for new products or engineering changes. Support APQP and launch readiness for new model introductions and tooling changes. Root Cause Analysis & Problem Solving Lead structured problem-solving using 8D, 5 Why, Fishbone, or similar tools. Drive corrective and preventive action (CAPA) implementation across departments. Customer Quality Liaison Act as the primary quality contact for OEM and Tier 1 customers. Manage warranty analysis, field returns, and customer complaints using robust documentation and communication. Training & Mentoring Coach and develop junior engineers, technicians, and quality inspectors. Deliver training on quality tools, standards, and systems across production teams.