Head of Plant Quality Angott Search Group - Warsaw, IN, United States

Tagged:

Automotive Angott Search Group is pleased to partner with a growing Michigan based automotive manufacturer in the search for a Head of Plant Manufacturing Quality. This is a unique opportunity for a hands-on, high-accountability quality leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment and has experience building and leading manufacturing quality organizations. The ideal candidate will play a critical role in establishing quality systems, developing teams, and supporting an EV manufacturing operation through pilot builds, production ramp, and full-scale production.

Key Responsibilities:

Lead plant quality strategy and execution through pilot builds, production ramp, and steady-state manufacturing. Establish and maintain quality systems, controls, documentation, and standards required for successful production. Oversee Quality Assurance activities, including system audits, process audits, quality documentation, compliance, and layered verification of manufacturing controls. Lead Quality Control activities, including inspection strategies, metrology, gage management, end-of-line quality processes, and product conformance initiatives. Manage supplier quality processes, including receiving inspection, supplier nonconformance, root cause analysis, containment actions, and corrective action management. Own build quality execution for pilot and pre-production events, ensuring tooling, fixtures, processes, and manufacturing readiness meet production requirements. Develop and maintain launch quality plans, including containment strategies, defect tracking, escalation processes, and production readiness criteria. Build, lead, and develop a high-performing quality organization consisting of managers, engineers, auditors, inspectors, technicians, and specialists. Drive quality improvement through structured problem solving, training, standard work, and shop floor engagement. Partner cross-functionally to improve process capability, throughput, and product quality. Establish and monitor key quality metrics, including defect trends, audit performance, first-time-through results, cost of poor quality, and launch readiness. Champion a zero-defect mindset by promoting prevention, early detection, disciplined response, and sustainable corrective actions.

Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline required; advanced degree preferred. 10+ years of progressive quality leadership experience within automotive, EV, or complex high-volume manufacturing environments. Experience leading plant-level quality operations and building quality organizations. Proven experience working with suppliers on quality issues, containment, recovery, and continuous improvement. Strong knowledge of automotive quality systems and methodologies, including APQP, PFMEA, Control Plans, MSA, SPC, 8D, root cause analysis, and corrective action processes. Deep expertise in manufacturing quality systems, process audits, inspection strategies, metrology, gage systems, welding quality, and nonconformance management. Demonstrated ability to develop teams, establish operating rhythms, and create accountability within a manufacturing environment. Ability to thrive in a startup or high-growth environment requiring urgency, adaptability, and the ability to build processes from the ground up. Job # 2337 Share