Senior Manager - Corporate Quality Assurance

Senior Manager-CQA

Responsibilities & Key Deliverables

As the Manager-CQA in the Quality Assurance division at Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd, you will serve as a pivotal leader in steering quality planning initiatives at every stage of New Product Introduction. You will collaborate extensively with cross-functional teams to define and finalize product requirements aligned with the eight dimensions of quality, ensuring a comprehensive approach to product excellence.

Your responsibilities will include capturing and integrating learnings from existing products and control flow groups into the design of new products, driving continuous improvement and innovation. You will lead the finalization of Field Validation Plans, coordinate the closure of Out of Right Condition (ORC) issues effectively, and ensure the achievement of Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) targets prior to the Start of Volume Production (SOVP).

Risk management will be a key aspect of your role, requiring you to perform comprehensive risk assessments on open ORCs, develop robust mitigation strategies, and monitor their implementation in the field. You will lead the Integrated Cross-functional Group (ICG) responsible for launched product failure analysis, coordinating corrective actions by working closely with Research & Development, Sourcing, and Manufacturing teams to uphold product integrity and customer satisfaction.

Additionally, you will drive efforts to expedite customer response times by enhancing failure diagnosis and rectification processes, thereby improving service efficiency. Ensuring that all homologation requirements are met before product market launch will be critical to maintain compliance with regulatory standards.

This role also entails mentoring and leading quality teams to foster a culture of quality excellence, continuous learning, and collaboration. You will be instrumental in promoting best practices and leveraging quality assurance tools such as Six Sigma Black Belt methodologies, data analysis, and project management techniques to deliver exceptional results.

Preferred Industries

Production/Engg/R&DManufacturingEngineAutomobileTransport IndustryAutomotive Industry

Education Qualification

The ideal educational qualifications for this role comprise a Bachelor of Technology or Bachelor of Engineering degree, preferably in Production Engineering or Mechanical Engineering. Candidates with detailed academic backgrounds in manufacturing processes, quality assurance, and product development will find themselves well-prepared to meet the demands of this position.

Advanced certifications related to quality management systems (such as ASQ Certified Quality Engineer or Six Sigma Black Belt) are highly desirable and considered advantageous. These certifications demonstrate an in-depth understanding of quality techniques, problem-solving strategies, and leadership capabilities essential for overseeing complex quality assurance functions.

Continuing professional development in areas such as risk management, project management, and cross-functional team leadership will empower incumbents to navigate the evolving challenges of the industry and contribute to sustained competitive advantage.

General Experience

Prospective candidates should bring substantial industry experience, typically ranging from 12 to 15 years, focused on quality assurance within manufacturing, engineering, R&D, or automotive sectors. This breadth of general experience equips candidates with a comprehensive perspective on manufacturing processes, product lifecycle management, and quality control frameworks.

Experience working in production engineering environments where collaboration with multidisciplinary teams is crucial will enhance effectiveness in this role. The ability to manage multiple priorities, oversee complex projects, and adhere to strict quality and compliance standards is essential.

Exposure to international markets or global quality standards adds significant value, reflecting an ability to navigate diverse regulatory landscapes and customer expectations. Familiarity with data-driven decision-making, continuous improvement philosophies, and leadership of quality assurance initiatives will further strengthen candidacy.

Critical Experience

Candidates must demonstrate critical experience in leading quality planning activities across various phases of new product development, including risk assessment and mitigation strategies related to product failures and field issues. Proven capability to collaborate effectively with R&D, sourcing, and manufacturing teams to address product quality and reliability challenges is paramount.

Track record in developing and implementing comprehensive Field Validation Plans and ensuring compliance with homologation requirements prior to product launch is required. Experience in driving failure analysis and corrective action plans through cross-functional teams showcases strong leadership and problem-solving skills.

Expertise in leveraging quality assurance tools such as statistical process control, Black Belt methodologies, and data analysis for continuous process and product improvement is necessary. Demonstrated success in managing customer-focused quality initiatives that lead to faster issue resolution and enhanced customer satisfaction will set successful candidates apart.

Additionally, the ability to lead Integrated Cross-functional Groups (ICGs) and coordinate effectively among diverse stakeholders to promote quality culture and accountability will be critical for success in this position.

System Generated Core Skills

Communication SkillsCustomer SatisfactionService OrientationCustomer SensitivityNegotiationPeople ManagementQuality Assurance (QA)Product Knowledge- TransmissionData AnalysisQC ToolsBlack BeltProject Planning & ExecutionProject ManagementBenchmarkingTroubleshootingProcess Knowledge - ManufacturingAuditing

System Generated Secondary Skills

Experience Level

Senior Level