Company Description

Continental develops pioneering technologies and services for sustainable and connected mobility of people and their goods. Founded in 1871, the technology company offers safe, efficient, intelligent and affordable solutions for vehicles, machines, traffic and transportation. In 2022, Continental generated sales of €39.4 billion and currently employs around 200,000 people in 57 countries and markets.

Job Description

General Management and Strategy:

▪ manage and coordinate all quality management activities for the plant/operations unit

▪ translate plant/operations unit’s quality strategy into action plans and ensure implementation

▪ contribute to strategic and operative planning of the plant/operations unit (e.g. with respect to investments, capacity and headcount planning)

▪ ensure the achievement of quality targets according to internal and external customer expectations

▪ initiate and implement continuous improvement activities by applying quality and CBS methods and training measures

▪ initiate and control investments for quality equipment together with BU/BA R&D (e.g. software, laboratory equipment, etc.)

▪ interface to segment, BU or BA functions in order to gather local quality management requirements and demands and other feedback

▪ participate in and/or steer local quality related and cross-functional projects

▪ conduct employee dialogues, personnel development and coaching

Financial Management:

▪ prepare, review and manage the budget and forecast of quality cost centers

▪ ensure timely submission of financial data to controlling

▪ implement and conduct activities according to the budget established

▪ ensure that the financial goals are met

Quality Management:

▪ ensure implementation of and compliance to external (e.g. TS 16949 or customer audits) and internal quality standards (e.g. CT quality system, equipment, tools, KPIs, etc.)

▪ assess and decide about release of new products, new processes and equipment affecting quality

▪ ensure definition of quality control (e.g. test criteria, test equipment, test frequency) as part of production control plans according to standards provided by (central) quality management

▪ coordinate and manage internal and external audits, assessments and preparation of management reviews, this includes regular internal assessments based on the mandatory elements of quality management guidelines

▪ administrate plant quality management systems (e.g. of plant, segment, BU or BA) according to segment/BU or BA standards

▪ drive Yokoten activities, i.e. implementation and application of structured problem-solving and lessons learned approach, in close collaboration with CBS function

Quality Control:

▪ ensure operation of incoming inspection according to production control plan, production planning and standards

▪ ensure operation of in process quality assurance according to production control plan, production planning and standards in close cooperation with production function of plant/operations unit

▪ stop production processes in case quality requirements are not fulfilled and ensure corrective actions

▪ manage blocked stock storage (non-conforming material) according to standards

▪ ensure operation of laboratory and quality equipment according to standards

Complaint, Warranty and Requirement Management:

▪ ensure management of customer complaints (e.g. 8D reports, A3) and collect and address customer satisfaction according to standards

▪ ensure handling of warranty returns according the agreements with customer and automotive standards

▪ ensure increased awareness of costumer specific requirements in the entire organization

▪ facilitate methodologies to analyze customer requirements appropriately in order to meet customer expectations and to identify relevant KPIs for the quality reporting

Training and Coaching:

▪ ensure the availability of qualified employees for the quality function in cooperation with plant HR

▪ initiate and control the continuous qualification of quality employees in cooperation with plant HR

Monitoring and Reporting:

▪ ensure quality performance (KPI) monitoring and reporting (e.g. regarding scrap, waste, customer complaints, etc.) in cooperation with plant controlling and production

▪ ensure supplier performance monitoring (e.g. supplier quality) together with SCM / Purchasing

▪ initiate and control measures to improve quality performance

Standardization:

▪ ensure local implementation of central quality standards

▪ provide feedback and input for further development of standards regarding quality processes (e.g. test criteria, complaint management, KPI reporting, etc.), quality equipment (e.g. laboratory equipment, measurement equipment for quality assurance), quality IT (e.g. FMEA tools, complaint management, etc.) to segment, BU or BA functions

QualificationsUniversity degree, preferably in engineering, science, quality management or related discipline (depending on plant size). certified ISO/TS 16949 (or similar) auditor. Six Sigma certification will be an advantage.5 or more years of professional experience in various quality management functions cross functional experience e.g. in engineering, supply chain, purchasing or CBS preferredComprehensive experience in rubber and plastic production processes is preferredPreferred 3 or more years in a leadership position, especialy in operational units with functional and disciplinary responsibility for other individualsProficiency in English is preferred as a working languageRich experience in project management and communicate with effect and influenceIntegrity and commitment, flexible and effective problem solvingGood at establishing goog cooperative relationship with customers

Additional Information

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