The Role

Xos is seeking a talented and dedicated Quality Manager to co-develop the product quality audit program for finished product inspection. The program will measure final assembly quality and serve as a foundation for product and process improvement. As a Quality Manager you will work closely with engineering to establish product quality expectations, inspection standards, defect classification, and feedback system for operations and Xos leadership. Additionally, this role will develop a customer feedback loop through improvement initiatives and customer pilot reviews to capture the voice of the customer and drive improvement. The ideal candidate will have broad manufacturing and quality experience and be a successful communicator with the ability to bring cross-functional teams together.

This individual will report directly to the Director of Operational Excellence and will ensure that the quality product and process audit system is implemented, maintained, and is aligned with the immediate and long-term strategic business objectives in adherence to customer expectations.

*This is an on-site position at our Byrdstown, Tennessee Manufacturing Facility*

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and lead the Xos Product Quality Audit (XPQA) Program
• Co-Develop and maintain the XPQA inspection manual in coordination with engineering, manufacturing, sales, and service to ensure key customer concerns are reviewed in each audit and contained throughout the assembly process
• Develop comprehensive Quality Audit systems and processes, incorporating input from Engineering, Manufacturing, and Operations teams
• Develop and lead a Quality Control team to inspect work in process
• Seek and lead improvement opportunities across departments and drive KPI improvement
• Coordinate root cause analysis and corrective actions for manufacturing and supplier quality issues
• Coordinate escalation of unresolved quality issues
• Deliver training of quality awareness
• Maintain and report Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to adhere to product and process quality standards
• Lead quality audits and contribute to continuous improvement activities
• Write reports and present progress at project meetings and to clients
• Manage, mentor, empower and support others to achieve effectiveness in their roles, providing opportunities for development.
• Promote the use of XOS preferred techniques for continuous improvement such as APQP, PPAP, Control Plans, Lean, Six-Sigma, Poka-Yoke (Error Proofing), Measurement System Analysis, and Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (PFMEA)
• Additional Duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, etc) or equivalent experience
• Proficiency in reading and interpreting electrical, harness, and mechanical design and drawing documents
• Proven leadership experience with the ability to manage and motivate a team
• Strong communication and negotiation skills
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to prioritize and align the team with company goals and objectives
• Ability to develop and maintain positive working relationships with people of diverse backgrounds and technical expertise
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in Quality Control and Quality Assurance in the Automotive Industry.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of Quality Management Systems such as ISO 9001, IATF 16949 etc.
• People leadership experience in quality or manufacturing (2-5 years)
• Experience leading design and manufacturing validation activities such as Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP), Production Part Approval Process (PPAP), Failure Mode & Effect Analysis (FMEA)
• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (Preferred)
• Proficient with Google Suite (Docs, Sheets, Slides)
• Ability to thrive in a challenging and fast-paced environment
• Ability to learn quickly and prioritize appropriately to meet customer and company needs
• Strong work ethic and a commitment to excellence and data-driven decision making

Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle or feel, and reach with hands and arms. The employee must be comfortable lifting, pulling, and pushing up to 50lbs. and using their hands and arms to operate tools and equipment.

Work Environment
This job generally operates in a plant environment as well as a professional office environment and engineering laboratory facilities. The employee is occasionally exposed to a variety of conditions at job sites. The noise level in the work environment and job sites can be loud depending on the equipment being used.