Supplier & Launch Quality Program Manager (Automotive)

Based in Dublin, GA | Department: Quality

Reports To: Business Unit Management Dublin (Technical reporting to Business Unit Management ZF/SGU)

Is this you?

• Do you speak APQP and PPAP fluently and enjoy guiding programs from quote to series production?
• Do you thrive as the primary quality contact for OEMs/Tier 1s and love turning risks into robust controls?
• Do you bring suppliers along the journey—qualifying, developing, and elevating their performance?

What you will own

• APQP leadership across the lifecycle: quotation, feasibility, launch, and ongoing production.
• Delivery of quality milestones to achieve customer timing, cost, and performance objectives.
• Risk-based reviews, supplier technical evaluations, and feasibility assessments before award.
• Authoring/updating project quality plans, control plans, inspection plans, and MSA strategies.
• Defining CTQs and putting prevention/detection controls in place.
• Coordinating complete PPAP packages and obtaining customer approvals on time.

Customer & supplier engagement

• Be the go-to contact for customer quality topics: launch readiness, concerns, approvals, and corrective actions.
• Work directly with OEM/Tier 1 quality teams; represent us during audits, assessments, and process sign-offs.
• Drive supplier compliance to APQP requirements; support qualification, development, and ongoing improvement.

Engineering, risk, and analytics

• Lead PFMEA; use Lessons Learned, 8D, 5 Why, and Ishikawa to eradicate root causes.
• Plan/execute capability studies: Cp/Cpk, MSA, SPC, and gage/inspection system validation.
• Define and validate inspection/measurement requirements for new and existing parts.

Production support & continuous improvement

• Track and improve KPIs: scrap, rework, internal defects, customer complaints, COPQ, and warranty/failure costs.
• Implement corrective/preventive actions; support ECNs, production transfers, and CI initiatives.
• Train production teams on standards, inspection criteria, and project-specific quality controls.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, Industrial Technology, or related preferred; equivalent experience considered.
• Automotive background in quality planning, launch management, or quality engineering.
• OEM/Tier 1 interaction preferred; proven success with new product launches and serial production.

Technical toolkit

• APQP, PPAP, FMEA, MSA, SPC, 8D, VDA 2, VDA 5, control plans, statistical analysis, root cause tools, Automotive Core Tools.
• Systems: SAP, Microsoft Office, Babtec (or similar QMS), Qlik Sense (or related reporting tools).

Manufacturing fluency

• Stamping/metal forming and assembly/joining technologies.
• Inspection/measurement systems, GD&T, and blueprint/drawing interpretation.

Strengths we value

• Customer-centered communicator and relationship builder.
• Cross-functional collaborator across plants and global teams.
• Analytical, organized, and effective at managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Self-motivated with a continuous improvement mindset.

What’s in it for you

• Impact major automotive programs from the ground up.
• Collaborate within a global manufacturing network.
• Work with advanced manufacturing technologies and launch processes.
• Grow inside a company committed to operational excellence and quality leadership.

Erdrich USA Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in the workplace.