European Quality Manager

JOB PURPOSE:

The European Quality Manager will oversee all Quality activities across multiple cold roll forming manufacturing sites within Europe. This role is responsible for ensuring full compliance with IATF 16949 , ISO 9001 , and all customer-specific requirements. The individual will champion Quality Management System (QMS) excellence and drive a culture of continuous improvement across all sites.

In addition, the role includes acting as the organisation's Product Safety & Conformity Representative (PSCR) , ensuring product safety requirements, conformity processes, and escalation pathways meet VDA expectations. It is desired that the successful candidate has completed VDA Product Safety and Conformity Representative (PSCR) / VDA Volume 1 training, but training can be provided.

The ideal candidate has strong automotive experience, deep knowledge of quality tools and methodologies, and proven leadership capability in a multi site environment.

Why This Role Matters

The European Quality Manager ensures:

IATF 16949 & Customer specific compliance requirements.
Robust compliance and audit readiness across all sites
Effective product safety governance through the PSCR function.
Reduced customer issues and improved operational stability.
Strong alignment with OEM expectations and VDA requirements.
A culture of continuous improvement embedded into daily operations.

JOB DETAILS:

Quality Management & Compliance

Ensure full compliance with IATF 16949 , ISO 9001 , VDA requirements , and customer-specific standards across all European sites.
Maintain and continuously improve the regional QMS, ensuring alignment and standardisation across all locations.
Lead external audits, customer audits, and internal audit programmes.
Oversee the development and deployment of standardised processes, procedures, and quality frameworks.

Product Safety & Conformity Representative (PSCR) Responsibilities

Serve as the official PSCR for the organisation in accordance with VDA Volume 1 (Product Safety and Conformity) .
Ensure product safety risks are identified, escalated, and managed using VDA aligned processes.
Monitor conformity obligations and ensure all regulatory and customer requirements are met throughout the product lifecycle.
Represent the company in all product safety and conformity related discussions with customers, suppliers, and regulatory bodies.
Maintain company wide awareness of product safety requirements through training, communication, and governance.

Leadership & Team Development

Manage and develop a small team of Quality personnel.
Build a strong quality culture through coaching, mentoring, and cross-site collaboration.
Align team performance with business objectives and drive continuous operational improvements.

Operational Quality Performance

Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions using structured problem solving tools (8D, 5 Why, Ishikawa).
Manage customer complaints and ensure timely, effective resolution.
Track and improve key performance indicators such as PPM, scrap rate, COPQ, and audit findings.
PPAP facilitation and maintenance as per requirements

Continuous Improvement

Drive CI initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma, and other structured improvement methodologies.
Support APQP and PPAP deployment for new product introductions.
Standardise quality processes across the European region to reduce variation and enhance productivity.

Cross Functional Collaboration

Partner with Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain, and CI teams to ensure customer requirements and standards are fully embedded.
Lead supplier quality escalations and ensure robust supplier management processes.
Support technical reviews, design changes, and process validations.
Customer specific requirements and understood and deployed.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing, Materials Science, or a related technical field.
Master's degree (MSc, MBA) desirable.

Professional Certifications

VDA Product Safety & Conformity Representative (PSCR) - mandatory
IATF 16949 Internal Auditor certification - mandatory
Core Tools certification - mandatory
IATF 16949 Lead Auditor certification - preferred
Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt - highly desirable
VDA 6.3 Auditor certification - advantageous

Experience

Minimum 7 years' experience in automotive quality, ideally in Tier 1 or Tier 2 environments.
Minimum 3 years in a management role, preferably multi site.
Experience in cold roll forming, metal fabrication, or precision manufacturing preferred.
Proven experience managing audits, customer escalations, and quality performance metrics.
Ability to interpret engineering drawings and customer provided specifications, including detailed technical requirements.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

There will be an expectation for the successful candidate to travel between European locations as required to support operational needs and ensure consistent quality standards across all sites. In the initial phase of the role, the primary focus will be on the Ede facility.

Additionally, occasional travel to the United Kingdom will be required; however, the frequency of these visits is expected to be minimal.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: €3.621,15 - €7.745,22 per month

Ability to commute/relocate:
6718 Ede: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Preferred)

Application Question(s):
Do you have a Bachelors Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing, Materials Science, or a related technical field?
How many years experience in Automotive Quality (ideally in Tier 1 or Tier 2 environments) do you have?
How many years in a multi-site management role do you have?
Do you have experience in cold roll forming, metal fabrication, or precision manufacturing?
Do you have proven experience managing audits, customer escalations and quality performance metrics?
Do you have an expert understanding of AQPQ, PPAP, FMEA, MSA, SPC and Control Plans?

Language:
English (Required)
Dutch (Required)
German (Preferred)

Willingness to travel:
50% (Preferred)

Work Location: In person