Field Quality Associate

About the role

This position plays a critical role in ensuring the highest standards of quality and reliability for the Company’s customers. You will serve as the primary liaison between service locations (typically automotive OEMs) and their suppliers, driving continuous improvement initiatives and resolving quality-related issues in a timely and effective manner. This role requires strong technical expertise, exceptional communication skills, and a proactive approach to problem-solving.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with supplier and service location personnel, serving as the main point of contact for quality-related matters.
• Conduct regular audits and assessments of supplier parts at the service location to ensure compliance with quality standards, specification, and material flow.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to establish and implement supplier quality performance objectives.
• Recommend initiatives, including process improvements and corrective action plans, to drive product quality, reliability, and cost reductions.
• Rapidly identify, isolate, communicate and resolve quality issues.
• Conduct root cause analysis of customer quality issues.
• Understand service location processes and its effect on customers’ parts.
• Provide technical support and guidance to customers and service location staff, assisting them in resolving quality-related challenges and implementing best practices.
• Stay abreast of industry trends, regulatory requirements, and technological advancements in manufacturing and quality assurance.
• Communicate effectively with customer and service location team members, including engineering, quality, logistics, procurement, and production teams, to ensure alignment on quality objectives and expectations.
• Document and update notes, audits, issues, contacts, parts, and supplier information in software systems.
• Understand and leverage quality management systems and tools, including ISO, TS 16949, and AIAG Core Tools (APQP, PPAP, FMEA, SPC, MSA).
• Promote proper work ethic and demonstrate the Company’s Core Values, policies, procedures and best practices.
• Comply with all customer and service location requirements, including, but not limited to, health/safety training and vaccination status.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED
• Must be and remain eligible to be issued a passport for any required international travel/training
• Valid driver’s license
• Preferred Bachelor's degree in engineering or a manufacturing-related field
• Experience in automotive manufacturing or supplier quality assurance

Skills

• Strong Communication Skills
• Strong Customer Service Skills
• Minimal Leadership Skills
• Basic Problem Solving/Root Cause Analysis
• Basic understanding of QMS
• Write, Explain, Understand written instructions
• Basic ability to read/interpret Blueprint/Schematics
• Basic Data Analysis

Benefits

• Full benefits (Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance, Paid Time Off, 401k w/match, and more!)

Pay

Hourly rate begins at $25/hr.

Schedule

The Field Quality Associate works on-site at their assigned service location(s)

Onboarding Location

Corporate travel to our office in Auburn, IN is required for onboarding and training during your 1st week of employment.

Required Education, Experience, Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED
• Must be and remain eligible to be issued a passport for any required international travel/training
• Valid driver’s license
• Preferred Bachelor's degree in engineering or a manufacturing-related field
• Experience in automotive manufacturing or supplier quality assurance

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods of time (2/3 or more of the workday), and perform tasks that require bending, stooping, kneeling, or crouching.
• Ability to work with and around others for extended periods of time (2/3 or more of the workday).
• Ability to occasionally lift and carry objects weighing up to 50 pounds repeatedly throughout the day.
• Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate smartphones, keyboards, hand tools, and measurement devices.
• Keen eyesight to read small print/text/figures and to identify quality defects (including in low-light situations).
• Comfortable working in environments with varying temperatures and noise levels.

Mandatory Overtime

Mandatory overtime may be required, with compensation provided in accordance with Company policies and local labor laws.

Other duties as assigned

Occasional participation in events outside of regular hours may be necessary, which may include meetings, training sessions, and team building events.