Challenge Manufacturing · 22 hours ago
Director of Advanced Quality
3200 Fruit Ridge Ave, Walker, MI 49544
Full-time
Onsite
Director/Executive
10+ years expChallenge Manufacturing is a leading tier 1 supplier of complex metal assemblies for the global automotive industry, dedicated to operational excellence and employee ownership. The Director of Advanced Quality will lead the product launch quality strategy, ensuring compliance with quality standards and driving cross-functional alignment to achieve customer satisfaction.
AutomotiveIndustrialManufacturing
Responsibilities
Provide strategic leadership for the Advanced Quality function, ensuring all launch programs meet or exceed customer quality and timing requirements
Act as the primary escalation point for internal and external quality concerns during all phases of pre-production and launch
Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing team of Advanced Quality Engineers (AQEs), driving ownership, accountability, and technical excellence
Establish and maintain robust APQP and PPAP processes across all programs, ensuring documentation, validation, and sign-off requirements are achieved on time
Oversee execution of Safe Launch protocols, ensuring seamless transition from launch to plant production quality ownership
Drive proactive risk mitigation by ensuring early and effective participation in DFMEAs, PFMEAs, gage design reviews, supplier PPAPs, and customer validation builds
Lead and support Pre-Production Builds, ensuring parts are inspected per the Pre-Production Control Plan, gages are validated, and customer-specific requirements are met
Facilitate effective handoffs between the Advanced Quality and Plant Quality teams, defining ownership, expectations, and transition timing
Review and 'walk through' PFMEAs at pre-production stages to confirm potential failure modes are identified, and high RPN items are mitigated before home-line equipment installation
Collaborate with Program Management to ensure appropriate Quality CapEx is planned, justified, and executed for gages, testing, and inspection equipment
Participate in weekly Corrective Action (CA) meetings with plants to capture lessons learned, ensuring production issues inform future program prevention plans
Drive compliance to AIAG Core Tools (APQP, PPAP, FMEA, MSA, SPC, Control Plan) and customer-specific standards
Maintain traceability and control of all launch quality documentation
Ensure consistent application of 8D, 5-Why, and problem-solving methodologies to resolve pre-production issues and prevent recurrence
Serve as the voice of the customer, ensuring all quality commitments are met and customer audits are passed with zero findings
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality, or a related field
10–15 years of progressive quality experience in automotive manufacturing, including at least 7+ years in a leadership or management role
Proven success leading quality initiatives during program launch phases for major Tier 1 or OEM customers (e.g., GM, Ford, Honda, Stellantis, Tesla)
Deep knowledge and hands-on experience with APQP, PPAP, GD&T, and AIAG Core Tools
Strong understanding of IATF 16949 standards and customer-specific requirements (CSR)
Experience in body structures, welding, and assembly manufacturing environments, with advanced understanding of dimensional validation, gage R&R, and GD&T principles
Background in weld quality systems, joining technologies, and tooling or process validation
Demonstrated success managing multi-site or cross-functional launch teams
Exceptional communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skills with the ability to influence across all organizational levels
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and quality-related software (e.g., Plex, Teamcenter, or equivalent PLM/QMS tools)
Preferred
Master's degree
Familiarity with customer portals such as Honda NARS, GM SQMS, and Ford eAPQP
Professional certifications such as CQE (Certified Quality Engineer) or Lead Auditor (IATF/ISO 9001)
Benefits
Medical, dental, and vision insurance
Health Savings Account with annual employer contributions
Flexible Spending Accounts
Company-paid Short-Term Disability and Basic Life Insurance
Voluntary Life and Long-Term Disability options
Employer 401k Match
ESOP shares
Tuition reimbursement
Referral Bonus Program
Challenge Incentive Program
Paid time off
Company
Challenge Manufacturing
Challenge Manufacturing is an automotive company offering stamped and welded automotive assemblies.
1001-5000 employees
H1B Sponsorship
Challenge Manufacturing has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (9)
2024 (11)
2023 (11)
2022 (13)
2021 (6)
2020 (7)
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$100M2021-02-02Debt Financing· $100M
Leadership Team
Doug Bradley
President & CEO
Recent News
2025-08-05
Business Wire
2023-10-16
Company data provided by crunchbase