Project Quality Manager

The Manager, Program Quality Management is responsible for leading a team of Program Quality professionals and ensuring the successful execution of quality objectives across the full product lifecycle, from concept development through launch and post-launch support. This leader serves as the primary quality representative within the Program Management organization, driving quality governance, risk management, and cross-functional collaboration to achieve program timing, cost, scope, and customer satisfaction objectives.

The Manager provides strategic direction, talent development, and operational oversight for quality planning, APQP/PPAP execution, issue resolution, launch readiness, and continuous improvement activities. The role partners closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Purchasing, Suppliers, and Vehicle Program teams to ensure the delivery of products that meet Stellantis quality standards and customer expectations.

Key Responsibilities:

Leadership & Team Management

• Lead, develop, and mentor a team of Program Quality Managers and Engineers responsible for assigned vehicle programs and systems.
• Establish team objectives, performance expectations, and development plans aligned with organizational quality goals.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and customer focus.
• Provide guidance and support for the resolution of complex quality concerns, risks, and escalations.

Program Quality Governance

• Serve as the senior quality leader within the Program Management structure, ensuring alignment of quality deliverables with program timing, cost, and scope targets.
• Drive program governance processes including milestone reviews, management reporting, issue escalation, and executive communications.
• Ensure quality risks, issues, and corrective actions are properly identified, documented, tracked, and resolved.
• Oversee development and execution of integrated program quality plans across all assigned programs.

Quality Planning & Execution

• Direct quality planning activities from concept through six months post-SOP.
• Ensure effective implementation of APQP and PPAP requirements across product systems and vehicle programs.
• Establish and monitor quality targets, customer satisfaction metrics, launch objectives, and risk mitigation plans.
• Drive quality convergence activities and ensure readiness for program milestones and launch events.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Act as the primary quality interface between Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Purchasing, Suppliers, and Vehicle Program leadership.
• Lead cross-functional quality reviews to ensure alignment, accountability, and timely decision-making.
• Influence organizational priorities and drive consensus across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Champion structured problem-solving methodologies to address quality concerns and drive sustainable corrective actions.

Risk, Issue & Change Management

• Oversee enterprise-level quality risk identification, containment, root cause analysis, and corrective action implementation.
• Ensure program deviations and mandatory compliance requirements are appropriately managed and approved.
• Drive lessons-learned processes and ensure best practices are incorporated into future programs.
• Escalate significant program risks and quality concerns to senior leadership with appropriate mitigation strategies.

Launch & Customer Quality Performance

• Ensure achievement of launch quality targets across vehicle programs and secondary program activities.
• Lead early warning systems and launch monitoring processes to proactively address emerging concerns.
• Drive improvements in customer quality performance, warranty reduction, and satisfaction metrics.
• Support industrialization and plant quality assessments to ensure production readiness and successful launches.

Reporting & Business Management

• Provide executive-level reporting on program quality performance, KPIs, risks, and corrective action status.
• Support business reviews through data-driven analysis, forecasting, and strategic recommendations.
• Balance quality, cost, timing, and customer requirements while enabling informed program decisions.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, or a related technical discipline.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive automotive quality experience, including program quality, launch quality, product development, or manufacturing quality.
• Strong knowledge of Program Management disciplines, APQP, PPAP, FMEA, Control Plans, Root Cause Analysis, and quality systems.
• Demonstrated experience leading quality strategy and governance within complex vehicle development programs.
• Proven ability to manage multiple programs simultaneously while balancing competing business priorities.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in Engineering, Quality, Business Administration, or related field.
• Project Management Professional (PMP), ASQ Certification, or equivalent quality certification.
• Experience supporting global vehicle platforms and launch programs.