Lead end-to-end materials quality and supplier quality for rubber, plastics, and allied materials, with accountability for product aesthetics, durability, perceived quality, and field reliability across components such as seals, gaskets, hoses, pipes, decals, adhesives, sealants, paints, primers, lubricants, oils, and coolants.
Drive warranty failure analysis and reliability improvement through technical investigation, material testing, and root cause identification for failures arising from material defects, fatigue, overload, tensile, torsional, or process-related causes. Monitor warranty trends, including RPH at 500 hours, and implement corrective and preventive actions.
Own supplier quality management for assigned commodities, including supplier development, PPAP approvals, line issue resolution, field concerns, raw material non-conformities, and long-term corrective actions.
Govern approved raw material and source lists, including steel mills/sources where applicable, and ensure proper material selection, validation, and deployment across applications.
Lead special process governance, including Tier 2 audits for critical processes such as heat treatment and plating, support Tier 1 requirements, oversee in-house processes like painting and heat treatment, and validate internal process changes.
Oversee materials lab testing for incoming quality, NPD validation, and failure diagnosis, while providing cross-functional support to manufacturing, R&D, and dependent businesses.
Lead and develop a team of 9–10 members, driving execution, capability building, coaching, and succession readiness.
Preferred Industries
Production/Engg/R&D
Automobile
Education Qualification
The ideal candidate will possess formal educational qualifications that build a solid foundation in engineering principles and applied sciences relevant to materials quality and manufacturing processes.
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Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.) in a Science or Engineering discipline, emphasizing materials engineering, mechanical engineering, or polymer science, is essential to understand the technical complexities of rubber and plastic materials thoroughly. M.Tech would be an add-on.
Additional certifications or training in quality management systems (such as AS9100, ISO/TS 16949), failure analysis, or supplier quality management will be advantageous and support your capability to excel in this role.
Hands-on familiarity with material testing methodologies, destructive testing techniques, and statistical process control further complements the formal education and ensures proficiency in the comprehensive responsibilities of this position.
General Experience
The role requires a diverse set of experiences that collectively ensure the candidate can manage complex quality assurance challenges and lead cross-functional initiatives in a high-stakes production environment.
Proven experience in optimising incoming materials inspection plans specifically for agricultural machinery or heavy equipment sectors, focusing on defect prevention via robust destructive testing techniques.
Demonstrated expertise with supplier quality management processes for rubber and plastic materials, including managing supplier audits, process validations, and non-conformance handling in a manufacturing context.
Extensive involvement in warranty analysis and reliability engineering, including root cause analysis, failure mode evaluation, and implementation of corrective and preventive actions to improve product longevity and customer satisfaction.
Hands-on knowledge of coordinating with cross-disciplinary teams such as R&D, manufacturing, and field service to resolve quality and supplier-related challenges efficiently.
Experience leading teams responsible for materials quality assurance activities and navigating the complexities of special process governance, including heat treatment and painting operations.
Experience in the automotive or farm equipment industry is highly beneficial for addressing the specific challenges related to rubber and plastic component quality and durability.
Critical Experience
Critical prior experience expected for candidates includes expertise in the lifecycle management of rubber and plastic materials within manufacturing and quality assurance domains. This encompasses:
Deep familiarity with failure analysis methodologies for material and component-related warranty claims, including advanced testing for fatigue, overload, tensile, and torsional failures.
Strong background in supplier quality engineering, especially in evaluating and improving processes for seals, gaskets, hoses, adhesives, and related polymeric materials.
Proficiency in overseeing Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) submissions and managing related supplier and process issues to ensure seamless product introduction and sustained quality.
Experience leading special process audits related to critical manufacturing steps such as heat treatment and plating, with the ability to impose stringent quality controls and continuous improvement.
Thorough understanding of material testing protocols, including destructive testing and laboratory validation techniques, to underpin sound technical decisions on material acceptance or rejection.
Track record of leading multifunctional teams that blend materials quality, supplier quality, testing services, and special process management to deliver cohesive quality solutions.
Such critical experience should reflect a commitment to quality assurance excellence, strategic problem-solving, and leadership within complex manufacturing environments, preparing the candidate to contribute significantly to Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd’s quality objectives and business goals.
System Generated Core Skills
Analytical Thinking
Influencing Skills
Statistical Analysis
Material Management
Functional Requirements
Process Control
Painting
Heat Treatment
Process Knowledge - Manufacturing
Quality Control
Field Failure Analysis
Issue Management
Fixture Design
Inspection
Quality Assurance (QA)
Destructive Testing
Corrosion Monitoring
Surface Analysis
Stress Testing
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