Advanced Quality Engineer in Buckingham

Wipac Technology Limited is Europe’s leading automotive lighting designer and manufacturer for the luxury and supercar markets. We supply headlamps and rear lamps for many of the world’s most iconic car brands. Wipac has grown significantly in recent years and was sold to a large Chinese corporation Anrui Optoelectronics at the end of 2019. Anrui have a strong desire to invest significantly and continue to grow their share of the European and North American automotive lighting markets. Wipac is focussed on its transformation to be a world-class manufacturer and as such wants to attract the best individuals who have the drive and commitment to contribute to the positive change of the business.

Main Purpose: Co-ordination of APQP activities leading across all new product introductions and overseeing BEON/PPAP release status of all customer released products. Interface with Customer Quality, Project Management, Testing and Engineering ensure customer BEON/PPAP targets are met for all launch and ECR requirements.

Key Responsibilities:

• Control and track all APQP documents through PPAP approval for new program launches to ensure customer submission dates are achieved.
• Execute PPAP submission and approval as required for customer & WIPAC initiated Engineering changes.
• Contribute to lessons learned reflection workshops as common point of reference across product range.
• Understand and provide interpretation of customer PPAP specific requirements when required.
• Oversee and participate in task completion of Quality related Project phased gateway release.
• Ensure latest customer specifications and standards are in place within BMS.
• Attend customer meetings if required.
• Act as internal customer for delivery of BEON/PPAP requirements.
• Internal Quality Champion for Run at Rate/2DP activities to ensure safe product launch.
• Support Gauge design and acceptance meetings.
• Support with statistical analysis through product maturation phases.
• Creating monthly PPAP/BEON status reports for management.
• Support D/PFMEA & DFM reviews as required.
• Escalation of delays across all departments impacting BEON/PPAP submission targets.
• Engage with Testing Labs to ensure capacity for new projects.
• Perform root cause analysis and resolve problems.

Key Performance Indicators:

• Plant PPAP/BEON % Compliance.
• Project Gateway Quality Task completion %.

Skills & Experience:

• Significant experience in a medium volume manufacturing environment, preferably automotive.
• Strong knowledge of the latest Automotive tools and techniques.
• Strong demonstratable problem-solving skills (8D, PPS and advanced problem solving).
• Strong APQP experience that match WIPAC customer portfolio.
• A detailed understanding of IMDS.
• Experience of dealing with customers and suppliers.
• Excellent leadership and man-management skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage a variety of cross-functional team members.
• Excellent written, verbal and presentation skills.
• Excellent organisational and follow-up skills.
• Competent in problem solving, team building, planning and decision making.
• IAFT 16949 auditing experience essential (VDA optional).
• Microsoft Office Predominantly Excel, PowerPoint.
• Minitab experience.
• Commercially aware.
• Able to communicate and build relationships from shop floor to director level.