EXPERT GROUP

This category represents a specialized organizational group responsible for overseeing all aspects of automotive quality assurance, supplier development, and component manufacturing standards. Often referred to as SQD (Supplier Quality Development) or SQE (Supplier Quality Engineering) teams, these groups play a central role in ensuring that suppliers meet industry requirements across product lifecycle stages.
Key Responsibilities
Quality Guidelines & Standards
Define and enforce global quality standards such as IATF 16949, APQP, PPAP, FMEA, MSA, and SPC.
Supplier Audits & Assessments
Conduct process audits, layered process audits (LPA), and product audits to evaluate supplier performance and compliance.
Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP)
Guide suppliers through structured quality planning during new product development.
Production Part Approval Process (PPAP)
Ensure suppliers submit complete documentation and meet production readiness criteria.
Problem Solving & Corrective Actions
Lead root cause analysis and implement corrective actions using tools like 8D, Ishikawa, and Pareto analysis.
Continuous Improvement & Risk Management
Monitor KPIs, drive improvement initiatives, and manage risks across the supply chain.
Organizational Role
This group typically collaborates with:
Engineering & R&D teams for design validation
Purchasing departments for supplier selection and onboarding
Operations & Manufacturing for process control and quality assurance
Global OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers to align with customer-specific requirements