Director, Production System And Quality Assurance

About Canoo

Canoo’s mission is to bring EVs to Everyone and build a world-class team to deploy this sustainable mobility revolution. We have developed breakthrough electric vehicles that are reinventing the automotive landscape with pioneering technologies, award-winning designs, and a unique business model that spans all owners in the full lifecycle of the vehicle. Canoo is starting production in 2022 and is distinguished by its pioneering and experienced team of technologists, engineers, and designers. With offices around the country, the company is scaling quickly and seeking candidates who love to challenge themselves, are motivated by purpose, and possess a strong desire to get things done.

The “Canoo Way”

Canoo’s success is the direct result of our disciplined application of our core operating principles and drills, which are based on three main principles: Think 80/20 (“Important versus less important”), Act 30/30 (“Reduce waste and increase output”), and Live 90/10 (“We have each other’s back”). We hire based on “MET” - Mindset, Equipment and willingness to Train - and seek individuals that take accountability and deliver results while being Humble, Hungry to succeed, and Hunting for opportunities to win. We train our team to engage with each other by modulating between their intellect (iQ) and emotional intelligence (eQ), applying Facts, Finesse, and Force when they communicate. The principles and drills of the CANOO Way have been fundamental to our success, our ability to grow, continuously improve, innovate and are at the core of our day-to-day operations.

Overview

Job Purpose

Responsible for Quality Assurance including Inspection, Control, Audit, Problem solving and Quality engineering. Mentor and guide the organization in all aspects of the Production System philosophies, concepts, methods, operating practices, tools, and deliverables.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities (80s of the Position)

• Lead a build-in-station and problem-solving methodology.
• Train others in all aspects of the quality system and application of procedures
• Respond to customer complaints supporting countermeasures, analyses, preventive measures, and assisting with short-term and long-term countermeasures
• Manage and lead the team, ensuring adequate staffing levels
• Set department objectives/KPIs and review and assess ongoing performance of direct reports
• Liaise with suppliers and in-house groups, to prevent and resolve quality issues
• Implement all relevant procedures directed by the Quality Director, for Management System (QMS) and ensure compliance
• Support the production system, and the use of Audit, VoC and The Perfect Car
• Work actively with all leaders and associates, to maintain a program of continuous improvement.
• Undertake internal and process audits of the Quality Management System (QMS)
• Support effective problem-solving, suggestions, small-circle activities, and kaizen
• The point of contact for warranty issues
• Establish and refine quality sign-off instructions, standards and documentation
• Ensure that Quallity operates in accordance with any health, safety and environmental policies and procedures to ensure the safety and wellbeing of staff and visitors
• Consistently promote high standards through personal example and work through the teams, so that everyone (ie. up, across and through the organisation understands the standards and behaviors expected of them
• Provide technical expertise to the team
• Stay current and up-to-date
• Communicate KPIs from the strategic annual plan so that every member understands reality.
• Motivate and coach the team to operational success
• Manage the audit program and improvement activities, and play a key role in ensuring project deliveries.
• Ensure that all in-house systems and procedures are updated, revised and modified to meet the needs of external certification bodies
• Implement and lead the implementation, orientation, and directives of the production system, to the first aim of becoming the benchmark start-up automotive company.
• Identify business improvement opportunities within the organisation
• Contribute to the creation and implementation of best-practice vision, strategy, policies, processes and procedures to aid and improve operational performance.
• Develop, implement and support key performance indicators (KPIs) for each area of responsibility
• Work side-by-side with the Manufacturing VP, to convert and coach all groups towards the goals of the production system, along with further evolutionary enhancements.
• Conduct risk assessments of processes and tasks in the department
• Report against agreed quality metrics on a monthly basis
• Work with the Supplier Quality Assurance function, to reduce the effect of non-conforming supplier materials on production
• Lead the teams to achieve quality targets for customers and business goals.
• Ensure quality documentation is up-to-date and rational. Communicate to carry forward lessons learned
• Help champion a program for the implementation and sustainment of a continuous improvement culture
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to ensure optimal performance
• Mentor and guide the organization in all aspects of the Production System philosophies, concepts, methods, operating practices, tools, and deliverables.
• Contribute to new business initiatives and projects and review and communicate the impact on Quality activities
• Responsible for maintaining relationships with customers and Operations, to maximize profit potential and ensure efficiency.
• Monitor, support and facilitate the completion of tasks and ensure good performance and record on appropriate systems
• Add value at the various meetings and action/communicate instructions
• Facilitate regular inspection meetings with representatives from appropriate departments to support action plans for improving build quality
• Introduce new systems and procedures where appropriate. Act as Control Department for Quality elements
• Continue and further the journey begun originally by Taichi Ohno, Shigeo Shingo, and W. Edwards Deming.
• Report and be accountable for achievement of targets. Identify any actions required
• Prepare the annual, zero-base Quality budget and forecasts and all Capital Expenditure proposals as well as ensuring compliance with legal standards. Manage the budget from identification to completion of projects
• Ensure that all necessary systems and procedures are in place to satisfy all customer requirements and audits
• Input and hold responsibility for Quality zero-based budgets
• Provide clear leadership working together Supplier Quality, PPAP, Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP), Control Plans, Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA), and oversee continued compliance and embedding across the business.
• Manage contractors on site to ensure they meet legal and company requirements
• Undertake continuous training and development
• Manage, coach and develop a high performing Quality Operations team that meets agreed objectives and which delivers best practice results, added value and continuous improvements

Qualifications

Required Experience

• Proficient in necessary tools (hardware and software)
• Experience with statistical analysis, work measurement and process analysis
• Demonstrated strong work-ethic, initiative, and strong critical thinking skills
• Frequent travel between manufacturing, business, and supplier sites, including overnight.
• Team supervision or leadership experience also preferred
• Ability to multitask across multiple projects
• Confident decision making

Preferred Experience

• Grounded with Finance, Business, Economics, Supply Chain, Operations & Technology or equivalent 15 years of experience
• Preferred Bachelor's Degree from accredited institution

What's Cool About Working Here...

What's Cool About Working Here...

• Meaningful, challenging work that will redefine automotive landscape and make EVs available to everyone
• Casual workplace with an unbelievable feeling of energy
• Comprehensive Health Insurance
• Flexible Paid Time Off
• Equity Compensation

Canoo is an equal opportunity-affirmative action employer and considers all qualified applicants for employment based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, past or present military service or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate.

Any unsolicited resumes or candidate profiles submitted in response to our job posting shall be considered the property of Canoo Inc. and its subsidiaries and are not subject to payment of referral or placement fees if any such candidate is later hired by Canoo unless you have a signed written agreement in place with us which covers the applicable job posting.