1. Strategic Quality Leadership
* Define and drive the Quality & Process Excellence vision for aligning it with the institution's strategic objectives and company
* Institutionalize process frameworks and quality management systems across academic, operational, and administrative functions.
* Lead organization-wide continuous improvement initiatives using structured methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma, TQM, or equivalent).
* Champion a culture of quality and accountability at all levels, from frontline operations to senior leadership. * Provide strategic inputs to the leadership team on quality trends, risks, and improvement roadmaps.
2. Quality Ecosystem & Governance Engagement
* Build and manage a robust quality governance structure, including internal audit mechanisms, review cadences, and escalation protocols.
* Collaborate with internal teams, external auditors, accreditation bodies, and regulatory agencies to ensure sustained adherence to quality frameworks.
* Engage with industry partners, skill councils, and certification bodies to benchmark institutional quality practices.
* Oversee end-to-end audit management - from planning and execution to CAPA (Corrective and Preventive Action) closure.
* Maintain comprehensive documentation of quality processes, audit trails, governance records, and improvement logs.
3. Quality Standards & Compliance Alignment
* Align organizational processes with relevant international quality standards (e.g., ISO 9001, NAAC frameworks, or sector-specific quality benchmarks).
* Ensure consistent process adherence across all campuses and functional verticals, maintaining audit readiness at all times.
* Develop and enforce Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), quality manuals, and compliance checklists. * Monitor regulatory and statutory compliance requirements and proactively address gaps. * Lead institutional preparation for external accreditation, certification, and quality rating processes.
4. Operational Excellence & Cost Optimization
* Drive process efficiency and productivity improvements across operations through structured quality and process re-engineering initiatives.
* Identify cost optimization opportunities through waste reduction, process standardization, and resource utilization analysis.
* Implement data-driven performance measurement systems (KPIs, dashboards, scorecards) to track operational quality metrics.
* Conduct root cause analysis (RCA) on systemic failures and implement sustainable corrective measures. * Facilitate cross-functional problem-solving workshops and kaizen events to drive bottom-up process innovation.
Education, Skills & Experience Requirements
* B.Tech (Engineering) from a recognized institution, Post-graduation in Quality Management, Operations, or Business Excellence is preferred.
* 15-20 years of progressive experience in Quality Assurance and Process Excellence, with a mandatory background in the Manufacturing sector.
* Proven track record of leading quality transformations at an organizational level - not limited to departmental or project scope.
* Hands-on expertise in quality methodologies: Lean, Six Sigma (Black Belt preferred), TQM, Kaizen, FMEA, and SPC.
* Deep understanding of quality standards and compliance frameworks (ISO 9001, ISO 14001, TS 16949, or equivalent).
* Strong experience in internal and external audit management, CAPA frameworks, and regulatory compliance.
* Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence stakeholders across hierarchies. * Experience in digitizing quality processes and working with ERP/QMS tools is desirable. * Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills with the ability to present to senior leadership and board-level audiences.
* Alignment with Company core values of Integrity, Excellence, Responsibility, Pioneering, and Unity
