Job Overview

The Problem Solving Lead APAC drives structured, data‑driven problem‑solving excellence across the region. The role enables manufacturing sites to reduce waste, improve customer incidents, and strengthen operational performance by deploying scalable methodologies such as Shainin, PPS, A3, DMAIC, and other convergent techniques.This leader mentors plant‑level problem solvers, guides complex investigations, and shapes an empowered, high‑capability workforce delivering superior product quality.

Job Requirements

Strategic Leadership

• Serve as a catalyst for operational excellence and cultural transformation, embedding disciplined problem‑solving across APAC.
• Drive cross‑functional collaboration to resolve complex quality and manufacturing challenges with high business impact.
• Develop and execute regional problem‑solving initiatives aligned to operational performance goals.
• Lead cross‑site teams using the most appropriate structured methodology (Shainin, PPS, Six Sigma, A3, DMAIC, etc.).
• Ensure consistency and scalability of methodologies for standardization of root cause analysis across plants.

Customer‑Centricity

• Engage with customers as needed to ensure rigorous root-cause investigation for critical complaints.
• Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and customer‑first thinking to reduce systemic waste and customer incidents.

Talent Development

• Coach and mentor plant problem solvers to build sustainable, high‑quality problem‑solving capability.
• Support practitioner development across APAC sites, enabling a robust knowledge‑based, empowered workforce.
• Promote cross‑plant alignment and collaboration, ensuring consistency with corporate quality strategies and policies.

Performance & Continuous Improvement

• Lead the resolution of complex, chronic, and technical manufacturing problems.
• Anticipate obstacles, escalate when necessary, and ensure correct application of structured methods.
• Contribute to regional improvement projects to reduce defects, improve reliability, and strengthen process efficiency.
• Participate in project selection to maximize business impact.
• Facilitate best‑practice sharing and lessons learned across the region.
• Prepare senior management updates on project progress, capability building, and savings.
• Support the organization’s Monthly Problem‑Solving Review.

Quality Management System & Standards

• Contribute to compliance with the Business Unit QMS and applicable industry standards (ISO 9001, IATF 16949, etc.).
• Support customer audits, ensuring effective application of structured problem‑solving and timely closure of findings.

Quality Assurance & Control

• Support APAC Quality Operations leadership in auditing regional plants, problem‑solving programs, and customer 8D Quality processes.
• Assist in implementing Quality Core Tools, preventive/corrective action systems, and defect‑reduction initiatives.

Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Engineering, Production, Supply Chain, and Operations to resolve major quality and operational issues.

Compliance & Ethics

• Uphold safety, environmental, legal, and ethical standards.
• Demonstrate behaviors aligned with company values, purpose, and governance.

What your background should look like

Bachelor´s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Mechanical, Electrical or a related field (Master’s degree preferred)

Total Experience

• Minimum of 10 years of total experience in manufacturing context, quality, or industrial engineering roles, preferable within high-volume or complex production environments (e.g., automotive, aerospace, electronics, or industrial equipment).

Problem Solving

• 3 to 5 years of direct experience applying Shainin Red X® or equivalent convergent problem-solving methodologies.
• This includes demonstrated success leading investigations using tools like Multi-Vari studies, Isoplot, BOB/WOW, and other Red X techniques.
• Proven ability to drive root cause identification and sustainable corrective actions on chronic or high-impact manufacturing problems.

Leadership & Coaching

• 3–5 years of experience in leading cross-functional teams to solve complex technical problems.
• Experience coaching, training and mentoring engineers or plant-level problem solvers in structured methodologies (Shainin, 8D, DMAIC, A3, etc.).

• Certified Red X Master or Master Candidate (Experienced Journey Man) (ability to coach)
• Experienced Problem Solving Facilitator
• Strong understanding of 6 Sigma tools and Minitab usage
• Experienced in Risk Assessment approach
• Strong understanding of engineering fundamentals and product design
• Strong attention to details
• Willing to develop others
• Leadership skills and strong business acumen
• Good Interpersonal skill to work with people at different levels
• Be a positive change agent
• Able to develop Dashboard (PowerBI, Tableau) and to apply Data Science (Python, R) (good to have)
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to influence and align teams across multiple locations.
• Deep understanding of manufacturing systems, processes, and quality improvement tools (e.g., 8D, QFD, Six Sigma, FMEA, SPC).
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a data-driven mindset.
• Ability to demonstrate strong customer focus and continues improvement attitude
• Good English knowledge, verbal and in writing (also for presenting)
• Knowledge of standards, such as ISO 9001, VDA 6.3; IATF TS 16949
• Six Sigma Green / Black Belt

Competencies