QC Manager / Assistant QC Manager - Transport Solutions

1. Job Purpose The QC Manager / Assistant QC Manager Transport Solutions will be responsible for managing and implementing quality assurance and quality control activities for the manufacturing, assembly, inspection, testing, and delivery of transport equipment. The scope includes semi-trailers, low-bed trailers, flatbed trailers, tipper bodies, tanker trailers, vacuum tankers, cement bulkers, car carriers, truck bodies, chassis-mounted equipment, and other transport-related fabricated products. The role is responsible for ensuring that products comply with approved drawings, customer specifications, applicable standards, company quality procedures, and agreed inspection and testing requirements. The position requires strong practical knowledge of fabrication, welding, dimensional inspection, chassis and axle installations, suspension systems, braking systems, hydraulic systems, pneumatic systems, surface preparation, painting, and final vehicle inspection. The successful candidate will coordinate closely with Engineering, Production, Sales, Procurement, Projects, and customers to prevent quality issues, minimize rework, and ensure products are delivered in accordance with approved specifications and schedules. 2. Key Responsibilities A. Quality Control & Department Management * Manage and supervise quality inspection activities across the Transport Solutions manufacturing division. * Develop and implement inspection procedures, quality plans, inspection checklists, and product-specific quality requirements. * Establish inspection stages covering incoming materials, fabrication, assembly, functional testing, and final release. * Allocate inspection responsibilities to QC inspectors and monitor their performance. * Ensure compliance with the approved Quality Management System (QMS) and applicable ISO 9001 requirements. * Coordinate with Production to resolve quality issues without compromising product safety or specifications. * Maintain inspection records, non-conformance reports (NCRs), corrective actions, and final quality documentation. * Ensure that only approved materials, components, drawings, and revisions are used during manufacturing. * Support management in improving quality performance, reducing rejection rates, and minimizing manufacturing rework. B. Incoming Material & Component Inspection * Inspect incoming raw materials, plates, structural sections, pipes, and fabricated components against purchase specifications and approved material requirements. * Verify material certificates, grade, thickness, dimensions, identification, and traceability where required. * Inspect critical purchased components, including: * Axles, suspension systems, and hubs. * Wheels, tyres, and rims. * Kingpins, landing legs, and fifth-wheel-related components. * Brake chambers, valves, air tanks, and pneumatic components. * Hydraulic cylinders, tipping kits, pumps, and power packs. * Lighting systems, electrical components, and safety equipment. * Verify compliance with approved BOMs, purchase specifications, and customer requirements. * Coordinate with Procurement and Stores regarding material discrepancies, supplier defects, and replacement requirements. * Ensure non-conforming materials are identified, segregated, and controlled. C. Fabrication & Welding Quality Control * Monitor fabrication quality for trailer chassis, beams, cross-members, truck bodies, tanker structures, subframes, and supporting structures. * Verify material preparation, cutting, forming, fit-up, alignment, weld joint preparation, and dimensional accuracy. * Ensure welding activities comply with approved drawings, applicable welding procedures, and project requirements. D. Transport Equipment-Specific Quality Control * Inspect the assembly and fabrication of: * Low-bed, flatbed, semi-trailers, and heavy-haul trailers. * Tipper bodies and hydraulic tipping arrangements. * Tanker trailers and vacuum tanker bodies. * Cement bulkers and pneumatic discharge systems. * Car carriers and specialized transport equipment. * Truck-mounted bodies, subframes, and associated structures. * Verify axle positioning, axle alignment, suspension installation, wheelbase, track width, and load-distribution-related dimensions against approved drawings. * Inspect kingpin location, landing-leg installation, coupling arrangements, and chassis interfaces. * Verify installation and routing of brake lines, air systems, electrical wiring, lighting, reflectors, and safety components. * Inspect hydraulic systems, tipping mechanisms, hoses, cylinders, and safety arrangements. * Verify tanker and vacuum equipment integrity and specified testing requirements. * Ensure all equipment installations match approved designs, component specifications, and applicable regulatory requirements. 3. Applicable Standards & Technical Knowledge The candidate should have working knowledge of relevant standards and requirements, as applicable to the product and project: * ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems. * AWS D1.1 or other applicable welding standards for structural fabrication. * Relevant ASME/API standards for tanker or pressure-containing equipment, where applicable. * Applicable commercial vehicle, trailer, roadworthiness, and vehicle registration requirements in Kuwait and destination markets. * Approved customer specifications and inspection requirements. * Relevant ASTM material standards and coating inspection practices. * Applicable NDT methods and acceptance criteria. The candidate must understand that the applicable standard depends on the equipment design, intended service, jurisdiction, and customer specification. 4. Software & Equipment Skills Essential: * Microsoft Excel, Word, and quality reporting tools. * Engineering drawing interpretation and dimensional inspection. * Inspection and test plan (ITP) preparation and execution. * NCR, corrective action, and inspection record management. Preferred: * AutoCAD drawing review. * ERP/SAP exposure. * Knowledge of calibrated dimensional measuring equipment. * DFT gauges, surface profile measurement instruments, pressure gauges, and other relevant inspection equipment. * Familiarity with digital quality documentation systems. 5. Qualification & Experience Education: * Bachelor s Degree or Diploma in Mechanical Engineering, Production Engineering, or a relevant technical discipline. Experience: QC Manager: * Typically 8 12 years of relevant experience in quality control and manufacturing, including at least 3 5 years in a supervisory or managerial role. Assistant QC Manager: * Typically 5 8 years of relevant experience in quality control, fabrication, vehicle body manufacturing, trailers, or transport equipment, with demonstrated supervisory capability. Experience in trailer manufacturing, heavy fabrication, tanker manufacturing, hydraulic tipping systems, axle/suspension installations, and commercial vehicle equipment is highly preferred. 6. Desired Candidate Profile * Strong practical knowledge of trailer and transport equipment manufacturing. * Ability to interpret engineering drawings and verify product conformity. * Good knowledge of welding, fabrication, dimensional inspection, and assembly quality. * Understanding of hydraulic, pneumatic, braking, and electrical system inspections. * Strong reporting, documentation, and problem-solving skills. * Ability to manage inspection priorities and work effectively with Production. * Firm approach to quality requirements without unnecessary disruption to production. * Good customer-facing communication and audit coordination skills. * Strong safety awareness and attention to detail.