Nik Shah
SENIOR QUALITY ASSURANCE EXECUTIVE
About
Results-driven Senior Quality Assurance Executive with 11+ years of experience in supplier quality assurance, quality management systems (QMS), and process improvement across automotive, tyre manufacturing, brake pipe assemblies, and electrolyte/battery chemical components. Strong expertise in supplier development, IATF 16949 & IMS compliance, risk management, defect reduction, PDCA/DMAIC, and continuous improvement methodologies. Proven ability to lead zero-defect initiatives, reduce COPQ, manage OEM customer complaints, and enhance customer satisfaction through structured problem-solving and cross-functional collaboration.
Hands-on experience leading greenfield projects executed on PDCA methodology.
Experience
Senior Quality Assurance Executive - Neogen Ionic Limited
(2025-07)
Greenfield Project
- Lead QMS implementation aligned with IATF 16949 and ISO 9001 standards.
- Driving IMS (Integrated Management System) implementation and IATF initiative across all departments.
- Prepare Monthly Management Review (MRM) reports and monitor KPIs to reduce defect rates and scrap.
- Coordinate APQP, PPAP, FMEA, Control Plans, MSA, and SPC activities.
- Drive COPQ reduction through preventive controls and Poka-Yoke implementation.
- Spearheading Design Qualification (DQ), Installation Qualification (IQ), and Performance Qualification (PQ) for electrolyte battery chemical pipeline systems, ensuring process integrity and compliance.
- Developing and executing validation protocols for battery chemical and electrolyte pipelines with documented evidence and traceable records.
- Coordinating with engineering and production teams to address pipeline deviations and ensure zero-leakage standards.
- Lead zero-leakage initiative for electrolyte battery cells and salt battery chemicals using advanced RCA tools (5 Why, Fishbone, DOE).
- Ensuring in-process quality control for battery electrolyte and salt chemical components through rigorous inspection and SPC monitoring.
- Verifying Certificates of Analysis (COA) for incoming battery chemicals, electrolytes, and raw materials ensuring compliance with OEM specifications.
- Managing customer PPAP audits for Indian, Korean, and Chinese OEM customers for battery chemical and electrolyte products.
- Conduct supplier audits (process, system, product) ensuring compliance with OEM requirements.
- Implement Supplier Quality Improvement Projects (SQIP) to reduce incoming rejection and strengthen supplier quality performance.
- Develop and maintain robust supplier evaluation, selection, and monitoring framework.
- Execute Kaizen and 5S initiatives improving operational efficiency across battery and electrolyte manufacturing areas.
- Ensure SAP-based inspection planning, traceability, and FIFO compliance.
- Maintain audit-ready documentation for all quality records and reports.
Senior Engineer – Quality Assurance & Supplier Quality - TI Automotive
(2023-04 - 2025-07)
- Managed QMS and supplier quality systems to ensure full material and process compliance across all supply chain tiers.
- Developed, monitored, and reviewed supplier scorecards covering Quality, Delivery, and Responsiveness, driving supplier performance excellence.
- Conducted comprehensive PPAP audits and systematically closed audit gap points, ensuring robust supplier approvals.
- Implemented Supplier Quality Improvement Projects (SQIP) reducing incoming part rejection and strengthening supplier reliability.
- Maintained proactive supplier communication and follow-up to achieve sustained quality improvements and delivery targets.
- Evaluated and developed new suppliers through structured assessment and qualification processes.
- Coordinated with key OEM customers – SMG, MSIL, MG, Tata, and M&M – for complaint resolution and quality assurance.
- Led 8D problem-solving for process and product non-conformities, ensuring permanent corrective actions and formal OEM closures.
- Achieved significant reduction in customer complaints through systematic root cause analysis and corrective action implementation.
- Led Brake Pipe Assembly Poka-Yoke & Automation Project achieving zero customer complaints for 12 consecutive months.
- Resolved brake pipe gauging issues reducing field complaints and improving product quality at customer end.
- Implemented PDCA cycle for continuous improvement across quality and supplier processes.
- Led cycle time reduction project for brake pipe assembly operations, reducing machine setup time and improving production efficiency.
- Executed quality improvement projects targeting defect reduction, process variation control, and scrap elimination.
- Implemented defect reduction initiatives improving process reliability and overall equipment effectiveness.
- Conducted VSA & MSA audits ensuring measurement system accuracy and warehouse & inventory management effectiveness.
Senior Quality Management Executive - CEAT Limited – Halol Plant
(2014-04 - 2023-01)
- Managed comprehensive QMS documentation including FMEA, Control Plans, and Work Instructions.
- Implemented PDCA cycle for continuous improvement across tyre manufacturing processes, achieving measurable reduction in scrap and defects.
- Prepared monthly corporate reports (ZDWS, PPM, Defect Monitoring) for senior management review.
- Led major SPC digitalization initiative, transitioning manual check sheets and measurement data to fully digital platforms, enabling real-time process monitoring.
- Implemented advanced SPC system significantly reducing gauge variation and improving tyre manufacturing process capability.
- Implemented full digitalization of check sheets and material data entry within 2 months, improving data accuracy and traceability.
- Conducted in-house testing: viscosity measurement, specific gravity testing, defect and contaminant analysis.
- Actively contributed to Deming Award framework initiatives including Total Quality Management (TQM), supplier development, and quality system strengthening.
- Supported TQM culture deployment across cross-functional teams, driving quality mindset at all production levels.
- Participated in Deming Award assessment preparation, documentation, and presentation activities for plant-level submissions.
- Improved tread extrusion colour marking accuracy eliminating OEM complaints (122-Day Project – Marking Block Implementation).
- Reduced machine setup time from 60 minutes to 20 minutes through mechanism improvement and Kaizen activities.
- Led defect reduction initiatives in tyre manufacturing improving product quality and customer satisfaction.
- Maintained SAP-based FIFO and full material traceability ensuring zero stock mix-up issues.
- Implemented QC Circle and Kaizen initiatives contributing to plant-wide continuous improvement culture.
Education
PG Diploma - Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kharagpur (2019)
B.Tech / B.E. - Mechanical Engineering (2018)
Diploma - Mechanical Engineering - Parul Polytechnic Institute (2013)