Director of Quality

What Makes Motiv Special?

Through a radically different approach to building electric trucks that combines our own patented IP with strategic partnerships, we have developed a line of all-electric medium-duty trucks and buses used in a range of applications.  Our next-generation electric truck, the Argo, is coming out in 2024.

The ideal candidate will want to be part of the team leading the commercial electric truck industry.  Our trucks and buses have logged millions of customer-driven miles and tens of millions of pounds delivered in the US and Canada while reducing millions of pounds of CO2 emissions. You will be joining us at a critical inflection point in our growth, when, in addition to launching our Argo truck, we are significantly expanding our products, capacity and market volume.

Motiv’s core values are deep passion, curiosity, collaboration, customer focus and “owning it.” If those are values you share, we would love to talk with you about joining our team and taking your career to the next level in one of the hottest technology sectors. To succeed in this job, you must be able to perform the duties listed below – and others as required.

Motiv is looking for a driven and organized Director of Quality to join us in the critical role of leading and ensuring outstanding quality and reliability is designed and built into our products from development and engineering through procurement, manufacturing, launch, deployment and service. This will require proactive new product development and launch, fast effective response to customer issues, and planning and implementing actions enabling our intended rapid growth in the near future.

Our core values are deep passion, curiosity, collaboration, customer focus and "owning it." As with all roles at Motiv, your alignment with these values will be critical to your success here.

As a small and growing company, we are critically dependent on our team
members’ leadership, enthusiasm, creative problem solving, and self-motivation across a wide range of technical and nontechnical disciplines. Responsibilities Include effectively using quality tools and processes, through practical cross-functional leadership appropriate for a scale-up organization, to drive objectives to successful conclusion in a timely manner. Candidates should enjoy being very hands-on, must be comfortable analyzing complex systems, and collaborating with subject matter experts to drive sustainable reliability and robustness of products, processes and people.

This role is based in Novi, Michigan reporting to the Chief Operating Officer and will require extensive travel as required to other Motiv facilities, suppliers and partners.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Manage a team of Engineering, Supplier, Manufacturing and Field Quality
  Engineers who would work closely and cross-functionally with relevant
  department personnel

Role and Responsibilities:

• Be the strategic and tactical leader to develop and implement well thought out and highly effective Quality actions, optimized to Motiv’s scale-up context, to ensure product and service quality, reliability and robustness, in the fast-paced evolving marketplace of medium duty commercial vehicles. This will be the basis of our continuously improving Motiv Quality System
• Implement proactive KPIs across the value stream of product development, manufacturing and the supply base with transparent internal communication and reporting to ensure everyone is informed and engaged with quality objectives, challenges and progress.
• Establish appropriate external indicators and effectively monitor and ensure ‘performance as intended’ in our current multi-generation fleets and ensure ongoing quality support throughout the product life cycle of Motiv product platforms
• Define quality & reliability requirements up front in the Product development process working with Engineering to deploy APQP internally and through the supply base and contract manufacturing partners.
• Establish Agility in Issue Resolution creating rapid response and protocols to address critical and high priority quality issues swiftly minimizing impact on customers and Motiv.
• Lead and drive continuous improvement of the Trend, Pareto, Paynter & Action plans from suppliers, manufacturing (internal & contract manufacturing), body builders, and PDI systems prior to customer deployment.
• Implement Data-Driven Quality Management aligned with the Customer Service team to maintain a process to collect and analyze field service issues that prioritizes 8D based containment, root cause analysis, Interim Corrective Actions (ICAs) and Permanent Corrective Actions (PCAs).
• Replicate this process for Engineering & Manufacturing issues
• Work closely with the Supply Chain Director to establish supplier audits and partnerships to ensure they meet quality standards. Implement quality control measures including PPAP where appropriate and supplier scorecards at the supplier level to catch potential issues early in the production process, reducing defects and delays.
• Lead targeted skill and leadership training, in a pragmatic ‘learn by doing’ way, focusing on developing specific skills needed to address current and anticipated quality challenges, such as APQP, 8D problem solving methodology, Statistical Problem-solving tools, TPPAs, etc.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration within Operations working closely with Customer Service, SVE, Engineering, SC, and Mfg. to ensure quality is built into every stage of the product life cycle. Establish shared accountability for quality across departments, ensuring that everyone is committed to maintaining high standards.
• Establish the necessary processes, policies and procedures to deliver sustainable and predictable results.
• Prepare and align the operational framework for Motiv to achieve QMS
  certifications as we scale to meet customer demand.

Required Skills:

• In-depth knowledge that allows agile practical development and application of Quality Management Systems (QMS) such as ISO 9001, IATF 16949 (automotive quality management standard), and other relevant industry standards.
• Understanding of quality processes specific to electric vehicles, such as high and low voltage wiring harnesses, powertrain components (battery, electric motor, inverters, power electronics. Understand the quality nuances of software development, reliability and diagnostics
• Proficiency in product and process development and validation, including Finite Element Analysis (FEA), Design of Experiments (DOE), Design/Process Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (D/PFMEA), Statistical Process Control (SPC), Production Part Approval Process (PPAP), Design Validation and Prove-out (DVP), Durability Testing.
• Problem-Solving expertise in identifying the root causes of quality issues and implementing effective corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
• Ability to analyze complex data and processes to identify trends, issues, improvement opportunities and drive data-driven decisions
• Experience with 8Ds, 5 Whys, Lean, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement methodologies to drive process improvements and reduce defects.
• Comprehensive understanding of industry-specific regulations and standards, including automotive, safety and environmental compliance and their impact on product quality
• Experience in analyzing warranty data, managing customer complaints, and addressing quality issues in the field to enhance customer satisfaction.
• Strong organizational skills to plan, prioritize, and manage multiple quality projects simultaneously, ensuring deadlines and quality standards are met.
• Competence in identifying potential risks to quality and implementing strategies to mitigate those risks.
• Willing and able to travel domestically and internationally.

Behavioral Competencies:

• High level of accuracy and attention to detail in all aspects of quality
  management.
• Practical, hands-on, bias for action with proven expertise in driving agile solutions with thoroughness and speed required for robustness in a scale up company.
• Strong commitment to understanding and meeting customer expectations and delivering high-quality products.
• Ability to drive innovation in quality processes and procedures to enhance product quality and efficiency. 
• Ability to adapt and thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and manage multiple priorities.
• Ability to lead, mentor and develop people regardless of reporting relationships and manage change within the organization, particularly in implementing new quality initiatives or processes.
• Strong ability for cross-functional collaboration with internal and external stakeholders to integrate quality into all aspects of the product life cycle.
• Strong, street-smart leadership communications skills with a bias to reach out and stay connected and persuasive with strong divergent stakeholders
• Ability to communicate complex quality issues clearly and effectively to both technical and non-technical stakeholders, including senior management, suppliers, and customers.
• Skilled in negotiating with suppliers, contractors, and internal teams to achieve quality goals and drive improvements.
• Experience in managing and resolving conflicts related to quality issues, both internally and externally.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality Management, or a related field. MBA or other advanced degrees preferred.
• Extensive experience (typically 12+ years) in operational and quality management within the automotive, aerospace, or related manufacturing industry, with a track
  record of success in a comparable leadership role.
• Experience in electric vehicle manufacturing or a high-tech manufacturing environment is highly desirable.
• Relevant certifications such as Six Sigma (Black Belt preferred), ISO 9001 Lead Auditor, or similar quality management certifications.
• Proficient in Microsoft office, Google Suite, Jira and other software and ERP systems like Plex.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Prolonged periods standing and walking throughout facilities.
• Must be able to access and navigate all areas of the facilities.
• May be required to lift to 35 pounds.

Salary Range (Novi, MI): 

• $180,300 - $197,800 (Salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education and training.)

Benefits & Perks 

• US Based Employees: Competitive and comprehensive benefits package including Medical (including 24/7 online access to a physician), Dental, Vision, HSA, Health & Dependent Care FSA, 401(k) with company match, company paid Basic Life and AD&D, employee paid Voluntary Life and AD&D.
• Generous PTO policy, 11 Paid Company Holidays
• EAP (Employee Assistance Program) and Education Reimbursement 
• Fresh daily snacks and a healthy Work/Life Balance
• Access to Perks at Work - Discounted learning, tickets, electronics, travel, health, restaurants & retail.
• Free Online Training & Development
• Bicycle friendly, with bike storage available to all Foster City employees with a 5 minute walk to the scenic Bay Front.
• Regular Happy Hours, Company Cultural Events, and more!

About Motiv

Motiv Power Systems is the medium-duty commercial electric vehicle (EV) leader that Frees Fleets From Fossil Fuels. Founded in 2009, the Bay Area-based, commercial EV company draws on 15 years of experience to create accessible, cost-effective, and innovative electric trucks and buses for organizations that are the backbone of the economy.

Motiv has more than 150 all-electric trucks and buses on the road with businesses of all sizes, across a broad spectrum of industries, including linen, parcel, food, hospitality, airports, higher education, pupil transportation, and more. Motiv vehicles operate at over 98 percent uptime, and have logged more than three million miles, while also offering fleets up to 85 percent operation and maintenance cost savings. Motiv’s proven EV technology provides operators with a healthier, smoother, and more profitable driving experience.