Six Sigma Black Belt / Corporate Warranty Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

Since 1921, Neapco has been a leading supplier of innovative driveline solutions to original equipment manufacturers and the global automotive industry. Neapco designs, manufactures, and distributes high quality, cost-effective OEM and aftermarket driveline products for automotive, light truck, heavy truck, off-road, off-highway, agriculture, and industrial applications . Recognized by Crain’s Detroit Business “Fast 50” in 2020 and Private 200 in 2021, and honored with multiple Supplier Quality Awards, Neapco’s agile, passionate, and diverse approach fuels a relentless focus on establishing, maintaining, and strengthening professional partnerships. As we move forward into our new century, Neapco continues our long tradition of quality and excellence by placing team members first, from safety and personal enrichment to professional development.

Neapco is seeking a results-driven individual to join our team as a Six Sigma Black Belt/ Corporate Warranty Engineer . The Six Sigma Black Belt / Warranty Engineer will play a pivotal role in managing automotive warranty processes and conducting advanced, large-scale data analytics. This position is tasked with leading efforts to reduce warranty costs, enhance product quality, and improve customer satisfaction throughout Neapco. Utilizing expertise in Six Sigma methodologies and data analytics, the successful candidate will drive continuous improvement initiatives, assess warranty performance, and partner with cross-functional teams to enable data-informed decision-making.

Additionally, this role will focus on recommending improvements to product design and process optimization by harnessing data-driven insights and structured root cause analysis. Responsibilities encompass identifying opportunities for enhancement through thorough data analysis, diagnosing root causes using systematic analytical methods, and providing actionable solutions to optimize product functionality, efficiency, and operational workflows. This position will report to the Senior Global Quality Manager, and is based at our World Headquarters & Technology Center in Farmington Hills, Michigan (other Neapco locations will be considered). It is extremely important this team member be aligned with Neapco’s Core Values of Partnership, Passion, Agility, Teamwork, Integrity, and Diversity, along with Neapco’s Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility goals and objectives. Compensation dependent upon qualifications.

Job Description: Six Sigma Black Belt/ Corporate Warranty Engineer

Key Responsibilities, Including, but not limited to:

• Project Leadership: Oversee Six Sigma projects from initiation to completion, driving warranty reduction, quality enhancement, and process optimization within automotive manufacturing and facilities support settings.
• Data Analysis & Regression Modeling: Perform large-scale data analysis using statistical tools to uncover warranty trends and determine root causes. Build and execute regression models to forecast warranty outcomes after implementing Permanent Corrective Actions (PCAs), ensuring data-driven insights inform strategic decision-making.
• Structured Problem Solving: Apply Six Sigma and other structured methodologies to pinpoint root causes of issues across products, processes, and systems. Work closely with process owners to design and implement risk-appropriate solutions, effectively minimizing or resolving problems while ensuring long-term sustainability.
• Process Improvement: Partner with engineering, manufacturing, and quality teams to map existing processes, pinpoint improvement opportunities, and deploy robust solutions rooted in Six Sigma principles. Drive key deliverables, including reducing high incident rates by supporting the development of test methods such as Design of Experiments (DOE) establishing criteria, and leading structured problem-resolution efforts.
• Training & Mentorship: Collaborate with the corporate quality team to train and mentor Green Belts and team members in Six Sigma methodologies, data analysis techniques, and best practices, fostering a culture of continuous improvement throughout the organization. Deliver hands-on support to manufacturing sites, emphasizing guidance for plant warranty engineers and facilities team members.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with various departments, including Engineering, Quality Assurance, Customer Service, Purchasing and Supplier Development (including Tier II/III suppliers in support of implementing and or improvement of warranty programs), to ensure alignment and effective implementation of warranty improvement strategies.
• Performance Metrics: Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) tied to warranty claims and product quality. Generate reports and presentations for management, outlining project progress, results, and recommendations derived from predictive analytics.
• Customer Focus: Engage with customers to identify and address warranty-related concerns, ensuring customer feedback is effectively incorporated into product development and process improvement initiatives. Participate in recurring and special events focused on enhancing warranty performance and driving continuous improvement. Serve as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in customer warranty processes, including Customer Specific Requirements (CSRs), B2B portal navigation, and the extraction and analysis of warranty data for internal reporting and insights.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure all warranty processes adhere to industry regulations and company policies, upholding the highest standards of quality and safety. Maintain compliance with standards such as CQI-14 and Customer Specific Requirements (CSRs), ensuring consistent alignment with regulatory and organizational expectations.

Required Skills

• Experience: A minimum of five (5) years of industry experience in quality management, process improvement, or warranty analysis within the automotive sector is preferred, with an emphasis on large-scale data analytics and structured problem-solving. Recent college or university graduates with technical degrees and less than five (5) years of industry experience will also be considered.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in statistical analysis software (e.g., Minitab), data analytics, and regression modeling techniques (e.g., Python) is required, along with expertise in project management tools and the Microsoft Business Office Suite, including Excel, Power Apps, and Power BI (or equivalent platforms). Advanced proficiency in MS Excel, particularly in creating graphical reports using pivot tables and related functions, is highly desirable.
• Analytical Skills: Demonstrates meticulous attention to detail and a strong background in large-scale data analytics, with experience in regression analysis and predictive modeling to evaluate the effectiveness of Permanent Corrective Actions (PCAs) and forecast warranty outcomes.

• Problem-Solving Skills: Exhibits a proven track record of successful project leadership and implementation, showcasing strong analytical and structured problem-solving capabilities. Six Sigma Black Belt or Master Black Belt certification is preferred.
• Communication Skills: Possesses excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively present complex data and concepts to diverse audiences, including all organizational levels and customers
• Self-Starter: Demonstrates the ability to work independently and take initiative, while also collaborating effectively within teams to achieve common objectives.
• Team Player: Capable of working collaboratively in a fast-paced environment, exhibiting strong leadership and influencing skills to drive team success.

Education

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Applied Engineering, Quality Management, Business Administration, or a related field required. A Master’s degree in an Engineering discipline, Applied Mathematics, Statistics, or Data Analytics is preferred.
• Certification: Six Sigma Black Belt certification from a recognized body (e.g., ASQ or an accredited university) is a plus; Master Six Sigma Black Belt certification is preferred. Recent college or university graduates with a strong analytics background and a willingness to obtain Six Sigma Black Belt certification will also be considered.

Neapco recognizes that our team members are our most valuable asset, and we are committed to providing them with a safe, drug-free workplace fostering respect and ethical treatment. Unlawful discrimination in employment decisions based on race, color, religion, ethnic/national origin, age, sex, veteran status, disability, or any similar protected status is strictly prohibited. In return for their expertise and shared commitment to our goals, we offer our team members competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package.

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