Service Engineering Manager

At Kia, we're creating award-winning products and redefining what value means in the automotive industry. It takes a special group of individuals to do what we do, and we do it together. Our culture is fast-paced, collaborative, and innovative. Our people thrive on thinking differently and challenging the status quo. We are creating something special here, a culture of learning and opportunity, where you can help Kia achieve big things and most importantly, feel passionate and connected to your work every day.

Kia provides team members with competitive benefits including premium paid medical, dental and vision coverage for you and your dependents, 401(k) plan matching of 100% up to 6% of the salary deferral, and paid time off. Kia also offers company lease and purchase programs, company-wide holiday shutdown, paid volunteer hours, and premium lifestyle amenities at our corporate campus in Irvine, California.

Status
Exempt

*General Summary*
This position is responsible for the early identification, communication and documentation of Quality issues on Kia Vehicles. The manager will use all aspects of quality improvement and assure the highest levels of customer satisfaction, initial quality and vehicle dependability is achieved. Provide the leadership to manage cross-functional teams to effectively drive urgent issue resolution including appropriate field action for after sale customers. Serve as key member of Kia NA Product Quality to best serve our customers while improving brand loyalty image metrics and dealer facing needs. This individual must be a strong communicator and technical leader, collaborating and implementing countermeasures with engineering / support teams within Kia HQ & Kia NA and Assembly Plant operations. Outstanding interpersonal skills are critical to drive quick action plans and building consensus with multiple internal Kia NA and affiliate team members.

This individual should define roles and responsibilities for PQ Service Engineers, including quality issue management, data analysis, technical communication, TSB development and stakeholder relations.

The individual in this position will also be responsible for supporting Kia corporate strategy for IQS results and emphasis specifically on higher mileage VDS and CR reliability performance improvements. The manager will be responsible for identifying the service engineering team actions to achieve the desired results, engage all organizations in the execution of the projects, track them to conclusion, measure the effectiveness and report to upper management (including Kia HQ) on status and progress toward delivery of leadership in the field of quality.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities
1st Priority - 50%
Lead the identification of quality concerns for all Kia vehicles. Lead integration efforts to increase communications and alignment w/ all Kia HQ PQ related affiliates.

2nd Priority - 15%
Lead Service Engineering activities related to IQS and VDS.

3rd Priority - 15%
Provide support for the professional development of service engineers.

4th Priority - 10%
Lead manager for technical documents – dealer facing publications

5th Priority - 10%
Support PQ ad hoc projects

Qualifications/Education
Education:

• Bachelor's Degree in engineering or equivalent experience required
• Master's Degree preferred
• ASE Master Certification (A1-A8) / Advance Engine Performance (L1) desired

*Job Requirement*

• 5-7 years in an Automotive OEM Quality Assurance Department, overseeing vehicle quality concerns
• Leadership experience preferred

Specialized Skills And Knowledge Required

• High level of independent and rational judgment needed
• Strong communication and organizational skills
• Strong technical acumen with excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
• Must be self-initiating; able to work under minimal supervision and under high pressure and stress with multiple same time deadlines.
• Management skills including the ability to coach/train team members, manage team resources, and oversee work.

Competencies

• Care for People
• Chase Excellence Every Day
• Dare to Push Boundaries
• Empower People to Act
• Move Further Together

Pay Range
$87,317 - $121,409

Pay will be based on several variables that are unique to each candidate, including but not limited to, job-related skills, experience, relevant education or training, etc.

Equal Employment Opportunities
KUS provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, including pregnancy and childbirth and related medical conditions, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, legally protected physical disability or mental disability, legally protected medical condition, marital status, sexual orientation, family care or medical leave status, protected veteran or military status, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. KUS complies with applicable law governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which KUS has offices. The KUS EEO policy applies to all areas of employment, including recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, compensation, benefits, discipline, termination and all other privileges, terms and conditions of employment.

Disclaimer: The above information on this job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification and for this position. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.