Customer Quality Engineer Junior (f/m/diverse)

About the Role

PPG is looking for a Customer Quality Engineer (CQE) to join our Automotive organization. This position plays a critical role as the primary interface between customers and PPG operations, ensuring timely resolution of quality concerns and driving continuous improvement initiatives across the organization.

The CQE acts as the link between Technical, Sales, Supply Chain, Manufacturing and Quality teams, leading Root Cause Analysis activities and coordinating cross-functional teams to ensure robust corrective and preventive actions are implemented.

This is a customer-facing role with exposure to major OEMs such as Ferrari, Stellantis and other key automotive customers, offering a unique opportunity to combine technical expertise, customer interaction and operational improvement. The role includes approximately 30% travel across Europe.

Key Responsibilities

Serve as the primary customer interface for quality concerns, customer claims and technical escalations.

Manage customer line issues and ensure effective traceability, investigation and resolution of complaints.

Lead and facilitate Root Cause Analysis (RCA) activities using structured problem-solving methodologies.

Coordinate cross-functional teams including Manufacturing, Process Engineering, Technical Laboratory, Planning, Warehousing and Supply Chain.

Develop, implement and monitor corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) to eliminate recurring issues.

Prepare and present customer reports, including 8D reports, A3 reports, technical presentations and action plans.

Support customer audits, site visits and quality reviews.

Ensure compliance with customer-specific requirements and automotive quality standards.

Maintain and improve quality documentation, including FMEA, Control Plans and risk mitigation activities.

Monitor quality KPIs and customer scorecards through customer portals.

Promote continuous improvement initiatives focused on customer satisfaction, process optimization and reduction of quality incidents.

Share lessons learned and best practices across the organization.

Qualifications Required

Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Chemistry.

Strong interest in the automotive industry and customer-facing quality roles.

Fluent English, both written and spoken.

Availability to travel approximately 30% across Europe.

Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.

Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

Preferred

Previous experience in quality, manufacturing, laboratory or automotive environments.

Knowledge of automotive quality standards and customer-specific requirements.

Familiarity with:

8D Methodology

5 Why Analysis

Fishbone Diagram

A3 Problem Solving

FMEA

Control Plans

IATF 16949

ISO 9001

Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification or willingness to obtain it.

Internal Auditor certification (IATF 16949).

What We Are Looking For

We are seeking a highly motivated individual who enjoys investigating complex technical issues, working directly with customers and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to drive sustainable solutions.

The ideal candidate demonstrates:

Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.

Customer-oriented mindset.

Ability to work effectively with senior stakeholders and customers.

Project management and organizational skills.

Initiative and ownership.

Resilience and persistence when managing complex issues.

Ability to influence and motivate cross-functional teams without direct authority.

Continuous improvement mindset and passion for operational excellence.

What We Offer

Exposure to leading automotive OEM customers.

International environment with approximately 30% European travel.

Structured onboarding and training program.

Opportunity to develop expertise in Automotive Customer Quality.

Strong interaction with Operations, Technical, Manufacturing and Commercial teams.

Career growth opportunities within a global industry leader.

The base salary range for this position is 34.000 eur to 38.000 eur per year

Join PPG and help us drive customer satisfaction, operational excellence and continuous improvement across our Automotive business.

We confirm that this job posting is based on objective and gender-neutral criteria and complies with the relevant provisions of the applicable collective labor agreement, in accordance with Legislative Decree No. ___/2026 implementing Directive (EU) 2023/970.

How we work: At PPG, we bring teams together to accelerate collaboration and career development, with in-person work Monday through Thursday and the opportunity to work remotely on Flexible Fridays. Schedules may vary by location.

About us:

PPG: WE PROTECT AND BEAUTIFY THE WORLD™

Through leadership in innovation, sustainability and color, PPG helps customers in industrial, transportation, consumer products, and construction markets and aftermarkets to enhance more surfaces in more ways than does any other company. To learn more, visit www.ppg.com and follow @PPG on X.

The PPG Way 2030

We are customer champions

Proactive. Bold. Trustworthy. Everything we do starts with our customers. We listen, move fast and don’t stop until we solve their biggest challenges. When our customers win, we all grow.

We act with purpose and speed

Agile. Data-driven. Empowered. We take smart risks to stay ahead of the competition. We work proactively with agility, using quality data to develop solutions that create value.

We are excellent operators

Productive. Collaborative. Accountable. No matter our role, we identify problems, take ownership and always bring solutions. We are both proactive and responsive to drive continuous improvement and deliver results. We support our frontline, the faces of PPG to our customers.

We compete to win

Future-focused. Driven. Ambitious. We are passionate about growing our business and winning with our customers. We deliver results, embrace new technologies and leverage agility and speed as strengths.

We are PPG proud

Strong. United. Passionate. We work safely, act with integrity and value our diverse perspectives. We celebrate achievements and take pride in the positive impact we create together to protect and beautify the world.

At PPG we use AI in the hiring process to make the process more efficient. AI tools do not make hiring decisions. You can learn more by going to https://careers.ppg.com/us/en/candidate-resources.

If you need an adjustment due to a disability, please email recruiting@ppg.com.

PPG pay ranges and benefits can vary by location which allows us to compensate employees competitively in different geographic markets. PPG considers several factors in making compensation decisions including, but not limited to, skill sets, experience and training, qualifications and education, licensure and certifications, and other organizational needs. Other incentives may apply.

Our employee benefits programs are designed to support the health and well-being of our employees. Any insurance coverages and benefits will be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and associated governing plan documents. Benefits will be discussed with you by your recruiter during the hiring process.

PPG values your feedback on our recruiting process. We encourage you to visit Glassdoor.com and provide feedback on the process, so that we can do better today than yesterday.