KISHORE KUMAR T A
Quality Assurance Leader
Bangalore
Summary
Accomplished Quality and Operations Leader with 25 years of experience across EMS, Automotive, Aerospace, and Component Manufacturing. Proven success in driving customer quality, supplier development, and business excellence for global OEMs including Samsung, Acer, and Schneider Electric. Currently serving as Head of Quality – Smile Electronics (Chennai Unit-2), driving transformation initiatives that delivered
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
4
4
Certifications
3
3
Languages
Work History
Head of Quality, Chennai Unit-2
Smile Electronics Pvt. Ltd. (A ZETWERK Company)
01.2021 - Current
- Architected and executed the Unit-2 Quality Roadmap, sustaining
- Reduced customer complaints by 50% through enhanced process discipline, layered audits, and cross-functional problem-solving.
- Led Make-in-India technology transfers from China to India (2023–2024), enabling full-scale local manufacturing of two strategic projects.
- Directed inter-plant project migration (Bangalore → Chennai) with zero disruption and on-schedule customer ramp-up.
- Instilled a culture of accountability through visual management, defect library deployment, and operator KPI tracking.
- Leading a team of 55 member
Head of Quality & Management Representative
VeeVee Controls Pvt. Ltd.
01.2014 - 01.2016
- Oversaw QA leadership and MR functions across five units, ensuring system alignment and compliance with ISO 9001, 14001 & 45001.
- Implemented and achieved OHS & EMS certifications, standardizing environmental and safety systems across all sites.
- Pioneered solar container manufacturing, managing prototype-to-production rollout and cross-functional validation.
- Served as Service Head for international projects (North & South America, Singapore, Malaysia, Nepal, Vietnam), ensuring quality adherence and customer satisfaction.
- Overseeing 5 units
General Manager – Quality & MR (Aerospace)
Magnatech Pvt. Ltd.
01.2009 - 01.2014
- Directed business and quality functions as General Manager and MR, aligning operations with aerospace standards.
- Reduced defects in TVSE printer header coils from >10,000 DPM to
- Initiated and implemented AS9100D QMS, securing full certification and sustaining audit compliance.
- Implemented IECQ QC 080000 system and achieved plant certification for hazardous-substance management.
- Successfully led multiple international customer audits and represented the company at aerospace trade fairs.
- Introduced a cross-functional KPI framework to strengthen accountability and performance measurement.
R&D Senior Engineer - Quality
Coils Electronics
01.2005 - 01.2009
- Managed European and US customer projects, achieving zero-defect prototype and pilot lots through rigorous validation.
- Implemented RoHS compliance across ten China plants in July 2006, ahead of the regulatory mandate.
- Served as technical bridge between Western design teams and Chinese manufacturing, enabling smooth localization.
Quality Engineer
American Power Conversion (APC)
01.2004 - 01.2005
- Conducted detailed process and system audits for UPS manufacturing lines, ensuring QMS conformance.
Quality Inspector
Hical Magnetics Pvt. Ltd.
01.1999 - 01.2004
- Served as Vice President – Factory Committee under MD’s chairmanship; launched the ‘Wage War on Waste’ initiative, delivering measurable efficiency gains.
- Performed incoming, in-process, and final inspections, improving vendor quality and outgoing reliability.
Education
Diploma - Electronics & Communication Engineering
Govt. of Karnataka
Karnataka, India01.1998
Skills
Top Skills for a QA Head
1 Leadership & Management Skills
Quality Team Leadership
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Mentoring & Coaching
Change Management
Vendor & Supplier Quality Management
2 Quality Systems & Standards
IATF 16949
ISO 9001
ISO 14001
ISO 45001 / EHS
PPAP
FMEA
MSA
QMS Documentation & Control
Process Capability (Cp/Cpk)
8D Problem-Solving
3 Auditing Skills
Internal Auditor (ISO / IATF)
Supplier Audit Management
Customer Audit Handling
4 Technical & Process Skills
SMT / Through-Hole / PCBA Quality
Manufacturing Quality Control
Root Cause Analysis (RCA)
Corrective & Preventive Actions (CAPA)
New Product Introduction (NPI) Quality
Process Validation & Qualification
ESD/EOS Control
Defect Reduction (DPMO, FPY)
Material Quality Analysis
5 Analytical Tools
5 Why
Ishikawa (Fishbone)
Pareto Analysis
6 Soft Skills
Communication & Reporting
Decision Making
Leadership Under Pressure
Stakeholder Management
People Development
Presentation Skills
7 Digital & Software Tools
MES Systems
ERP/MSD Quality Modules
Certification
Lean Six Sigma Black Belt – Certified
Professional Highlights
- 25+ years of leadership across EMS, Aerospace, and Component Manufacturing.
- Proven record of system implementation, customer quality excellence, and team capability building.
- Global exposure (India & China) with deep customer engagement for major OEMs
Career Highlights & Achievements
- Delivered
- Led Make-in-India transfer of two key projects from China, achieving full local manufacturing capability.
- Implemented and certified comprehensive management systems (AS9100D, IATF 16949, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, IECQ QC 080000).
- Directed international projects across Europe, the Americas, and Asia-Pacific, delivering zero-defect prototypes and pilot lots.
- Vice President, Factory Committee, reporting to MD(President) – initiated and executed the “Wage War on Waste” Lean program, driving process accountability and cost savings.
Accomplishments
- Delivered for Samsung customer production lines through process discipline and robust QA system deployment.
- Led Make-in-India transfer of two key projects from China, achieving full local manufacturing capability.
- Implemented and certified comprehensive management systems (AS9100D, IATF 16949, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, IECQ QC 080000).
- Directed international projects across Europe, the Americas, and Asia-Pacific, delivering zero-defect prototypes and pilot lots.
- Vice President, Factory Committee, reporting to MD(President) – initiated and executed the “Wage War on Waste” Lean program, driving process accountability and cost savings.
Timeline
Head of Quality, Chennai Unit-2
Smile Electronics Pvt. Ltd. (A ZETWERK Company)
01.2021 - Current
Head of Quality & Management Representative
VeeVee Controls Pvt. Ltd.
01.2014 - 01.2016
General Manager – Quality & MR (Aerospace)
Magnatech Pvt. Ltd.
01.2009 - 01.2014
R&D Senior Engineer - Quality
Coils Electronics
01.2005 - 01.2009
Quality Engineer
American Power Conversion (APC)
01.2004 - 01.2005
Quality Inspector
Hical Magnetics Pvt. Ltd.
01.1999 - 01.2004
Diploma - Electronics & Communication Engineering
Govt. of Karnataka