NEERAJ KUMAR
Manager NPD & QA
Pune
Summary
Results-driven Quality & NPD professional with 14 years of extensive experience in the Automotive Tier-1 industry, specializing in end-to-end product quality management, New Product Development (NPD), supplier/customer quality, and manufacturing quality processes. Proven expertise in handling advanced automotive electronic products including Infotainment Systems, Car Audio, Amplifiers, TCU (Telematics Control Unit), Speakers, Sensors, Microphones, and Automotive Lighting systems. Strong exposure to APQP, PPAP, FMEA, Control Plan, MSA, SPC, 8D, Root Cause Analysis, Change Management, and customer-specific requirements. Experienced in managing product lifecycle activities from concept development, design validation, pilot builds, SOP launch, to mass production support while ensuring compliance with IATF 16949, ISO standards, and OEM quality expectations.
Overview
2
2
Languages
2
2
Certifications
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
New Product Development Manager
UNO MINDA
05.2026 - Current
- Currently working with UNO Minda — Sensor Division as Manager — New Product Development (NPD), leading development activities for Sensor and ADAS commodities in the Automotive Tier-1 industry. Responsible for managing complete end-to-end product lifecycle activities from concept development to SOP and mass production launch. Handling product development activities including prototype build-up, OTOP finalization, product and process validation, and safe launch monitoring. Possess strong expertise in automotive quality tools and documentation such as APQP, PPAP, DFMEA, PFMEA, Control Plan, and customer-specific requirements. Leading cross-functional teams during DFMEA reviews, risk assessment, design finalization, and process readiness activities to ensure robust product development and successful launches in compliance with OEM and IATF 16949 requirements.
- Reduced time-to-market for new products by implementing agile project management methodologies.
- Managed intellectual property strategy, filing patents to protect key company innovations.
- Improved manufacturing efficiency by working closely with production teams to optimize processes during new product introductions.
QA, NPD DEPUTY MANAGER
Harman International India pvt ltd
12.2018 - 04.2026
- Leading Customer Quality and New Product Development (NPD) activities for automotive products including Infotainment Systems, Car Audio, Amplifiers, and Microphones for OEM customer MSIL. Responsible for managing customer quality requirements, new product launches, field/warranty concerns, and end-to-end quality assurance activities while ensuring compliance with customer and IATF 16949 standards. Handled customer interactions, quality issue resolution, APQP, PPAP, DFMEA/PFMEA reviews, product validation, process audits, safe launch activities, and cross-functional coordination with Design, Manufacturing, Supplier Quality, and Program teams. Led root cause analysis, 8D closure, defect reduction initiatives, and continuous improvement activities to enhance customer satisfaction and product quality performance.
QA Sr Engineer
India Japan Lighting
03.2017 - 12.2018
- Job Profile :- Coordinated As a CFT team members from in process quality for in house and customer problem analyses. Analysis of Quality Problem & systematic corrective actions with the help of 8-D, Why, Why , 5WH analysis methodology for Customer complaint, Vendor / Supplier End and in house. Representing Quality Department as an audited during surveillance audits, re-certification audits by external certification body for QMS verification. In house certify Auditor, on site assessment and evaluation of in house's capability and quality system, evaluation of product sample, Product performance. Preservation & Review of all QMS Documents like Quality Manual, Quality procedure, Quality documents, formats, records & methods in line with latest CSR (Customer Specific requirements) & as per ISO/TS 16949:2009 Standard. Good exposure in Improvement continual improvement methodologies like, 5S, Kaizen, Poka yoke. Good Exposure in problem solving technique like, 7QC Tool, 8D, 5WHI, Why why analysis and etc. Monitoring & Calibration of all type requirement instruments as per annual calibration plan. Handling and monitoring of supplier though supplier rejection, supplier action, supplier rating, supplier audit as per plan and etc. Conduct the salt spray testing as per plan and customer requirements. Knowledge of All Quality Instrument ( Vernier caliper , Height Gauge , Micro Meter , Hardness testing Machine , Bore Gauge , All Standard gauge ), profile projector. Knowledge of all Quality Parameters such like of ( Quality Check sheet and , Inspection standard , Knowledge of 7 Qc Tools and 6 Sigma Tolls. Monitoring & Documentation for PPAP submission. Monitoring lead time for each customer complaint replies against the set targets and defective part analysis along with CFT team. Horizontal deployment of corrective actions for the impact on other similar processes. Carry out Machine Capability and Process Capability study & to improve capability indices based on results. Conducting daily scrap analysis with Mfg. Team, planning ensure proper disposal of Non Conformities. As a process owner co-ordinate Outgoing Product Quality Audit (Dock Audit) and safeguard outgoing quality by direct action. Verifying all Processes (Customer Orientated, Management Orientated & Support Processes) of Quality Management system for their Effectiveness and Efficiency in line with ISO/TS 16949 requirements through Internal Audit, Manufacturing specific Process Audit, and Product Audit. Analyze Internal and External Failure quality cost — Ensure and Verify Time bound corrective / Preventive actions. Control & monitoring of in process inspection, final inspection & pre dispatch inspection as per Quality Inspection Plan. Follow up the NC close and action taken against internal system audit, external audit, customer audit as per requirements of ISO / TS 16949 & ISO 14001 with support of other departments. Compile internal system audit & External audit report and give feed back to Top Management. Knowledge of 5 ‘S’ and also conduct of 5 “S” Audit as per scheduled. Working in continues improvement project Like Kaizen.
QUALITY ENGINEER
JNS instrument ltd
03.2015 - 03.2017
- Job Profile :- Quality Planning: - Develop and implement quality plans, procedures, and standards for cluster and speed sensor products. - Collaborate with design, development, and manufacturing teams to ensure quality requirements are met. Process Control and Improvement: - Implement and monitor quality control processes, including inspection, testing, and validation. - Identify and address process failures, implementing corrective actions and preventive measures. - Drive continuous improvement initiatives, using tools like Six Sigma, Lean, and Root Cause Analysis. Product Quality: - Conduct product testing, validation, and certification, ensuring compliance with industry standards (e.g., ISO 26262, SAE J1211). - Investigate and resolve product quality issues, working with cross-functional teams to implement corrective actions. Supplier Quality Management: - Evaluate and qualify suppliers, ensuring they meet quality and performance standards. - Monitor supplier performance, conducting audits and implementing corrective actions as needed. Quality Documentation and Reporting: - Maintain accurate quality records, including test reports, inspection results, and certification documents. - Prepare and present quality reports to management and customers, as required.
TRAINEE ENGINEER
Sona somic lemforder ltd.
03.2009 - 06.2011
- Job Profile :- Quality Planning and Development: - Develop and implement quality plans, procedures, and standards for cold forging and steering suspension components - Collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify and mitigate risks. Process Control and Improvement: - Implement and monitor quality control processes, including inspection, testing, and validation - Identify and address process failures, implementing corrective actions and preventive measures - Drive continuous improvement initiatives, using tools like Six Sigma, Lean, and Root Cause Analysis. Product Quality and Reliability: - Ensure product quality and reliability through testing, validation, and certification - Conduct root cause analysis and implement corrective actions for defects and failures. Supply Chain Quality Management: - Evaluate and qualify suppliers based on quality and performance standards - Monitor supplier performance and implement corrective actions as needed. Quality Documentation and Reporting: - Maintain accurate quality records, including test reports, inspection results, and certification documents - Prepare and present quality reports to management and customers, as required.
Education
B.Tech - Electrical, Electronics And Communications Engineering
RGPV Bhopal ( MP Technical University)
Bhoapl 05-2026
B.Tech/B.E. - Mechanical
Uttar Pradesh Technical University (UPTU)
01-2022
Polytechnic Diploma - Mechanical Engineering
IASE University Rajasthan
Rajsthan05-2009
12th - undefined
Uttar Pradesh, Hindi01-2007
10th - undefined
Uttar Pradesh, Hindi01-2005
Skills
Customer Management
New Product Development
Automotive Electronics
Apqp
PPAP
DFMEA
PFMEA
Product Validation
Process Validation
Root Cause Analysis
8D Analysis
Supplier Development
Budget Management
Audit Management
Team Management
Project management
Product innovation
Customer insights
Risk assessment
Audits
Certification
IATF 16949 Internal Auditor
Social links
https://www.linkedin.com/in/neeraj-kumar-1265b3124/
Timeline
New Product Development Manager
UNO MINDA
05.2026 - Current
QA, NPD DEPUTY MANAGER
Harman International India pvt ltd
12.2018 - 04.2026
QA Sr Engineer
India Japan Lighting
03.2017 - 12.2018
QUALITY ENGINEER
JNS instrument ltd
03.2015 - 03.2017
TRAINEE ENGINEER
Sona somic lemforder ltd.
03.2009 - 06.2011
10th - undefined
12th - undefined
B.Tech/B.E. - Mechanical
Uttar Pradesh Technical University (UPTU)
B.Tech - Electrical, Electronics And Communications Engineering
RGPV Bhopal ( MP Technical University)
Polytechnic Diploma - Mechanical Engineering
IASE University Rajasthan