APQP Project Manager

Senior Project Manager - Supplier APQP

6 Month Initial Contract

📍 Brussels Region, Belgium

✈️ Up to 50% European travel

🏭 Automotive Tier 1 Environment

We are supporting a leading global automotive Tier 1 supplier in the search for a Senior Project Manager - Supplier APQP to support major European product launches.

This is a high-impact, supplier-facing role focused on ensuring production readiness from supplier nomination through to Start of Production (SOP) + 90 days.

The Role

You will lead and manage the full APQP lifecycle , ensuring supplier readiness for new product launches across Europe.

This position combines:

• Supplier quality management
• Project management
• Risk management
• On-site supplier audits
• Cross-functional coordination

You will spend approximately 50% of your time on-site at suppliers across Europe, driving progress, mitigating risks, and ensuring launch success.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end APQP activities from concept through production launch
• Develop and manage detailed APQP timing plans aligned with customer milestones
• Drive supplier readiness for SOP
• Coordinate cross-functional teams (Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Purchasing)
• Conduct supplier process audits and risk assessments
• Manage and track core APQP deliverables including:
• PFMEA
• Control Plans
• MSA
• SPC
• PPAP submissions
• Lead launch readiness reviews and support production ramp-up
• Escalate risks and drive corrective actions where required

This is not a coordination-only role, you will actively challenge suppliers and ensure accountability.

Your Background

We are looking for someone with:

• 5–10+ years’ experience within the automotive industry
• Strong exposure to mechanical manufacturing, tooling, or assembly line preparation
• Proven experience managing APQP and supplier readiness
• Hands-on experience with:
• PPAP submission
• FMEA
• Control Plans
• MSA / SPC
• Experience conducting supplier audits (VDA 6.3 is a strong advantage)
• Project Management experience within an automotive manufacturing environment
• Fluent English

A background in Supplier Quality Engineering, Supplier Development, APQP Project Management, or Industrialisation would be highly relevant.

What We’re Looking For

• Strong personality with the ability to challenge suppliers
• High integrity and accountability
• Autonomous and proactive mindset
• Comfortable working on-site in manufacturing environments
• Willingness to travel extensively across Europe

Why This Role?

• Work within a globally recognised automotive Tier 1 environment
• Play a key role in major European product launches
• High autonomy and visibility
• Strategic impact on supplier performance and launch success

If you have strong APQP expertise and thrive in supplier-facing, hands-on environments, we’d love to speak with you.