IATF 16949 Auditor / Consultant
Location: Western Ohio – On-site
Employment Type: Independent Contractor (1099) – Project-Based
Initial Engagement: Short-term gap-assessment project
Compensation: Negotiable hourly rate; commensurate with consulting experience, credentials, and project requirements
Travel: Approved project travel support/reimbursement available when applicable and authorized
Job Summary
MS Companies is seeking a proven IATF 16949 Auditor / Consultant to support an automotive manufacturing client with an on-site IATF 16949 gap assessment in Ohio.
This opportunity is specifically intended for an experienced independent consultant, contractor, or advisor who has successfully performed this type of work before . It is not designed as an entry point into consulting.
Qualified candidates must have previously worked in a client-facing consulting or advisory capacity and must have personally led and completed an IATF 16949 gap assessment or comparable certification-readiness assessment for an automotive manufacturing organization.
The selected consultant will independently evaluate the client's Quality Management System, manufacturing processes, supporting documentation, and implementation practices against applicable IATF 16949 requirements. The consultant will identify material gaps, document objective findings, prioritize recommended actions, and provide leadership with a practical roadmap toward improved compliance and certification readiness.
This is a short-term, project-based 1099 engagement . Additional advisory opportunities may be considered based on future client needs, project outcomes, and consultant fit; however, no follow-on engagement is guaranteed.
Required Skills & Qualifications
- Prior independent consulting/advisory experience is required. Candidates must have previously performed external, client-facing work as an independent contractor, consultant, advisor, or comparable quality professional.
- Prior IATF 16949 gap-assessment experience is required. Candidates must have personally led and completed at least one IATF 16949 gap assessment or comparable certification-readiness assessment within automotive manufacturing.
- Minimum 10 years of hands-on automotive quality management experience , including direct auditing responsibility.
- Current IATF 16949 Internal Auditor or Lead Auditor certification from AIAG, Exemplar Global, IATF, or another recognized organization.
- Deep working knowledge of IATF 16949:2016, ISO 9001:2015, applicable sanctioned interpretations, and customer-specific requirements (CSRs).
- Demonstrated proficiency with automotive Core Tools, including APQP, PPAP, AIAG-VDA FMEA, MSA, and SPC.
- Significant experience conducting manufacturing process and QMS audits on the production floor and evaluating implementation effectiveness through objective evidence.
- Ability to independently identify and document clause-based findings, distinguish systemic gaps from isolated issues, prioritize closure actions, and provide practical recommendations to client leadership.
- Strong structured problem-solving capability using 8D, 5-Why, Fishbone , or comparable methodologies.
- Ability to work autonomously in a client-facing manufacturing environment with minimal supervision and travel to the project site as required.
Preferred Skills & Qualifications
- Multiple completed IATF 16949 gap-assessment, implementation-support, or certification-readiness consulting engagements.
- Former OEM or Tier 1 Quality Manager, Quality Systems Manager, Senior Quality Engineer , or similarly experienced automotive quality leader.
- VDA 6.3 Process Auditor certification and working knowledge of VDA 6.5 Product Audit and/or VDA 2 PPA.
- Experience as a third-party Certification Body Auditor, witness auditor , or comparable independent auditing professional.
- ASQ CQE/CQA , Six Sigma Black Belt/Master Black Belt, or related advanced quality certification.
- Experience working with customer-specific requirements across multiple automotive OEMs.
- Experience supporting major/minor nonconformance resolution, supplier recovery, special-status remediation, or automotive QMS implementation.
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, or a related technical discipline.
Day-to-Day Responsibilities
- Independently lead and execute an on-site IATF 16949 gap assessment of the client's Quality Management System and related manufacturing processes.
- Evaluate QMS effectiveness against IATF 16949, ISO 9001, applicable CSRs, sanctioned interpretations, and automotive Core Tool requirements.
- Review manufacturing processes, procedures, records, work instructions, controls, and actual implementation effectiveness on the production floor.
- Interview appropriate process owners and stakeholders and gather objective evidence to determine conformity and identify systemic gaps.
- Identify and clearly document nonconformities, deficiencies, and implementation gaps and tie findings to applicable requirements.
- Prioritize corrective and implementation actions based on risk, compliance impact, and practical sequencing.
- Develop and present a clear, actionable post-assessment roadmap to client leadership.
- Provide practical, experience-based recommendations regarding QMS design, process integration, audit readiness, Core Tool implementation, and sustainable compliance.
Physical and Environment Requirements
Physical expectations and working conditions associated with this engagement may include standing, walking, or sitting for extended periods while working in automotive manufacturing and office environments.
The consultant must be able to access production areas, observe manufacturing processes, review records and documentation on the shop floor, comply with all client safety and PPE requirements, and travel to the assigned Ohio project location.
Independent Consulting Opportunity
This opportunity is structured specifically for an experienced independent quality consultant or advisor . Traditional employee benefits do not apply to this 1099 engagement.
MS Companies provides experienced manufacturing professionals with project-based advisory opportunities supporting quality, operational excellence, and continuous improvement initiatives for manufacturing clients.
- Negotiable hourly compensation based on relevant consulting experience, credentials, market conditions, and project requirements.
- Approved project travel support/reimbursement when applicable and authorized.
- Short-term, deliverable-focused independent consulting engagement.
- Opportunity to provide direct, measurable value to an automotive manufacturing client.
- Potential consideration for future advisory assignments based on client needs, project outcomes, and consultant fit; future work is not guaranteed.
Important Applicant Qualification
This engagement requires prior independent consulting/advisory experience and prior hands-on execution of an IATF 16949 gap assessment or comparable certification-readiness assessment. Candidates whose experience is limited to internal quality roles and who have not previously performed this type of work in an external consulting or advisory capacity will not meet the requirements of this engagement.