AIAG is pleased to announce a new addition to its Quality Steering Committee (QSC): APTIV’s Corporate EOS and Quality Systems Manager, Ayper Kirtis!

In her current capacity, Ayper is responsible for the development and maintenance of EOS (APTIV’s quality management system), along with its compliance to automotive standards. She also works collaboratively with a cross-functional team of process owners, guides divisional EOS leads through deployment, and is presently redesigning policies and procedures to improve the organization’s Quality Operating System.

Moving into 2023, Ayper looks forward to sharing her experiences and expertise – specifically with IATF 16949:2016 and the Core Tools – and influencing future initiatives on the AIAG QSC.

Ready to find out more? Check out our Q&A with Ayper below!  

Why do you think it’s important to come together at AIAG and participate in events or volunteer for other activities? 

As a leading organization in the mobility industry, AIAG brings together experienced professionals from OEMs, suppliers, and other automotive entities. It’s a privilege and mission to take part in different AIAG activities, share best practices, and contribute to the alignment of standards with the latest industry trends. I believe it’s a great opportunity to learn and share.

How do you keep up on what’s new in the automotive/mobility industry? 

APTIV has a comprehensive internal communication platform. Leadership prioritizes use of this platform to keep employees updated on industry trends and how APTIV is positioned. I also subscribe to automotive newsletters and follow industry leads on LinkedIn.

What current or emerging automotive/mobility trends do you think are most urgent to prepare for?

The transition to software-defined vehicles in the industry. With increased software dominance, cybersecurity measures become more important. This will also bring about changes in working methodologies to be more agile.

What advice would you offer those just starting out in automotive/mobility?

Knowledge is key. I would suggest building a strong foundation first. A good place to start might even be the story of the Ford Model T. What comes next is to keep up to date in this dynamic industry, but this should not be a problem as the next generation already knows how to best access information. To keep up with changes, out-of-the box thinking is the best asset to acquire.