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What does quality really mean in today's automotive world—when the supply chain is shifting, the tech is evolving daily, and the pressure to get it right has never been higher?

Scott Trantham is here to answer that. As General Motors' Manager of Supply Quality and Chair of the AIAG Quality Steering Committee, he's helping shape the systems that will define automotive quality—not just today, but for the road ahead.

Scott explains how the rise of EVs, autonomy, and complex supply chains puts pressure on traditional systems. Add in growing regulatory pressure and higher consumer expectations, and it's no longer just about making good parts—it's about meeting more demanding standards across a global network.

The committee's response? Updating the core tools—SPC, APQP, Control Plan, and more—while aligning with the VDA to create unified global standards.

Automation in quality management systems came up as a key point. While standards like IATF 16949 may not require it, Scott outlines clear benefits: better accuracy, visibility, faster problem resolution, and real-time tracking.

All strong reasons for suppliers to move away from spreadsheets and manual processes—not because the standard says so, but because it's simply better business.

With more than 40 years in the industry, Scott reflects on what keeps him committed: solving problems, launching successful products, and helping shape the future through his work with AIAG.

His message to today's quality professionals? Live quality daily, make decisions based on facts and data, and if you get the chance to volunteer on an industry project—take it. You're not just helping your company. You're helping shape the future of the industry.

Themes discussed in this episode:

• How EVs, AVs, and sustainability are changing quality expectations in automotive
• Why updating core tools like APQP and SPC is critical for modern manufacturing
• The role of global collaboration in standardizing quality processes across regions
• The need to break down silos between supply chain, IT, and quality teams
• How automation improves quality systems beyond what manual processes can deliver
• The challenge of keeping up with evolving ESG and regulatory requirements
• The need to attract and mentor the next generation of quality professionals
• Why mentoring and volunteering are key to sustaining industry-wide quality standards

Name: Scott Trantham

Title: Manager of Supplier Quality and Development at General Motors, and Chair of the AIAG’s Quality Steering Committee

About: Scott is the Manager of Global SQ Operations, IT Systems, Training, and Data Analytics at General Motors and has over 40 years of experience in the automotive industry. He also serves on the AIAG Quality Steering Committee and the IAOB Steering Committee, helping shape quality standards across the sector.

With expertise in manufacturing, purchasing, supplier quality, and service parts, Scott’s strengths range from complex problem solving – delivering solutions that promote industry improvements – to facilitating growth through collaboration and encouraging cross-functional data-driven methodologies to increase efficiencies.

Connect: LinkedIn

Mentioned in this episode:

• From Paper to Process: How Moog Medical Improved Supply Chain Performance Using 24 Essential Processes
• Episode 37: Roadmap to Auto Supply Chain Success
• AIAG Supply Chain Conference
• Tomorrow's Leaders Today
• AIAG Special Process Assessments
• (SPC) Statistical Process Control
• (APQP) Advanced Product Quality Planning
• AIAG Quality Core Tools

[05:19] What’s Driving Change: EVs, autonomy, sustainability, and rising expectations are putting serious pressure on traditional quality systems.

[07:00] Tools Get Smarter: From SPC to APQP, quality tools are getting a major upgrade to keep up with new tech and tighter global standards.

[08:20] Software Gets Serious: With software becoming a bigger part of modern vehicles, Scott talks about the new software QA manual and why keeping it updated is now a priority.

[09:16] Built by Volunteers: Scott shares what it takes to shape the industry's quality tools—and why passionate volunteers still drive the best outcomes.

[12:11] What’s Next for Quality: Scott sees a future shaped by complex software, smarter systems, sustainable materials, and the need to rethink quality for every new vehicle.

[13:27] Why Automate Quality: From tracking issues to hitting compliance, Scott makes the case for why automated quality systems just work better—plain and simple.

[15:55] Getting into Quality: Scott talks about what makes a career in quality worth it—and how to get the next generation to care.

[19:23] Quality Never Stops: Scott’s advice? Live quality daily, make decisions with data, accept that change is coming, and step up when the industry needs you.

Top Quotes:

[10:17] Scott: “The challenges are really, how do we keep up with the new technologies? How are we going to keep up with the software, maybe even the ESG requirements that are out there? But the other challenge, really, is making sure that we have enough volunteers. I volunteered for the APQP and control plan document updates. That was a year and a half of about meetings—about one and a half to two hours each week on both documents. So, it takes a lot of time out of your already busy day to be a volunteer. But when we have passionate volunteers that come in and help work on these tools, we will always have great outcomes in those tools, and the best ones available for the industry.”

[12:21] Scott: “As far as the future is concerned, we're going to have more and more software, and it's going to become more comprehensive and complex. So, as we've already talked, there's going to be a big need to make sure that we have quality assurance practices in place for that. I look at it, and we're going to have data-driven quality management systems, where we're going to have some real-time monitoring—proactive solutions available to help improve consistency and reliability.”

[16:18] Scott: “I’ve been in quality for a long time. I actually love it. Having a quality mentality is just something you need to have to be able to succeed. You know, you're going to solve problems, and there's a good feeling at the end of the day when you do that.”

[18:10] Scott: “Creating a quality mentality throughout the enterprise is paramount. I like to call it a quality culture. Once you create that culture, it makes it easier for everyone to get on board with you, and quality is everybody's responsibility. It may be a little different based on your role, but it still has to be done with quality. So, embracing a quality culture is just a foundation for excellence for the next generation of our quality professionals.”

[19:44] Scott: “Quality isn't a sometime activity. We have to live it continuously. We need to be embracers of change. It's going to happen. We need to make our decisions based on facts and data, because with those decisions, we will have better outcomes when we do. And I think, you know, finally—a selfish plug here: if you're given the opportunity to volunteer on an AIAG project, take it. Because at that point, you're going to be a part of the quality transformation for the automotive industry.”