Head of Global Design Quality Assurance / APQP (gn)

Key Highlights

Enhance development quality with a global system manufacturer

Senior quality profile for strategic initiative and impact

About Our Client Our client is a global player in designing and manufacturing efficient energy and data management systems for all types of mobile equipment and machinery. With around 30 sites globally, the main development and manufacturing hubs are in Germany and Western Europe. To drive the global design process excellence initiative, we are seeking a senior quality profile as "Head of Global Design Quality and Advanced Product Planning", ideally based south of Freiburg/Breisgau or Dresden. In that role, you will define and deploy a global Design Quality and Quality Engineering strategy, ensuring quality is designed into products from concept through industrialization. Acting as a change agent, you will elevate quality maturity, standardize APQP practices, and drive a culture of defect prevention, reliability, and continuous improvement across R&D, Engineering, Operations, and Supply Chain.

Job Description

Own and develop the global Design Quality Assurance and APQP framework across all product development activities

Embed quality-by-design, DFMEA/PFMEA, DFSS, DFMA, and reliability engineering into innovation and NPD processes

Drive global APQP governance, metrics, and design verification & validation standards

Mentor, and develop a global quality engineering organization and Centers of Excellence

Partner with Product Management, R&D, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Customer functions to mitigate technical and quality risks early

Excel in defect prevention, predictive quality, and data-based optimization measures

Ensure compliance with international quality standards and regulatory requirements

Act as executive sponsor for global problem-solving and continuous improvement initiatives (Lean, Six Sigma, 8D)

The Successful Applicant

Senior quality profile with 15+ years of experience in Design Quality, Quality Engineering, and APQP within complex, global manufacturing environments

Strong background in regulated or high-reliability industries (automotive, aerospace, medical devices, high-tech)

Demonstrated success in driving global transformation programs and influencing senior stakeholders

Deep expertise in APQP, DFMEA, PFMEA, Six Sigma, Lean, and international quality standards

Strategic, structured, and data-inspired people leader with strong executive presence

Fluent in English; additional languages are a plus (ideally German, French, Chinese)

Willingness to travel internationally (25 %)

What's on Offer This is a high-impact opportunity to shape global product quality strategy, influence innovation outcomes, and leave a lasting footprint on a growing, technology-focused organization with a strong culture of safety, quality, and operational excellence and a passionate and accessible senior executive team!

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