Head of Global Design Quality Assurance

• Enhance development quality with a global system manufacturer
• Senior quality profile for strategic initiative and impact

About Our Client
Our client is s 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 peopleleader 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

Contact: Johannes Staus
Quote job ref: JN