Ostfildern, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
From Compliance to Value Creation: Shaping Resilient Operations. I view Quality and Operations not as separate departments, but as the twin engines of a profitable company. My philosophy is simple: I don’t just manage standards; I build the architecture for operational excellence. With over 20 years of experience spanning the high-pressure world of Tier-1 Automotive, the agility of the Tech sector, and the pragmatism of medium-sized enterprises, I offer a unique hybrid profile: The Rigor of Automotive My foundation was built in the automotive industry (FTE/Valeo), where "Zero Defect" is not a marketing slogan but a contractual reality measured in parts per billion (ppb). I bring this uncompromising method competence (APQP, FMEA, 8D) to every project—ensuring stability and scalability. The Agility of Tech & SME Rigid structures kill innovation. At companies like iFixit and DINA, I learned to translate heavy industrial standards into lean, digital, and scalable processes. I advocate for "Data Hygiene" and paperless workflows because I believe that an Integrated Management System (IMS) must serve the people, not the auditor. The Holistic View I don’t think in silos. My experience covers the entire value chain—from strategic sourcing and supplier development to manufacturing, logistics, and after-sales service. Whether it’s negotiating contracts in China, managing a warehouse, or leading an ISO 9001 audit—I bridge the gap between commercial targets and technical necessity. Core Competencies: - Operational Excellence: Transforming processes to increase OEE and reduce waste. - Integrated Management Systems (IMS): Orchestrating Quality (ISO 9001), Environment (14001), Safety (45001), Energy (50001), and Information Security (TISAX/ISO 27001). - Process Architecture: Designing robust workflows for ERP implementations (SAP, MS Business Central). - Leadership: Empowering teams through clear goals, knowledge transfer, and a culture of open error management. I am looking for a challenging role as Head of Quality, Head of Operations, or COO where I can act as a strategic shaper ("Gestalter") rather than an administrator. Let’s connect to discuss how we can make your operations more resilient and profitable.
Leveraging this phase to consolidate over 15 years of experience in Supplier Development, QMB roles, and Leadership. Strategic expansion from a Quality-in-Purchasing focus to a holistic Integrated Management System (IMS) and Operations approach. Key Activities: - Formalizing Expertise (2025): Validating extensive practical knowledge by obtaining top-tier TÜV Rheinland qualifications: Quality Manager, Internal Auditor, and Quality Representative. - Expanding the Scope: Moving beyond Supplier Quality Assurance (SQA) to master the full IMS landscape, integrating Quality with Environment, Safety, Energy, and Information Security (TISAX). - The Executive Profile: Refining the profile for senior leadership roles (Head of Quality, QHSE, COO) that require bridging the gap between commercial strategy and uncompromising process quality.
• Full accountability for the Quality Management System (ISO 9001), including the successful management of surveillance audits with zero non-conformities. • Led process management and Continuous Improvement (CIP) initiatives (Lean Six Sigma) focused on defect prevention and operational excellence. • Managed and developed the supplier portfolio, including regular supplier evaluations and strategic development. • Functional and operational leadership of the Quality and Purchasing divisions (2 teams, 6 members each). • Preparation and facilitation of internal and supplier audits.
• Independently revised and redesigned the end-to-end process landscape (Purchasing & Logistics) to increase process reliability and transparency. • Designed QM-relevant workflows (incoming goods inspection, blocked stock management) during the SAP Business One implementation. • Disciplinary leadership of 4 employees; managed warehouse and fleet operations.
• Conceptualized the company-wide process landscape; coached departments on defining efficient, quality-compliant workflows across the supply chain. • Defined quality requirements and workflows for the ERP migration (MS Business Central), focusing on interface optimization. • Ensured product quality through structured supplier management: selection, qualification (onboarding), and methodical development of new suppliers. • Established Supply Chain Compliance structures (product conformity, risk mitigation) to safeguard global material availability.
FTE automotive (acquired by Valeo in 2017) Successfully managed the transition of QM processes during the integration of FTE into the Valeo Group, bridging medium-sized agility with corporate standards. • Ensured full compliance within the Integrated Management System according to IATF 16949, ISO 9001, ISO 14001 (HSE), ISO 50001, and TISAX. • Managed and accompanied customer audits (Automotive), certification audits, and internal audits. • Implemented and monitored CAPA processes, 8D reports (RPS), FMEA, APQP, and PPAP. • Negotiated global framework agreements (excluding NAFTA) and developed purchasing processes. • Conducted corporate training on Quality Management and standard compliance. Key Projects: • Conflict Minerals Reporting: Defined and implemented a global reporting process. • Contract Management: Led the project for the comprehensive revision of all purchasing contracts. • Supplier Onboarding: Developed and implemented a new global supplier approval process.
FTE automotive (acquired by Valeo in 2017) • Execution of worldwide supplier audits (ISO 9001, IATF 16949) • Supplier evaluation and development, including risk assessments • Collaboration in the implementation of a new supplier evaluation system