Kai Müller - Quality Assurance Manager, Automotive

Recommended expert

Wetter (Ruhr), Germany

Check rate

Experience

Oct 2024 - Mar 2025

6 months

Tier 1 Battery Management Systems

Fully automated screwdriving and dispensing processes
General processes such as employee training
Participation in task force meetings with OEM customers
Six Sigma
Employee training
Improvement processes
Escalation processes

Jan 2024 - Jun 2024

6 months

Technical Springs Manufacturing

Improving sustainability in nonconformity handling
Implementing shop floor management and carrying out a Six Sigma project
Escalation processes
Analysis processes
Shop floor management
Six Sigma

Nov 2023 - Present

2 years 10 months

Mechanical Machining

Further development of the ISO 9001 QMS toward IATF 16949 certification
ISO 9001
IATF 16949
Process modeling in production and administrative processes

Aug 2023 - Present

3 years 1 month

Automotive Software

Reviewing existing documentation
Identifying open tasks
Creating procedure descriptions for management, core, and support processes
Consulting for the further development of the ISO 9001 management system and its certification
ISO 9001
VDA/IATF
Automotive processes

Aug 2023 - Jun 2024

11 months

Automotive Plastics Manufacturing

Reviewing existing documentation
Identifying open tasks
Identifying weaknesses and supporting improvements
Conducting internal system and process audits
Further development of the QMS
Reducing the administrative workload of the management system
IATF 16949 audit
VDA 6.3 audit
Knowledge of standards

Mar 2022 - Jul 2023

1 year 5 months

SMT and HMI Manufacturing

Managed QM departments at two sites
Supported introduction of process descriptions
Supported rollout of Babtec CAQ system
Assisted restructure of service & claims area
Led team of 11
Supported introduction of KPI-driven processes in IMS area
Handled key A-customers
Participated in customer audits
Process management
CAQ systems
8D processes
Continuous improvement
ISO 9001
Customer escalation processes

Sep 2021 - Dec 2021

4 months

Commercial Vehicle Locking Systems

Maintained management certification to VDA 6.1
Introduced KPI reporting
Knowledge of standards
Experience with certification audits

Jan 2019 - Dec 2021

3 years

Quality Assurance Manager

Water and Soft Drink Dispensing Systems

Improved main customer's satisfaction
Prepared relocation of full assembly to CZ
Trained QA staff from CZ on all quality topics
Supplier development
Managed team of 6
Customer escalation processes
Product transfers

Jan 2008 - Dec 2018

11 years

Quality Management Representative and Project Management Lead

Mechanical and Mechatronic Systems Automotive Supplier

Developed IMS based on ISO 9001, 14001 and IATF 16949
Introduced KPI reporting
QMR for 4 sites in Germany, Poland and Mexico
Led project management
Contact person for customers in escalation processes
Built a structured supplier development
Core Tools trainer
Contact for department heads on regulatory issues
Projects in pedestrian protection (Audi) and e-mobility (Porsche)
Managed team of 40
Supported setup of production for hood latch systems in Mexico
Audits
Supplier audits
Supplier management

Jan 2007 - Dec 2008

2 years

Head of Quality Management, QMR

Steel Service Center

Managed team of 4
Improved complaints process
Advanced management system from ISO 9001 to TS 16949
Started introduction of environmental management
Audits
Management systems

Jan 2001 - Dec 2006

6 years

Deputy Head of Quality Management

Mechanical Systems Automotive Supplier

Leading a team of 30 employees
Set up a structured FMEA methodology
Upgraded the management system from VDA 6.1 to TS 16949
Complaint handling for VW Group, Daimler, Renault and Karmann
Customer audits
Production relocation to Poland
Audits
Management systems
Core tools

Industry Experience

See where this freelancer has spent most of their professional time.

Experienced in Automotive, Manufacturing, and Metals and Mining.

Automotive

Manufacturing

Metals and Mining

Business Area Experience

See which departments and functions this freelancer has contributed to most.

Experienced in Quality Assurance, Project Management, Supply Chain Management, Operations, Sustainability Management, and Business Intelligence.

Quality Assurance

Project Management

Supply Chain Management

Operations

Sustainability Management

Business Intelligence

Summary

Mechanical Engineering Technician
20 years of experience in quality management
16 years in the automotive supplier industry
Corporate and medium-sized companies
Complaint management
Supplier management
Continuous improvement
Quality management
Process management

Skills

Apqp
Fmea
Ppf
Ppap
8d
Ishikawa
5why
Statistics
Msa
Run At Rate
Iso 9001 And 14001
Iatf 16949
System And Process Audits
5s
Shop Floor Management
Project Management
Product Development
Production Relocation
Microsoft Office Very Good
Caq/Erp Systems Good
Polarion / Aeneis User
Stamping Technology
Assembly Technology (Manual & Highly Automated)
Mechatronics
Surface Coating
Plastics Technology
Aluminum Die Casting
Machining Technology
Smt
Tht

Languages

German

Native

English

Advanced

Education

Oct 2003 - Jun 2006

sgd Darmstadt

State-certified technician · Mechanical Engineering · Darmstadt, Germany

Certifications & licenses

TISAX Foundation Level

Core Tools (VDA)

Auditor ISO 9001

DGQ

DGQ Environmental Officer

DGQ

GMMOG

VDA

TÜV

DGQ

Statistics

Experience

Total positions 11

Experience in Automotive 20 y

Avg length 2 y 9 m

Longest experience 10 y 11 m

Expertise

Recent roles Quality Assurance Manager, Quality Management Representative and Project Management Lead, Head of Quality Management, QMR

Main industries Automotive, Manufacturing, Metals and Mining

Main business areas Quality Assurance, Project Management, Supply Chain Management

Qualifications

Certifications earned 15

Profile

Created

April 2025

Last Update

April 2026

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Frequently asked questions

Have questions? Find more information here.

Kai is based in Wetter (Ruhr), Germany and can operate in on-site, hybrid, and remote work models.

Kai speaks the following languages: German (Native), English (Advanced).

Kai has at least 25 years of experience. During this time, Kai has worked in at least 4 different roles and for 11 different companies. The average length of individual experience is 2 years and 4 months. Note that Kai may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.

Based on recent experience, Kai would be well-suited for roles such as: Quality Assurance Manager, Quality Management Representative and Project Management Lead, Head of Quality Management, QMR.

In recent years, Kai has worked for Tier 1 Battery Management Systems, Technical Springs Manufacturing, Mechanical Machining, Automotive Software, and Automotive Plastics Manufacturing.

Kai is most experienced in industries like Automotive, Manufacturing, and Metals and Mining.

Kai is most experienced in business areas like Quality Assurance, Project Management, and Supply Chain Management. Kai also has some experience in Operations, Sustainability Management, and Business Intelligence.

Kai has recently worked in industries like Manufacturing and Automotive.

Kai has recently worked in business areas like Quality Assurance, Operations, and Project Management.

Kai attended sgd Darmstadt for Mechanical Engineering.

Kai has 15 certificates. Among them, these include: TISAX Foundation Level, 1st/2nd Party Auditor IATF 16949:2016, and Update VDA 6.3.

Kai is immediately available full-time for suitable projects.

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Actual rates may vary depending on seniority level, experience, skill specialization, project complexity, and engagement length.

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Daily rate avg. 966 €

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Median rate 1000 €

The median daily rate is the middle value of all daily rates — half of comparable freelancers charge less, half charge more. Unlike the average, it is barely affected by outliers.

Actual rates may vary depending on seniority level, experience, skill specialization, project complexity, and engagement length.