Heads of Quality in Germany
in minutes from 15,000 CVs with AI supportBring in leaders for quality management systems, audits, supplier quality, CAPA, and cross-site process control. Useful for regulated manufacturing, life sciences, and complex operations. Get fast, precise matching with vetted, available freelancers.
Meet FRATCH Heads of Quality in Germany
Melanie S.
Last position:
Lead Quality / Regulatory at Confidential
Built and drove the implementation of an ISO 13485-aligned quality management system for a newly established medical-device manufacturer developing products for leading OEM customers. Led RA/QA strategy, QMS architecture, design-control setup, supplier-...
Ali Chaari
Last position:
Head of Quality Management at Ronda AG
- Direct reporting to executive management with responsibility for the entire quality management function in the company
- Advisory role as a sparring partner for executive management in all quality-related decisions
- Preparation and planning of ISO9001 certification
- Development and implementation of a KPI dashboard for quality activities for strategic steering
- Development and implementation of the strategic direction for the quality area
- Optimization and further development of the IQSoft quality management software to improve operational quality performance
- Successful promotion of a sustainable quality structure through regular workshops and training sessions
- Analytical problem-solving for quality and process challenges with a pragmatic approach (MSA/SPC)
- Planning and execution of internal and external audits
- Strategic supplier management
- Digitalization of the sampling process to increase efficiency
Norman Richter
Last position:
Occupational Safety Specialist at Baltic Distillery GmbH
- Further development of the quality management system
- Conducting internal audits
- Preparing and following up on audits
- Conducting hygiene audits
- Planning external audits
- Creating and tracking deviations
- Document maintenance and creation
- Training employees (food hygiene, product protection)
- Revising supplier management with the purchasing department
- Digitizing the lab and part of the production with new equipment and electronic document management software
- Close cooperation with purchasing, sales, HR, and production management
- Preparing the management review together with senior management
- Acting as measuring equipment coordinator
Martin Schülein
Last position:
Head of Quality Management Brooks Europe at Brooks Automation Germany GmbH
responsibility for product, process & service quality: APQP, PPAP, FMEA, MSA, SPC, PLP including change management as well as NC & CAPA management.
expanded QM system scope to include service; systematic review of all production control plans regarding reliability.
logistics process optimization using Lean Six Sigma; concept development, rollout, and training of all responsible stakeholders.
optimization of the complaint process with RMA, FA, and 8D process; reporting of quality performance.
introduction & coordination of Standardized Supplier Quality Assessment (SSQA) for maturity assessment and further development.
implementation of Brooks Process Certification with PQP, 5S, Safety, audits, and annual audit plan including follow-up actions.
achievements: improved product & refurbishment reliability by 25%; reduced turnaround time for failure analysis by 60% and complaints by 55%; improved the SSQA maturity score by 2.8 points.
Eric Bouendeu
Last position:
Quality Assurance Lead (QSV) at Federal Employment Agency
Supported the International Web Presence project of the Federal Employment Agency (IntWeb) in quality management, taking on responsibility for the quality of processes and project deliverables while adhering to BA standards. The project's main goals are to give professionals abroad a quick overview of their chances to move to Germany and to enable them to take the necessary steps in a consistently digital way.
Set the fundamental guidelines using the QA handbook
Summarized test results in QA reports for PLA
Analyzed project outcomes for improvement opportunities
Quality management of requirements analysis (especially processes, methods and tools)
Ensured compliance with SERA guidelines
Created a cross-project test concept
Agreed on sprint completion reports
Conducted formal reviews of deliverables according to guidelines and/or project plan
Acted as contact person for internal audit and external audits by auditors or the Federal Audit Office (BRH)
Technologies: JIRA, Confluence, MS Office, GitLab, Kubernetes
Isaac Udoh
Last position:
Global Head of Quality, Safety and Regulatory Affairs at RKW SE
Development and implementation of global quality, safety and regulatory affairs strategies.
Transformations in quality, safety, and regulatory affairs.
Lead RKW to deliver the quality promised to the customers and grow the business.
Lead RKW to successfully achieve the zero-safety incident journey.
Lead RKW to successfully achieve regulatory affairs compliance journey.
Envisioned, designed, and implemented a global quality, safety and regulatory affairs strategy for the RKW global business.
Successfully involved all 14 RKW sites in global quality and safety plan as lead site and/or roll out site.
Introduced safety, quality, master plan and safety A3 to all 14 RKW sites contributing to double digits €-Million EBITDA Y2024.
Included quality and safety into the company bonus system.
Led global workshops to build Root Cause Problem Solving capability across entire company (209 persons trained) and Job Safety Analysis capability (100 persons trained).
Introduced globally the top 3 quality defects/losses elimination using RCPS tool contributing to double digits €-Million EBITDA Y2024.
Regained confidence of top customers (Procter & Gamble, Essity, Ontex) via solid implementation of global quality strategy.
Reduced cost of claims by 35% (Y2024 vs Y2023).
Established a solid safety foundation and standards enabling continuous improvements in incident rate globally.
Rainer Meyer
Last position:
Mentor & Quality Lead at Diehl Advanced Mobility GmbH
- Restructuring operational quality assurance
- Reducing scrap costs
- Mentor for new quality lead
- No direct staff responsibility
Kai Müller
Last position:
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
Elena Chis
Last position:
Plant Quality Manager at BHC Gummi-Metall GmbH
- Reviewing customer requirements (Quality Agreements) and implementing process and product quality measures within the approval processes (start-up support and initial samples according to PPF/PPAP) under APQP
- Main contact for quality-related issues at the site
- Implementing supplier quality support and development
- Ensuring compliance with all quality-specific requirements such as incoming and outgoing inspections, initial sample test reports, quality work instructions, inspection plans, and control charts
- Customer contact for complaint management and handling using Quality Core Tools: 8D report, 5 Why, Ishikawa analysis
- Active use of quality tools: control plan, PFMEA, inspection plan, EMPB, drawings, collecting and analyzing statistical data, R&R, MSA, SPC
- Conducting internal system, product and process audits according to VDA 6.3 and VDA 6.5
- Responsible for certification of the quality management system IATF 16949, occupational health and safety ISO 45001, and environmental management ISO 14001
- Supervising, goal-oriented leadership and development of a 10-member team
Dietmar Geiß
Last position:
Head of Quality Management at UNITEC Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. KG
Simone Pfliegel
Last position:
Independent Expert and Assessor at EIT Culture & Creativity
- Independent expert and assessor for the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), Culture & Creativity
- Review and assessment of European innovation and funding applications based on defined quality and selection criteria
- Evaluation of relevance, level of innovation, feasibility, impact, scalability, and sustainability
- Professional focus areas: artificial intelligence, EdTech, digital transformation, education, innovation, and creative industries
- Analysis of complex project concepts, consortia, impact strategies, and European cooperation projects
- Preparation of well-founded, clear evaluation and selection assessments Experience at the intersection of education, technology, innovation, and European funding programs
Pranav Padinjare Kanisantavita
Last position:
Executive – Quality Control Microbiology at Recipharm Pharma Services Pvt. Ltd.
- Performed microbiological analysis on pharmaceutical products ensuring compliance with industry standards
- Conducted MLT, BET, and environmental monitoring to maintain product quality
- Prepared method validation raw data and executed suitability testing
- Calibrated and maintained lab instruments including TOC analyzer, pH meter, incubators
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to optimize testing workflows and reduce errors
Rene Seiler
Last position:
Quality Manager and Management Representative at Trimble Germany GmbH
- Budget responsibility: 0 EUR
- Staff responsibility: 0 employees
- Maintain ISO 20000 management system of Advance Positioning Network Operation Team
- Maintain documentation (Confluence)
- Maintain ISTM tool (4me)
- Conduct internal audits and trainings
- Report to Director Network Operations
- Set up management system from scratch and passed certification audit within 12 months
- Certificate covers 3 sites in Australia, Germany, and United States
Kai-Uwe Tillmann
Last position:
Senior Consultant / Task Force Leader at MitsumiMinebea Electro Motors Malaysia
- Set up and lead a task force to develop the supplier on site
- Determine the current quality status on site
- Evaluate the current results of ongoing actions
- Monitor and support the implementation of corrective actions from field complaints
- Provide process training to the supplier’s staff on site (8-D method, Ishikawa, process documentation)
- Introduce the APQP process, Gemba walks, and LPA audit process
- Optimize the maintenance process, including preventive and predictive maintenance
- Oversee internal VDA 6.3 process audits
- Monitor immediate and corrective actions
- Validate the results of the actions
- Guide the supplier’s teams to achieve mission goals: improve process effectiveness, strengthen production process robustness, enhance complaint handling efficiency, and ensure method competence in PFMEA, 8-D, risk analysis, and problem-solving methodology
- Ensure effectiveness of action implementation
- Restore customer satisfaction and trust in the supplier
- Improve the VDA 6.3 rating from C to A (>90%)
Rafael Azevedo
Last position:
Head of Quality at Helsing AI
- Lead new manufacture companies (Resilience Factories) worldwide based in NATO requirements Aerospace/Part21G/Part21J
- Implement quality methodologies and tools (RCCA, NCRs, MRB, special processes qualification)
- Implement and obtain EN9100 certification as Head of Quality
- Point of contact to defense customers (MoDs) regarding quality and AQAP
- Develop quality process for qualification and certification
- Plan and execute lean manufacture to improve quality and reduce costs
- Construct quality, manufacture and supply chain organization
Discover over 15,000 top freelancers
Heads of Quality statistics
Aggregated from the professional profiles of matched freelancers.
Experience
25 years
Position duration
4.1 years
Positions per freelancer
15
Top business areas
Quality Assurance, Operations, Project Management
Top industries
Manufacturing, Automotive, Healthcare
Certification focus areas
Quality Assurance, Audit, Operations
Bachelor's degree or higher
89%
Master's degree or higher
56%
Doctorate
6%
Certifications per freelancer
7
Most common languages
German, English, French
Speak two or more languages
91%
Based on our profile pool as of 26 Aug 2026.
Daily rate distribution
The chart shows how the daily rates of freelancers in this role in Germany are distributed, based on recent contracts on our platform. Each bar covers a rate range — its height shows how many freelancers charge within that range.
Average rates for Heads of Quality in Germany
Rates are based on recent contracts and do not include FRATCH margin.
The average daily rate is the mean of all daily rates from recent contracts of comparable freelancers on our platform.
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.
Calculated based on our freelancers’ daily rates as of 26 Aug 2026. Actual rates may vary depending on seniority level, experience, skill specialization, project complexity, and engagement length.
About the role
Quality leadership
A Head of Quality sets the quality direction for the business and keeps it connected to operations, customers, and compliance. In many companies, this role is also called a Quality Director or Quality Manager when the scope is smaller. The work is about making quality measurable, repeatable, and hard to ignore.
What they deliver
- Quality strategy and governance aligned with business goals
- Quality management systems, SOPs, and audit readiness
- CAPA handling, deviation management, and root-cause analysis
- Supplier quality oversight and escalation management
- KPI reporting for defects, complaints, and process stability
Core skills
Strong Heads of Quality understand both process and people. They need a firm grip on ISO-based systems, internal and external audits, document control, and cross-functional improvement work. They also need the confidence to challenge production, engineering, procurement, and leadership when standards slip.
Tools and methods
The role often uses quality management software, audit checklists, SPC, FMEA, 8D, and structured problem-solving methods. In regulated industries, traceability, change control, and validation discipline matter just as much as fast issue resolution. A strong interim Quality Director can step into an existing system and make it clearer without slowing the business down.
When companies hire
Companies usually bring in a freelance Head of Quality during a turnaround, an audit preparation phase, a plant ramp-up, or after repeated quality escapes. This is common in Germany for manufacturers, medical technology firms, automotive suppliers, and industrial companies with strict customer requirements. Freelance support also helps when a permanent leader is being hired but the work cannot wait.
What strong profiles look like
- They can run quality without hiding behind theory
- They know how to work with production, engineering, and suppliers
- They write clear actions and follow them through
- They can explain findings to management without drama
- They know when to tighten controls and when to remove waste
Frequently asked questions
Not sure where to start with Heads of Quality? These answers cover the essentials.
A Head of Quality leads the quality function, sets priorities, and makes sure standards are followed in day-to-day work. That usually includes audits, CAPA, supplier quality, document control, and reporting to management. In practice, the role turns quality from a support topic into a managed business process.
A Quality Manager often runs a team or a defined area of the quality system, while a Head of Quality usually carries broader responsibility for strategy, governance, and escalation. In smaller companies, the titles can overlap. The scope of authority and the need for cross-site coordination matter more than the exact title.
Look for strong audit experience, root-cause analysis, CAPA handling, and a solid grasp of quality management systems. A good Quality Director also needs stakeholder management skills, because quality work touches production, engineering, procurement, and leadership. If the person cannot influence across functions, the role will stall.
A Head of Quality is especially useful in manufacturing, automotive supply chains, medical technology, electronics, and other regulated or process-heavy environments. These companies usually need someone who understands both operational reality and formal quality requirements. Germany is a common market for this kind of work because many clients run complex industrial setups.
Choose a freelancer when the need is urgent, the project is temporary, or the company needs senior quality leadership before the permanent hire starts. A freelance Head of Quality is also useful for audits, crisis recovery, plant launches, and short-term change programs. That gives you leadership without waiting through a long hiring process.
Both are possible, but quality leadership often needs on-site time in the plant or office. A Quality Manager can review systems, reports, and action plans remotely, while audits, shopfloor reviews, and team alignment usually work better on-site. Many clients use a hybrid setup, especially in Germany.
Ask for examples of solved quality problems, not just systems they have managed. A strong Head of Quality can explain how they reduced recurring issues, improved audit readiness, and handled difficult stakeholders. Clear thinking, structured follow-through, and practical results matter more than polished wording.
A freelance Quality Director should expect to work across operations, not only inside the quality department. The job often includes fast diagnosis, clear priorities, and visible support for line managers and process owners. Success depends on trust, quick orientation, and the ability to make decisions with limited ramp-up time.
The average hourly rate for Heads of Quality in Germany is 114 €, which corresponds to a daily rate of about 912 € based on an 8-hour working day.
Of the freelancers working as Heads of Quality in Germany, 89% hold at least a Bachelor's degree, 56% hold at least a Master's degree, and 6% hold a doctorate.
On average, freelancers working as Heads of Quality in Germany have 25 years of professional experience, with a single engagement typically lasting around 4.1 years.
The most common languages among freelancers working as Heads of Quality in Germany are German (100%), English (91%), and French (18%).
The most common industries among freelancers working as Heads of Quality in Germany are Manufacturing (68%), Automotive (55%), and Healthcare (45%).
The most common business areas among freelancers working as Heads of Quality in Germany are Quality Assurance (100%), Operations (73%), and Project Management (73%).
FRATCH Heads of Quality main locations
Our freelancers and interim experts are at home across the DACH region — available on-site in the major business hubs or fully remote. Choose a location to discover matched specialists, local market insights and up-to-date availability.
Berlin Hamburg Munich Cologne Frankfurt Stuttgart Dusseldorf Leipzig Dortmund Essen Bremen Dresden Hanover Nuremberg Request a free demo
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Philipp Thomaschewski
FRATCH CEO
