Kai Müller - Head of Quality Assurance

Q: Where is Kai based?

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

Q: What languages does Kai speak?

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

Q: How many years of experience does Kai have?

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 3 months . Note that Kai may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.

Q: What companies has Kai worked for in recent years?

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

Q: Which industries is Kai most experienced in?

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

Q: Which business areas is Kai most experienced in?

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

Q: Which industries has Kai worked in recently?

Kai has recently worked in industries like Manufacturing and Automotive .

Q: Which business areas has Kai worked in recently?

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

Q: What is Kai's education?

Kai attended sgd Darmstadt for Mechanical Engineering .

Recommended expert

Wetter (Ruhr), Germany

Experience

Oct 2024 - Mar 2025

6 months

Tier 1 Battery Management Systems

Fully automated screw processes and application processes
General processes like employee training
Participation in task force meetings with OEM customers
Six Sigma
Staff training
Improvement processes
Escalation processes

Jan 2024 - Jun 2024

6 months

Technical Spring Manufacturing

Improving sustainability in nonconformity handling
Introducing shop floor management and running a Six Sigma project
Escalation processes
Analysis processes
Shop floor management
Six Sigma

Nov 2023 - Present

2 years 4 months

Mechanical Machining

Further developing the QMS ISO 9001 towards certification to IATF 16949
ISO 9001
IATF 16949
Process modeling in production and administrative processes

Aug 2023 - Present

2 years 7 months

Automotive Software

Reviewing existing documentation
Identifying open tasks
Creating procedure descriptions for management, core, and support processes
Advising on the further development of the management system under ISO 9001 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 administration effort 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 the quality management departments at two locations
Supported the implementation of process descriptions
Assisted with the implementation of the Babtec CAQ system
Supported the restructuring of the service and complaints department
Led a team of 11 employees
Supported the introduction of KPI-driven processes in the IMS area
Managed key (A) customers
Accompanied customer audits
Process management
CAQ systems
8D processes
KVP (continuous improvement)
ISO 9001
Customer escalation processes

Sep 2021 - Dec 2021

4 months

Commercial Vehicle Locking Systems

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

Jan 2019 - Dec 2021

3 years

Head of Quality Assurance

Water and Soft Drink Dispensing Systems

Improved main customer satisfaction
Prepared the relocation of the entire assembly to the Czech Republic
Trained quality staff from the Czech Republic in all quality topics
Supplier development
Led a team of 6 employees
Customer escalation processes
Product relocations

Jan 2008 - Dec 2018

11 years

Quality Management Representative and Head of Project Management

Automotive Supplier for Mechanical and Mechatronic Systems

Developed an IMS according to ISO 9001, 14001 and IATF 16949 standards
Implemented KPI reporting
QMR for four sites in Germany, Poland and Mexico
Led the project management team
Point of contact for customers in escalation processes
Established a structured supplier development program
Core tools trainer
Point of contact for department managers in the regulatory environment
Projects in pedestrian protection (Audi) and e-mobility (Porsche)
Led a team of 40 employees
Supported the establishment of hood latch system production in Mexico
Audits
Supplier audits
Supplier management

Jan 2007 - Dec 2008

2 years

Head of Quality Management, QMR

Steel Service Center

Led a team of 4 employees
Enhanced the complaint handling process
Upgraded the management system from ISO 9001 to TS 16949
Started introducing an environmental management system
Audits
Management systems

Jan 2001 - Dec 2006

6 years

Deputy Head of Quality Management

Automotive Supplier for Mechanical Systems

Team leadership (30 people)
Established 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

Industries Experience

See where this freelancer has spent most of their professional time. Longer bars indicate deeper hands-on experience, while shorter ones reflect targeted or project-based work.

Experienced in Automotive (19.5 years), Manufacturing (6.5 years), and Metals and Mining (2 years).

Automotive

Manufacturing

Metals and Mining

Business Areas Experience

The graph below provides a cumulative view of the freelancer's experience across multiple business areas, calculated from completed and active engagements. It highlights the areas where the freelancer has most frequently contributed to planning, execution, and delivery of business outcomes.

Experienced in Quality Assurance (25 years), Project Management (11.5 years), Supply Chain Management (11 years), Operations (9.5 years), Sustainability Management (0.5 years), and Business Intelligence (0.5 years).

Quality Assurance

Project Management

Supply Chain Management

Operations

Sustainability Management

Business Intelligence

Summary

Mechanical Engineering Technician
20 years experience in quality management
16 years in automotive supplier industry
Corporate and mid-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

1st/2nd Party Auditor IATF 16949:2016

Update VDA 6.3

Core Tools (VDA)

Process Auditor VDA 6.3

Six Sigma Green + Black Belt

Auditor ISO 9001

DGQ

Process Auditor VDA 6.3

DGQ Environmental Representative

DGQ

GMMOG

VDA

Process Auditor VDA 6.3

Quality Auditor

TÜV

DGQ Quality Representative and Internal Auditor

VDA 6.3 Certificate No. 63-2211-104350

DGQ

Profile

Created

April 2025

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Frequently asked questions

Do you have questions? Here you can find further information.

Where is Kai based?

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

What languages does Kai speak?

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

How many years of experience does Kai have?

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 3 months. Note that Kai may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.

What roles would Kai be best suited for?

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

What companies has Kai worked for in recent years?

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

Which industries is Kai most experienced in?

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

Which business areas is Kai most experienced in?

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

Which industries has Kai worked in recently?

Kai has recently worked in industries like Manufacturing and Automotive.

Which business areas has Kai worked in recently?

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

What is Kai's education?

Kai attended sgd Darmstadt for Mechanical Engineering.

Does Kai have any certificates?

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