Rainer Meyer
Mentor & Quality Lead
Experience
Aug 2024 - Nov 2024
4 months Zehdenick, Germany
Mentor & Quality Lead
Diehl Advanced Mobility GmbH
- Restructured operational quality assurance
- Reduced scrap costs
- Mentor for new quality manager
- No staff responsibility
Apr 2024 - Jul 2024
4 months Krefeld, Germany
Interim QHSE Manager Europe
Akiem Technik GmbH
- Set up operational quality assurance for rail maintenance
- Built complaint management
- Transformed European sites
- No staff responsibility
Feb 2023 - Feb 2024
1 year 1 month Bitterfeld-Wolfen, Germany
Interim Quality Manager / Deputy Operations Manager
HKR Automotive GmbH
- Led 15 staff
- Restructured and built quality department
- Handled customer & supplier complaints
- Reduced scrap by changing process and product design
- Restructured QMS
- Continuous improvement project: Lean Management (OEE boost)
- Coordinated and passed IATF 16949 certification
- Built digital KPIs
- Coached plant management (strategy & operations)
- Reporting line: plant management, CEO, CTO, shareholders
May 2022 - Jan 2023
9 months Berlin, Germany
Project Lead Intralogistics
Siemens AG
- No direct staff leadership, team coaching
- Planned new intralogistics for plant relocation
- Structured project
- Reporting line: SCM head, plant management
Oct 2021 - May 2022
8 months Itzehoe, Germany
Confidential QM/Operations Projects for Battery Cell Production
Custom Cells GmbH
- Led 2 staff
- Aviation development projects
- Automotive & aviation
- Reporting line: operations, quality head, CEO
Jan 2020 - Oct 2021
1 year 10 months Karlsruhe, Germany
Interim QM Lead Europe
SAS Autosystemtechnik GmbH
- Led 16 staff
- Functional Q lead for 9 European plants
- Transformed QM systems for SAS–Faurecia
- Led VW & Audi taskforce to improve JIS supply performance
- Disciplinary Q lead / deputy plant manager
- Coordinated and passed IATF 16949 certification
- Restructured quality at Meerane plant
- Reporting line: VP Customer Satisfaction & QM, COO, CEO
Jul 2019 - Nov 2019
5 months Wörth am Rhein, Germany
Senior Expert
Webasto Mechatronic GmbH
- Optimized electronics production incl. internal logistics & engineering for wallboxes and power electronics
- Reporting line: CEO
Jul 2019 - Sep 2019
3 months Velten, Germany
Interim Head of Development/Design
Wall GmbH
- Led 17 staff
- Covered illness absence
- Reporting line: CEO
Feb 2019 - Jun 2019
5 months Wörth am Rhein, Germany
Interim Head of Quality Department
Webasto Mechatronic GmbH
- Led 9–12 staff
- Restructured quality department
- Validated products/processes (e.g. power electronics)
- Rebuilt quality area
- Reporting line: CEO
Oct 2018 - Feb 2019
5 months Markgröningen, Germany
Senior Expert for Supplier Selection & E-Motor Engineering
ACPS Automotive GmbH
- No staff responsibility
- Electric trailer hitch
- Reporting line: CEO, head of design
Mar 2018 - Oct 2018
8 months Hildesheim, Germany
Interim Project Manager
Aptiv GmbH
- Led 8 staff
- Outsourcing and relocation
- Series support and launch management
- Tracked product validation actions
- Reporting line: development head, program management
Dec 2017 - Mar 2018
4 months Eisenach, Germany
Senior Management Expert Scrap Reduction
Rebo lightning GmbH
- No staff responsibility
- Technical/economic evaluation of production, products and complaints
- Optimized internal logistics & costs
- Change management in production
- Coached CEO (operations) and operations manager
- Reporting line: plant management, CEO, Chinese owners
Jun 2017 - Dec 2017
7 months Ludwigsfelde, Germany
Interim Project Manager BMW Project
Gestamp Umformtechnik
- Led 6 staff
- Evaluated tools and parts for pre-series
- Reporting line: plant management
Feb 2017 - May 2017
4 months Munich, Germany
Interim Program Manager BMW Project
Magna Seating
- Led 9 staff
- Interior, seating
- Reporting line: international management circle
Nov 2014 - Jan 2017
2 years 3 months Langenfeld, Germany
Interim COO
redi Group GmbH
- Led 220 staff (indirect >600)
- Personnel, budget and results responsibility
- Restructured entire technical area
- Led engineering, metrology and control departments
- International projects (focus Mexico) with OEM and Tier 1 incl. relocation Germany to Mexico
- Supplier development, task force, ramp-up management
- Supplier development: optimized product & process for head-up displays for premium OEM, incl. software QS and validation review
- Defined and implemented PAR program (Prevention/Action/Reaction) from development to series
- Reporting line: CEO, owners
Jun 2014 - Nov 2014
6 months Lüdenscheid, Germany
Senior Expert
Kostal GmbH
- No staff responsibility
- Supplier development (national/international)
Apr 2014 - Dec 2015
9 months Lippstadt, Germany
Senior Quality Expert
BHTC GmbH
- No staff responsibility
- Interface analyses in quality with Automotive SPICE needs
- Concept to reduce quality costs
- Reporting line: plant management, quality head
Mar 2014 - May 2014
3 months Hanover, Germany
Change Management & Coaching
Nexans GmbH
- No staff responsibility
- Change management and coaching to implement growth strategy
- Reporting line: CEO
Apr 2013 - Jan 2014
10 months Berlin, Germany
Head of Quality Management with Staff Responsibility
Lautsprecher Teufel GmbH
- Led 21 staff (Germany, China)
- Built new quality management area
- Restructured QM tasks in Hamburg, Berlin and TangXia/China with interfaces to purchasing, suppliers, logistics, development
- Relocated products within China
- Introduced 8D reporting at suppliers (China) and supplier reporting
- Introduced quality assurance for development projects
- Budget and staff leadership
- Quality costs along logistics chains
- Introduced KPIs and project reviews
- Reporting line: CEO, CFO
Jun 2011 - Apr 2013
1 year 11 months Berlin, Germany
Senior Consultant Quality Management: E-Machines
Daimler AG / EM Motive GmbH
- Led 7 staff
- Industrialized E-machines incl. pre-series builds
- Process/quality approval of complex assembly systems
- Interface between Daimler (PL), suppliers and Bosch/EM
- Transferred equipment & products from Daimler Berlin plant to JV partner EM Motive GmbH, Hildesheim
- Completed successful VDA 6.3 audit
- Reporting line: Daimler division head, EM Motive CEO
Jun 2011 - Dec 2011
7 months Bratislava, Slovakia
Supply Quality Rear Lights
Volkswagen
- Touareg, Porsche Cayenne
- Improved quality and secured volumes
- Weekly Q reviews
- Reporting line: VW purchased parts quality head
Feb 2010 - Jun 2011
1 year 5 months Wolfsburg, Germany
HybridQuality Management & Project Lead
Volkswagen AG
- No direct staff, international teamwork
- Hybrid/E drivetrains (VW, Porsche, Audi)
- Troubleshooting suppliers (Czech, China)
- Purchase part quality for hybrid/E components: e-machines, power electronics, HV connectors, BMS
- Supplier qualification in Czech & China via fault analysis, operating data and measurements
- First samples of HV connectors (incl. functional safety)
- Prioritized vehicle functions with ASIL ratings considering SW interfaces
- Task forces: China for start-up and serial supply; relocation within China and supplier selection
- Interface between VW design, development/system partners, brands, procurement and suppliers
- Assessed product and process validations at suppliers (HV connectors, power electronics, e-motor)
- Prepared division/board updates
- Reporting line: VW division head, group quality head
Jan 2009 - May 2010
5 months Molsheim, France
Task Force Headlights
Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S.
- No staff responsibility
- Quality assurance of products and processes (injection molding, assembly)
- Ensured supply capability (supplier in UK)
- Weekly Q reviews
- Reporting line: purchasing, technical planning Bugatti
Aug 2009 - Feb 2010
7 months Zwickau, Germany
Project Lead: Factory of the Future / Cockpit Assembly
SAS Autosystemtechnik
- Led 5 staff
- Designed, simulated and validated alternative JIS solutions (novel logistics concept)
- Detailed study to shift from 3- to 2-shift with HR and works council
- Evaluated and planned new site incl. GC selection and factory planning
- Series start-up planning and emergency strategies
- Coordinated with VW Mosel plant
- Aligned with labor partners
- Reporting line: plant management, CEO
Jan 2009 - Dec 2009
1 year Bad Salzdetfurth, Germany
Senior Expert Production/Process Optimization, Q Project Lead, Interim QM Lead
Fuba GmbH
- Led 3 staff
- Projects for Daimler/BMW/Ford: antenna systems
- Industrialized antenna systems
- Q project lead for new antenna systems for various OEMs
- Interim QM lead during restructuring
- Strategic advice on cost-efficient assembly/process optimization
- Six Sigma analyses in production and process flow optimization with design improvements
- Conducted internal audits per VDA/ISO TS 16949
- Process and product audits for BMW, Mercedes, Ford
- Reporting line: plant management
Aug 2005 - Feb 2009
3 years 7 months Reynosa, Mexico
Project Lead: Quality Assurance
Delphi Delco Electronics GmbH
- Led 4 staff
- Projects: Saab, Opel, Audi navigation systems; VW radios; Toll Collect system
- Cost reduction in navigation system development (HW/SW)
- Change management: set up processes for prototype build, startup and failure analysis
- QA project lead for new infotainment systems incl. customer approvals and series handover
- Designed service/repair site in Czech Republic incl. service partner selection
- Analyzed returns and zero-km failures as lessons learned
- Teardown analyses in prototype phases
- Supplier audits (electronics, electro-mechanics, assembly) per VDA 6.3/ISO TS 16949
- FMEA moderation (software, design, process, system)
- Software FMEA with multicultural dev team
- Assessed internal/external validation of components and assemblies
- International troubleshooting
- Monthly Q and gate reviews at management level
- Reporting line: program manager, dev head
Apr 2005 - Jun 2005
3 months Wiesbaden, Germany
Restructuring Concept
Elenxis GmbH / Nord Control
- Technical assessment of automotive supplier (four sites) for restructuring concept incl. VDA 6.1/6.3 audits
- Strategic redesign concept
- Developed short- and long-term measures to boost productivity at three sites
Oct 2004 - Jun 2006
1 year 9 months Buxtehude, Germany
Supplier Audits
Airbus/KID Systeme
- Audited aerospace suppliers (national/international) in metal, plastics, cable, PCB and electronics per EN9100
Jun 2003 - Jul 2005
2 years 2 months Recklinghausen, Germany
Project Lead: Change Management & Cost Reduction
Hella Hueck KGaA & Co
- Led 4 staff, teamwork
- Electronics production, rework and headlight assembly
- Built cross-plant failure analysis database and coordinated external partners to capture costs and daily reporting to cut quality costs
- FMEA moderation
- Process optimization in lines per tech and economic needs
- Weak-point analysis and restructured defect and scrap management
- Redesigned production workflows
- Reporting line: plant management, production technology head
Feb 2003 - Apr 2004
1 year 3 months Cologne, Germany
Quality Lead Development Project “Automaxx and Gibomaxx”
ESG GmbH
- QA for HW/SW development
- Coordinated mechanical and electronic partners
- FMEA moderation and action implementation
- Created requirements specs with tech and production needs
- Supplier selection (HW/SW) and audits
- Reporting line: division head
Jul 2001 - Jan 2003
1 year 7 months Nuremberg, Germany
QA Project Lead: VW Infotainment, Toll Collect
Grundig GmbH
- QA lead (product development)
- Deputy project lead
- FMEA moderation and actions
- Supplier audits per VDA/ISO 9001 and audit support
- Implemented QM measures for “Electronic Toll Collect” incl. confidential repair concept
- Optimized cross-company processes
- Reporting line: quality head
Apr 2001 - May 2001
2 months Munich, Germany
Training & Consulting
Teradyne GmbH
- Trained and advised on new optical inspection systems
- Advised US management
Jan 2001 - Apr 2001
4 months Bruchsal, Germany
Process Optimization (Electronics)
Siemens AG
- No staff, teamwork
- Tech support in PSGA part production
- Selected equipment, suppliers and optimized processes
Dec 2000 - Dec 2002
1 year 1 month Dreieich, Germany
Lecture Series
Speedline Technologies GmbH
- Delivered lectures in Germany, Hungary and Switzerland
Mar 2000 - Mar 2001
1 year 1 month Hildesheim, Germany
Group Leader
Blaupunkt Werke
- Led 13 staff
- Led and coordinated “Production Technology” group
- Built and trained “Assembly Technology” team
- Implemented quality goals in assembly tech for new tech
- Selected and commissioned complex assembly systems and SW programming
- Planned new production lines strategically
- Reporting line: plant management, production tech head
May 1999 - Nov 1999
7 months Hanau, Germany
Built Germany Branch
Heller Industries Deutschland GmbH
Apr 1999 - Feb 2001
1 year 11 months Hildesheim, Germany
Project Lead
Blaupunkt Werke
- Developed “Fine Pitch BGA” process to series ready with special tech requirements
- Designed, built and commissioned new lines (SMD and assembly)
- Qualified and validated bonding and potting processes
Jan 1997 - Dec 1998
2 years Dreieich, Germany
Key Account Manager Siemens & Bosch
Speedline Technolgies GmbH
- Project/customer consulting (Europe) on production, tech and economic tasks
- Technical talks at partners and universities
- Application support: smart card production processes
- Reporting line: CEO
Oct 1988 - Dec 1997
8 years 3 months Berlin, Germany
Group Leader
Siemens AG
- Built electronics assembly technical center
- Led 11 staff
- Off-tariff staff since 1991
- Led “Production Technology Development” group
- Tech and production support to plants (Europe)
- Training for process optimization
- Weak-point analyses in Siemens and customer plants
- Standardization work: SMD tech, Siemens AG and DKE
- Coordinated with automation business unit
- Presented at international fairs
- Reporting line: division head
May 1985 - Oct 1988
3 years 6 months Munich, Germany
Mobile Phone Production Tech & SMD Setup
Siemens AG
- Introduced SMD for mobile phones to series
- Built production tech group
- Established phone line incl. machinery procurement
- Transferred know-how to second site
- Joined cross-plant teams
- Reporting line: division & department heads
- Reference: Siemens AG board award
Summary
Over 25 years of experience in engineering, supplier and quality management at both OEM and Tier 1–n with international assignments (e.g. China, Mexico)
Leadership experience at all company levels in quality and production
Extensive method know-how in quality management, e.g. FTA, FMEA, complaint handling (8D), QFD, Ishikawa, PPAP, APQP, continuous improvement
Strong focus on efficiency (OEE), root-cause analysis and solutions
Development, production, quality, logistics and suppliers
Engaged motivator with an eye on costs, economics and sustainability
Generalist with strong strategic and technical skills, plus organizational and change management experience, including restructuring
Over 10 years of leadership at second management level
Over 8 years in middle management in automotive and electronics industry, corporate and mid-size
Highly international with many short- to medium-term overseas assignments (e.g. supplier task forces) within EU, USA, Mexico and China
Broad industry expertise in automotive and electronics sectors
Infectious drive for new ideas and approaches
Authentic, value-oriented, focusing on sustainability, positive curiosity and personal integrity
Strong success and problem-solving orientation with high social skills and teamwork
Decisive combined with participative leadership of support and challenge
Results- and cost-oriented as key to sustainability
Dynamic strategic visionary with high implementation skills, focused on innovation, product realization and services
Authentic in actions and decisions
Languages
German
Native
English
Advanced
Italian
Elementary
Education
Oct 1981 - Jun 1985
Cologne University of Applied Sciences
Dipl.-Ing. Production Engineering · Production Engineering / Mechanical Engineering · Cologne, Germany
Oct 1980 - Jun 1981
Ratingen Technical High School
University Entrance Diploma · Ratingen, Germany
Oct 1975 - Jun 1980
Mannesmann Tube Works
Power Plant Electrician, Electrical Installer · Düsseldorf, Germany
Certifications & licenses
Certified Expert per ISO/IEC 17024: Automotive Failure Analysis
Process Auditor VDA 6.3
VDA, Hann. Münden
Process Auditor VDA 6.3
VDA, Hann. Münden
Systemic Business Coach
Internal Auditor ISO 9001
DGQ
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