A vacant or overburdened QM leadership position is more than an organizational problem. Certifications fall behind schedule, complaints pile up, and the trust of customers and certification bodies is at stake. This topic closes the leadership gap – from selective sparring to fully taking over the mandate with functional decision-making authority.

Economically, bridging a leadership gap is usually the more cost-effective solution compared to the consequences of not doing so – lost certifications, missed audits, or escalating quality problems typically weigh more heavily than the cost of a fixed-term mandate. The effort on your side remains predictable. You book exactly the scope that fits your situation – from a few days per week to a full-time takeover, for a fixed term of 3 to 12 months.

This keeps your QM function fully operational throughout, and at the end it is handed over cleanly and in a structured way to a permanent successor.

Modular Structure

Three stages, independently bookable

1

Interim Sparring

Selective support
  • Available on short notice, no commitment
  • For audits & certification phases
  • Billed at a daily rate
2

Interim Partial Mandate

Clearly defined area of responsibility
  • 2–3 days per week
  • Functional leadership of a defined area
  • Predictable monthly scope
3

Interim Full Mandate

Complete takeover of the role
  • Full-time on-site
  • Functional leadership responsibility
  • Including handover to a successor

Not a sequential staged model, but three independent engagement models — from selective support to fully taking over the mandate.

The modules can be commissioned independently of one another and close leadership gaps in quality management — selectively, on a planned basis, or completely.

In Detail

The three modules in detail

Goal, target group, and service components of each module — each module can be commissioned independently.

01

Module 1: Interim Sparring

Goal

Bringing experienced QM leadership on board selectively — as a sparring partner for existing leadership or management.

Target group

Companies with a filled but overburdened or newly appointed QM leadership position that need experienced support in the background during critical phases such as certification preparation, customer audits, or complaint peaks.

Service components

  • Regular sparring with QM leadership or management, typically one day per week
  • Second opinion and reassurance for critical decisions and escalations
  • Preparation for audits, customer visits, and certification appointments
  • On-the-job onboarding of newly appointed QM managers
  • Available on short notice, with no long-term commitment or framework agreement
02

Module 2: Interim Partial Mandate

Goal

Taking functional responsibility for a clearly defined area within the QM function.

Target group

Companies with a specific capacity shortfall — for example during a certification project, a system transition, or as long as a partial function such as complaint management remains unstaffed.

Service components

  • Functional responsibility for a defined sub-area, e.g. certification management or complaint and 8D processes
  • Acting as the interface to customers, suppliers, and certification bodies within the area taken over
  • Close coordination with the existing QM organization and management
  • Handover-ready documentation of all decisions and processes
  • A predictable, fixed number of days per week with clearly defined interfaces
03

Module 3: Interim Full Mandate

Goal

Full functional leadership of the QM function through to a sustainable handover.

Target group

Companies without a filled QM leadership position — due to a vacancy, a short-notice absence, or as part of a succession plan, restructuring, or new site setup.

Service components

  • Full functional leadership of the QM team
  • Ensuring certification readiness per ISO 9001, IATF 16949, and VDA 6.3
  • Acting as the point of contact for management, customers, suppliers, and certification bodies
  • Managing complaint and 8D processes as well as audit preparation
  • Structured search for a successor, onboarding, and knowledge transfer
  • Personnel decisions (hiring, performance reviews, termination) remain with the client

Does this topic fit your situation?

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