1364 Interim Quality Leader – Ramp-up

About Our Client:

Our client is a PE-backed European industrial technology manufacturer operating in advanced mechanical, and precision manufacturing markets. The business serves demanding international B2B customers across industrial, defence-related, and high-performance engineered applications.

The company employs more than 700 people and operates from a substantial manufacturing base in the Czech Republic, with customer exposure across Europe and wider international defence markets.

Following a significant scale-up in defence-related orders, the business is entering an exciting phase of operational growth. To support increasing customer demand and ensure the successful expansion of manufacturing capacity, the business requires interim quality leadership to improve first-pass yield, reduce rework, optimise quality processes, and release additional capacity across the manufacturing operation.

Project Description:

This is a 3-6 month interim quality transformation mandate reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer.

The Interim Quality Leader will take ownership of a large quality organisation within a complex manufacturing environment. The assignment is focused on improving first-pass yield, reducing internal quality costs, optimising inspection activities, and increasing operational throughput without compromising customer quality standards.

This is not a compliance-focused quality role. The priority is hands-on interim executive leadership that strengthens quality performance while helping the wider manufacturing organisation achieve higher output and productivity.

Key priorities include:

• Improve first-pass yield and reduce internal rework across manufacturing operations.
• Identify and eliminate quality-related bottlenecks limiting production throughput.
• Review and optimise inspection activities, controls, and quality workflows.
• Increase productivity and effectiveness within the quality organisation.
• Strengthen quality KPIs, accountability, escalation processes, and performance management.
• Support manufacturing teams in improving process capability and operational discipline.
• Work closely with production, engineering, planning, and operational excellence teams to drive measurable business results.

Interim Manager Required Skills:

• Proven experience leading quality functions within complex manufacturing environments.
• Strong track record improving first-pass yield, reducing rework, and increasing manufacturing productivity.
• Experience transforming quality organisations from inspection-focused to performance-focused operations.
• Strong expertise in quality management systems, root cause analysis, process capability, and continuous improvement.
• Experience supporting operational turnaround, operational excellence, or performance improvement programmes.
• Ability to work effectively with production, engineering, and operational leadership teams.
• Strong leadership and coaching skills with experience managing sizeable quality organisations.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills and the ability to influence at both shopfloor and executive level.
• Fluent Czech required. English language is highly advantageous.

Key Requirements:

• Quality Leadership,
• First-Pass Yield Improvement,
• Rework Reduction,
• Quality Transformation,
• Operational Excellence,
• Manufacturing Performance Improvement

Type of Assignment:

Interim

Scope of Interim Assignment:

Manufacturing Ramp-up, Growth Acceleration

Functional Area of the Interim Manager:

Operations

Location:

Czech Republic

Duration:

3-6 months

Start Date:

June 2026

Why work with us?

CE Interim delivers proven executive interim leaders within 72 hours across borders, cultures, and industries. We specialize in high-impact interim management for private equity firms, family offices, and global corporations facing moments of transition: digital transformation, market entry, operational turnaround, post-merger integration, or crisis.

What sets us apart is not just the speed or depth of our network, it’s how we lead. Every engagement is personally guided by a CE Interim managing partner: former CEOs, CFOs, or COOs who’ve been on your side of the table, steering organizations through high-stakes decisions.

With a global talent pool and operational reach spanning Europe, the USA, and the Middle East, we don’t fill roles, we build trust, lead transitions, and deliver outcomes.

As part of the Valtus Alliance, the world’s largest alliance of Executive Interim Management companies, we ensure seamless international execution through 25+ offices and 80+ senior partners in over 50 countries.

Executive Leadership Breaking Borders. Outcomes Without Compromise.