Axel Berger

Chief Digital & Sustainability Officer | CEO | Speaker | #enkelfähig

Duisburg, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

About

Mechanical Engineer (Dipl.-Ing.), MBA with international responsibilities in various positions in a Top 100 building material and building material distribution enterprise. General Manager with 13 years leadership experience with up to 170 employees and continuous P&L responsibility. Expertise in Digital Transformation processes and eBusiness in a B2B environment, including eCommerce, Digital Marketing (SEO/SEA, Social Media, Websites, etc.), Product Information Management (PIM) and Data Mining. International Marketing responsibility of an industrial Business Unit with 250 production sites and more than 2 bn.€ yearly turnover. Responsible Sales Manager for various technologically demanding building products. Experienced in successfully operating, developing and restructuring production as well as wholesale outlets.

Experience

  • Franz Haniel & Cie. GmbH (Full-time · 6 yrs 2 mos)
    • Chief Digital & Sustainability Officer
      May 2023 - Present · 3 yrs 2 mos

      Franz Haniel & Cie. GmbH is a 100 percent family-owned company, headquartered in Duisburg since its foundation in 1756. It manages a portfolio of independent businesses to create value for generations. It pursues a structured investment strategy; combining a strict focus on sustainability with a clear performance orientation. Originally being in charge for Digitalization as well as Sustainability strategies for the group, Axel is now focusing on Sustainability Development as Chief Sustainability Officer of the group. Within Sustainability Axel concentrates primarily on operationalization of Sustainability to combine profitability and sustainability and optimize investments returns while improving the Sustainability performance of the companies.

    • Digitalization & Sustainability Lead
      May 2020 - May 2023 · 3 yrs 1 mo

  • Executive Board Member at enkelfähig e.V.
    Nov 2023 - Present · 2 yrs 8 mos

    The enkelfähig e.V. is a European movement of like minded company decision makers who incorporate entrepreneurship with ecological and social responsibility, generating value for generations. The enkelfähig e.V. acts as a think tank to generate impulses, giving businesses orientation as well as concrete tools to: 1. combine profitability with non financial value (=enkelfähig), 2. push for courageous economical transformation and 3. provide a platform for a network of pioneers for constant development and learning and future oriented projects. Together we stand for an optimistic narrative, believe in continuous improvement that is based on scientific evidence. We Redefine Growth for a Future Worth Living.

  • CEO / Geschäftsführer at thyssenkrupp Materials IoT GmbH
    Jun 2019 - May 2020 · 1 yr

    Consulting, implementation and operation of IIoT / Industrie 4.0 Software solutions for industrial applications and machine automation.

  • Chief Digital Officer (CDO) at thyssenkrupp Materials Services
    Feb 2016 - May 2020 · 4 yrs 4 mos

    Set-up and implementation of the company's digital strategy. Development and leadership of all Digital Transformation Projects in regards to Online Shops / EDI / eCommerce, Automation, Fulfillment, Product Information Management (PIM), Data Mining, Collaboration and Change Management.

  • Saint-Gobain Building Distribution Deutschland GmbH (6 yrs 10 mos)
    • Business Manager eBusiness / eCommerce
      Jun 2014 - Jan 2016 · 1 yr 8 mos

      Set-up and implementation of the company's eCommerce and eBusiness strategy. Development and leadership of all eBusiness actvities in regards to Online Shops, Digital Marketing, Product Information Management (PIM), sales supporting mobile applications, data mining and data driven marketing and sales.

    • Director Marketing & Strategic Sales
      Jun 2011 - Jun 2014 · 3 yrs 1 mo

      Director for Marketing, Communication, Strategic Sales, Corporate Development, Price Management, CRM, eCommerce, Key Account Management (KAM) and Brand Management.

    • Business Manager Photovoltaic
      Jun 2011 - Apr 2014 · 2 yrs 11 mos

      Business Manager for SOLARKAUF the photovoltaic sales organization of Saint-Gobain Building Distribution Deutschland GmbH.