Frankfurt Rhine-Main Metropolitan Area
Executive leader at the intersection of operational excellence, AI, digital transformation and strategy. With 15+ years of leadership experience, I combine consulting expertise with operational responsibility to deliver measurable impact. As EVP at Heraeus, I lead a global team of 65 experts, delivering 100+ projects annually within the group with customer satisfaction of 8.9/10. I work closely with the Board and business unit CEOs on AI, strategy, and innovation. Passionate about creating measurable business impact while developing people into future leaders. --- In my current role as Group Digital & Excellence Officer (EVP) at Heraeus, I lead the Heraeus Excellence unit (Commercial & Supply Chain Excellence) and the Heraeus Digital Hub, guiding 65 professionals across Europe, Asia, and the US. I work closely with the Board and business unit CEOs, ensuring alignment, trust, and measurable impact at the highest level. Each year, my teams deliver over 100 projects with an average customer satisfaction of 8.9/10, spanning AI-driven solutions in manufacturing, quality, customer service, innovation, and sales. A key achievement has been transforming the function from a traditional corporate cost center into a unit with scalable, value-adding services recognized across the group. Beyond digital initiatives, my team and myself steer strategic projects such as business line strategies, Value Creation Plans and corporate startup evaluations, often working directly alongside business unit managing directors. The unit has evolved into both a trusted transformation partner and a talent flagship, with many alumni advancing into leadership positions across Heraeus. What drives me is creating sustainable value through innovation, data, and clear strategies – while developing people into leaders. Key interests: Digitalization, AI in industrial applications, change management, and leadership. Outside of work, I am actively involved in my family’s wine estate and enjoy politics and film.
Leading the Heraeus Excellence unit (Commercial & Supply Chain Excellence) and the Digital Hub with 65 staff across Europe, Asia, and the US. Working closely with the Board and business unit CEOs to drive alignment and impact, delivering 100+ projects per year with 8.8/10 customer satisfaction. A key focus has been advancing AI-driven solutions, strategic projects (BL strategies, Value Creation Plans, due diligences), and developing a recognized talent pipeline for the group. Together with our operating companies, we have have delivered impactful AI initiatives, including: - AI for Quartz Glass Quality: Co-developed with Heraeus Comvance & Conamic, we built an in-house AI solution that replaces manual inspection of quartz glass. The system detects bubbles and cracks with real-time precision, setting a new standard in quality assurance for semiconductors, telecom, and high-tech applications. - AI-Driven Kiln Optimization: The team created an AI model that improved quartz glass kiln loading by 50%, resulting in €1.3M additional annual output, 120 MWh energy savings, and 114 tons less CO₂ emissions. This work was honored with the Heraeus Focus Award 2023. - Scaling AI Across Heraeus: From the Heraeus AI Assistant (generative AI in daily workflows) to classical AI in production, the team enabled a systematic rollout of AI across the group, supporting productivity, efficiency, and digital adoption. The Excellence and Digital Hub teams’ contributions were recognized with Heraeus Awards for outstanding projects in 2022, 2023, and 2024.
Led the digital transformation of Heraeus Precious Metals, driving initiatives such as myHeraeus.com (trading & recycling platform with single-digit billion trading volume, 93% customer satisfaction), automation in precious metals refining and the launch of heraeus-gold.de, a B2C eCommerce investment platform. Recognized with three Heraeus Awards for Digital Transformation (2018, 2019, 2021).
Managed sales and business development activities across the US, China, Japan, and Korea in the semiconductor, biotech, and optoelectronics sectors. Achieved an 80% sales increase for the IR-Cut Filter through a new sales strategy and optimized product portfolio. Identified €21M in new business opportunities across 12 applications and successfully launched FOTURAN II to market, including pricing strategy and partner acquisition.
Led the #1 project on the CEO’s agenda, driving the strategic reorganization of Sales, Operative Sales, Customer Service, and Product Management. Additionally responsible for the strategic planning process of the Business Unit, shaping long-term direction and execution.
Associate in the Chemicals, High-Tech & Pharma practice with project experience across Europe, the US, and Asia. Focused on complexity management, post-merger integration, procurement performance management, and cost optimization, delivering measurable savings (8–15% in global cost programs) and driving strategic transformations for leading clients.