Salzkotten, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
Senior executive with 25+ years of international experience in industrial operations, transformation and performance improvement. My professional focus lies in understanding complex systems and transforming organizations into structured, transparent and performance-driven setups. I have led large-scale transformation initiatives, post-merger integrations and restructuring programs across global industrial companies. I strongly believe that sustainable performance is not the result of isolated cost-cutting measures, but the consequence of clear structures, well-designed processes and aligned accountability. My background is deeply rooted in operations. I started my career in production and continue to think from the shopfloor to the corporate level. Transformation must always serve the operational reality of a company. What drives me most is seeing organizations and people develop. Some of the most rewarding moments in my career have been when individuals I once gave a chance have grown into strong contributors and leaders themselves. I remain convinced that industrial value creation in Germany has a strong future if companies continue to improve how they operate and develop the people within their organizations. I have been fortunate to receive opportunities in my career – and to pass opportunities on to others. Curiosity has always been my driving force, and strong teams the vehicle that carried us to our goals.
Vice President Operations & Indirect Procurement (CEE) Regional responsibility for operations-related indirect spend (~€1.3bn) across 10 countries, 80+ production sites and a team of ~115 FTE. Key Contributions & Achievements: • Implemented the FORVIA target operating model across the CEE region following the HELLA–Faurecia integration • Led full organizational integration of legacy HELLA and Faurecia procurement teams into one unified regional structure • Delivered structural cost synergies including workforce resizing (>30%) while maintaining operational stability • Strengthened KPI-based performance management across manufacturing sites and increased transparency under significant budget pressure • Ensured operational continuity and delivery performance in a complex, multi-country post-merger environment
Vice President Indirect Procurement (Global) Global responsibility for indirect procurement across 12 countries, covering approximately €1.3bn annual spend, 50+ production sites and a team of ~125 FTE. Key Contributions & Achievements: • Architected and implemented the global transformation from decentralized, site-based procurement structures to a commodity-driven operating model • Established governance, accountability and KPI transparency across regions, enabling systematic performance steering • Designed and introduced KPI-based benchmarking frameworks, creating full transparency of fixed and variable production-related cost structures • Led cross-functional cost optimization initiatives in close collaboration with operations, engineering and finance • Increased financial performance from 3% to 5% of spend through structural optimization and performance management • Extended average payment terms by more than 35 days, generating approximately €130m sustainable cash impact • Played a key role in the HELLA–Faurecia post-merger integration, co-designing the global target operating model and defining the synergy roadmap (~€100m impact) • Identified and resolved compliance gaps and non-transparent contractual structures, strengthening governance in cooperation with Legal and Finance
Global Director Indirect Procurement & Serial Services Global responsibility for indirect procurement and selected direct spend categories (Serial Services), covering approximately €670m annual spend, across multiple regions with leadership of ~90 FTE. Key Contributions & Achievements: • Led the transformation and professionalization of indirect procurement structures across regions, introducing standardized processes and governance • Implemented commodity-driven structures and improved cross-regional transparency of cost and performance • Initiated and executed cross-functional cost optimization programs in close collaboration with operations, engineering and finance • Modernized procurement processes and implemented standardized workflows and supporting tools across regions • Built and developed a strong global team, fostering collaboration, capability development and ownership of results • Led the acquisition and integration of a critical supplier as M&A project lead, ensuring operational stability and long-term supply security
Global Category Manager Energy & Fluids, Site & Maintenance Services Global responsibility for procurement of energy, fluids and site-related services across multiple international production sites. Key Contributions & Achievements: • Managed global sourcing strategies for energy and site-related categories with significant cost impact across production operations • Increased transparency of cost structures and improved cross-site benchmarking in close collaboration with operations and finance • Implemented structured sourcing and supplier management approaches across regions • Contributed to stabilizing cost structures in a challenging economic environment through targeted sourcing initiatives
Global Category Manager IT, Energy & Waste Global responsibility for procurement of IT, energy and waste management categories across multiple international production sites. Key Contributions & Achievements: • Developed and implemented global sourcing strategies across multiple indirect spend categories • Improved transparency of cost structures and supported cross-site benchmarking initiatives • Introduced structured supplier management and sourcing approaches across regions • Supported cost optimization initiatives in collaboration with operations and finance
Transformation Project Lead – Clariant Performance Improvement Program Core team member of Clariant’s global performance improvement program (CPIP), focused on restructuring and cost optimization across international operations. Key Contributions & Achievements: • Led cross-functional workstreams to identify and implement structural cost reduction measures across indirect and direct spend categories • Contributed to stabilizing cost structures during a critical financial phase of the company • Achieved cost savings exceeding CHF 48m within responsible workstreams • Worked closely with operations, finance and management teams to implement sustainable performance improvements • Gained deep insight into restructuring, turnaround management and organizational transformation
Process Engineer Started professional career as a process engineer in an international industrial environment, focusing on production processes and operational performance. Key Contributions & Responsibilities: • Analyzed and optimized production processes to improve efficiency, quality and cost performance • Supported troubleshooting and root cause analysis in close collaboration with production teams • Improved yield by 2% and reduced internal quality claim rates by 10% through structured process optimization and direct involvement of production teams • Gained hands-on experience in process engineering, manufacturing operations and technical problem-solving • Built the foundation for a system-oriented understanding of industrial value creation (process, machine and people)