Michael Wulff Pedersen

Business oriented HR executive with international, intercultural, change and transformation experience from Life Science and High Tech industries

Munich, Bavaria, Germany

About

Global HR Executive with more than 20 years experience from international organizations in local, regional and global roles. Experience from establishing full fledged country and HR operations in emerging markets in Middle East, Africa and Asia, ensuring the entire HR Value Chain is implemented to fit local and global requirements. Experience from living abroad - 15 years in Munich, Singapore and Hamburg. Trusted HR Business Partner with documented high performance in Strategic HR: Performance management, HR Business Partnering, Talent & Leadership Development, Right-sizing, Scaling and scoping businesses.

Experience

  • Managing Director (VP), Head HR Business Partners, EMEA at Applied Materials
    Feb 2022 - Mar 2026 · 4 yrs 2 mos

    Leading the high performing HRBP teams in EMEA, supporting 5000 colleagues across all business streams of Applied Materials.

  • Global HR Director at Thermo Fisher Scientific
    May 2018 - Feb 2022 · 3 yrs 10 mos

    Responsible for strategic HR business partnering with VP AAT Business Unit on all global people matters, encompassing Sales, Marketing, Product Development, Technical support and Operations. Sales app USD 700m and app. 900 people. Primary focus areas on strategic partnering, including driving a culture of performance, leadership, people development and accountability in locations with strong union/Workers Council representation. Primary sites encompass locations in United States, Germany, United Kingdom, Italy, Singapore and China. Achievements so far: Implemented Performance Management process; Differentiated Pay-for Performance structure; Mandatory People Goals. Successfully completed 3 reorganizations (Department level, BU level, “Super BU” level).

  • Sandoz (10 yrs 4 mos)
    • Head HR APAC
      Jul 2014 - Apr 2018 · 3 yrs 10 mos

      ~ 3000 people, ~ USD 1bn Responsible for all Commercial HR activities across Asia Pacific (Pakistan to Japan to New Zealand, including China, India and Australia). Driving a business oriented HR agenda, with a strong focus on talent growth, attraction and engagement, and managing the people and business complexity of local becoming global, and global becoming local. Reporting to Global Head HR.

    • Head HR, MEA & Global Legal, Head Talent Management, ComOps EMEA & APAC
      2009 - Jun 2014 · 5 yrs 6 mos

      ~ 700 People (HRBP), 8000 people (TM), ~ USD 400m •Establishing and growing Sandoz African and Middle East organizations from an HR perspective. •Recognised HR Business Partner, in diverse cultures and business settings and in diverse market environments (Africa, Middle East, Europe, HQ) •Driving various regional projects and programmes to create cross country/regional synergies •Driving operational talent management activities in the region •Successfully facilitated management development trainings in Europe, Middle East, and Asia(both leadership and HR professionals)

    • Head of HR, Nordic & UK
      Jan 2008 - Dec 2009 · 2 yrs

      ~250 people, ~ USD 350m Responsible for all HR activities in the Nordics & UK

  • Nordic HR Manager at Janssen-Cilag
    Jun 2006 - Nov 2007 · 1 yr 6 mos

    ~ 150 people, ~ USD 200m HR Business Partner with additional functional responsibilities for Recruitment and C&B.

  • Corporate HRD Manager at Coloplast
    Jun 2001 - Jun 2006 · 5 yrs 1 mo