Stefan Forster OLY

Vice President

Germany

About

I am VP for the BU Airbag at Joyson Safety Systems, developing and producing passive safety systems in the automotive industry. I am responsible for our Airbag team of ca 7000 employees mainly in Germany, Hungary, Romania, North Macedonia, France and Italy. In order to manage our P&L and achieve our business targets, my core competencies include engineering and business development, innovation and development processes, project and program management and their successful industrialization. In my past, I have successfully implemented and managed projects and programs ranging from short term continuous improvements to >1bn development and industrialization activities, including growing a business from 10 m€ to 400 m€ sales within 5 years, from the Airbus A380 to adidas fashion products. I have successfully implemented ASPICE methods, know PLM and ERP system application in complex international set-ups, covered international governance, internal merger and carve-out activities, reporting directly to the executive board. I value the importance of being a role model and creating a coaching culture, and have received excellent 360° feedback and references. As a former Olympian (thus the OLY after my name!) and elite athlete in rowing, I know the importance of diversity and inclusiveness, thrive on challenges and teamwork, and drive excellence and strategic development under BANI conditions. I am challenging myself, my peers, my leaders and my environment, and I am eager to learn and share my knowledge and expertise. My goal is to make a positive impact on the industry and society by delivering safe, reliable, and sustainable solutions.

Experience

  • Joyson Safety Systems (Full-time · 2 yrs 2 mos)
    • Vice President BU Airbag
      May 2024 - Present · 2 yrs 2 mos

      Since May 2024 I am leading the BU Airbag of Joyson Safety Systems, a market leading company offering passive safety systems for the automotive industry. With our development centers in Berlin, Aschaffenburg and Ulm, our factories across Europe and our EMEA Airbag workforce of 7000 people we strive to provide safety system solutions of the highest quality and reliability.

    • Managing Director Recall Services Europe GmbH (RSE)
      Feb 2025 - Present · 1 yr 5 mos

    • Managing Director Joyson Safety Systems Torino S.r.l.
      Nov 2024 - Present · 1 yr 8 mos

  • Vice President Program Management Europe at Autoliv
    Nov 2021 - Apr 2024 · 2 yrs 6 mos

    Autoliv is the world's leading automotive safety company with operations in 27 countries across Americas, Europe and Asia. The Group employs 70.000 people and has a turnover of USD 8 billion (SEK 70 billion). Autoliv Inc is a Fortune 500 company. I am responsible for setting up the PM structure within the European Division, in close collaboration with my colleagues from the ELT, and in alignment with the global and divisional PM functions.

  • Schaeffler (7 yrs 2 mos)
    • SVP Project Management & Business Development, Business Division Engine Systems
      Jan 2020 - Oct 2021 · 1 yr 10 mos

      Coordinating globally all Business development activities across 5 Business Unit within the Business Division Engine Systems. Being responsible for all global Project management activities, leading the project managers across the division.

    • Director Project Management and Business Development, Business Unit Belt and Chain Drive Systems
      Sep 2014 - Dec 2019 · 5 yrs 4 mos

      Head of the Project Management Team, responsible for global R&D projects Head of Business development for Belt and Chain Drive systems

  • adidas group (6 yrs 1 mo)
    • Director / Head of Creation Process Engineering, Center of Excellence
      Jul 2011 - Sep 2014 · 3 yrs 3 mos

      Head of the Project Management Team for adidas-group, including the responsibility for development processes and R&D/innovation management. Coordination of development activities between HQ and local creation centers.

    • Senior Project Leader, Global Operations Business Solutions
      Jan 2011 - Jul 2011 · 7 mos

      Project Leader for all operation processes for adidas label NEO with a focus on development process coordination including supplier management

    • Senior Sports Marketing Manager
      Sep 2008 - Dec 2010 · 2 yrs 4 mos

      Head of the team for all non-football related adidas sport marketing activities within Germany

  • Head of Project and Performance Management, Cabin and Fuselage Integration, A380 at Airbus
    Jan 2007 - Nov 2008 · 1 yr 11 mos

    Head of Project and Performance Management, A380 Electrical Engineering, Airbus, EADS; Hamburg/Toulouse; with the departments PMO, Development and Engineering Process Improvements Consolidated planning for A380 CFSI, Cabin and Fuselage System integration Extended Enterprise Management: Risk share partner and subcontracting management