Stefan Schwendt

Trusted Partner to Boards & Executives | Executive Search | Leadership Coaching | Manufacturing, FMCG, MedTech, Machinery & EMS

Kreuzlingen, Thurgau, Switzerland

About

Passionate executive search professional, business coach and trusted advisor with more than 25 years of leadership experience in global operations, manufacturing, supply chain and organisational transformation. Before moving into executive search and leadership advisory, I held senior operational leadership positions in one of the world's leading FMCG organisations, including responsibility for manufacturing, engineering, supply chain and large-scale transformation initiatives. As a former Factory Manager, I understand first-hand the challenges executives face when balancing operational performance, organisational change, talent development and sustainable growth. Today, I partner with boards, CEOs and leadership teams to identify, assess and attract high-impact leaders who can successfully navigate increasingly complex business environments. My focus includes executive and senior leadership appointments across Supply Chain, Operations, Manufacturing, Engineering, Procurement, Finance, HR, Commercial and General Management functions. Thanks to my operational background, I bring a practical understanding of industrial businesses and support organisations across sectors including Manufacturing, MedTech, Industrial Technology, Machinery, Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) and Consumer Goods. Alongside executive search, I work as a business coach and trusted sounding partner for executives and leadership teams, supporting leadership effectiveness, organisational development, succession planning and transformation journeys. I believe that sustainable business success is built at the intersection of strategy, execution and people.

Experience

  • Meister Executive Search AG (6 yrs 4 mos)
    • Senior Consultant and Business Coach
      Jun 2022 - Present · 4 yrs 2 mos

    • Consultant
      Apr 2020 - Jun 2022 · 2 yrs 3 mos

  • Senior Consultant Switzerland at CFR Global Executive Search
    Apr 2020 - Present · 6 yrs 4 mos

  • sabbatical at none
    Jan 2020 - Mar 2020 · 3 mos

  • Unilever (12 yrs 8 mos)
    • Engineering & Technology Director Refreshment EU
      Jul 2017 - Dec 2019 · 2 yrs 6 mos

      Overall repsonsibility of total Refreshment EU capex, Technology & Innovation Management plus functional lead of Engineering in all 14 Refr EU sites

    • Technology Director Refreshment
      Nov 2013 - Jun 2017 · 3 yrs 8 mos

      Responsible for overall capex budget of 14 sites, Technology and Innovation management

    • Group Supply Chain Director Ice Cream
      Sep 2010 - Oct 2013 · 3 yrs 2 mos

      Global role in Unilever Supply Chain Ice Cream, Main focus area is AMET and RUB (Afrika, Middle East, Turkey and Russia) Regional role in AMET and RUB as Category Director IC.

  • Unilever (13 yrs)
    • Operational Excellence Manager Ice Cream Europe
      Mar 2004 - Mar 2007 · 3 yrs 1 mo

      Integration of CEE sites in Poland and Hungary into the European Supply Chain network, setting up masterplans for these sites which today are fully executed. Doing indirect cost bencharmking Coaching sites in Operational excellance using TPM

    • various functions
      Apr 1994 - Feb 2004 · 9 yrs 11 mos

      Different roles in factories, R&D, Engineering, TPM and Production