Alexander Thies

Building businesses, transforming operations in international organisations across aviation, rail, manufacturing and service industries

Frankfurt Rhine-Main Metropolitan Area

About

I am an international executive with more than 25 years of leadership experience across aviation, rail, manufacturing, mobility, logistics and service industries. Throughout my career, I have held full P&L responsibility, led multinational organisations, managed complex transformations and built businesses across Europe, North America and Asia. My experience spans operational leadership, manufacturing, supply chain, procurement, commercial development and large-scale organisational change. My focus is on turning strategy into execution. Whether driving growth, improving operational performance, restructuring organisations or building new business models, my focus is always on creating sustainable value through strong leadership, clear accountability and measurable results. Having served in executive leadership roles across multiple countries and cultures, I believe that successful organisations combine strategic clarity with operational excellence, entrepreneurial thinking and a strong customer focus. Today, I continue to support international transformation and business development initiatives while helping organisations navigate complexity, improve performance and unlock new opportunities for growth. Key areas of expertise include: • General Management & Executive Leadership • Business Transformation & Restructuring • P&L Management & Value Creation • Aviation, Manufacturing & Service Operations • Supply Chain, Procurement & Logistics • International Business Development • Operational Excellence & Performance Improvement • Mergers, Acquisitions & Integration • Business Building & Market Expansion

Experience

  • Deutsche Bahn (Full-time · 9 yrs 6 mos)
    • Head of International Onboard Service Transformation
      Mar 2026 - Present · 4 mos

      Leading international transformation and business development initiatives with a focus on operational excellence, organisational effectiveness and sustainable growth. Working across international markets, particularly North America, to identify opportunities, build strategic partnerships and support the execution of transformation programmes.

    • Leiter Bordservice DB Fernverkehr AG
      Jan 2017 - Mar 2026 · 9 yrs 3 mos

      Executive responsibility for one of Germany’s largest service, hospitality and customer operations organisations with approximately 9,000 employees. Led large-scale transformation, digitalisation, restructuring and performance improvement initiatives across nationwide service, hospitality, logistics and lounge operations.

  • LSG Group (Full-time · 18 yrs 8 mos)
    • Vice President Centralised Production and Nominated Products Europe
      Mar 2015 - Dec 2016 · 1 yr 10 mos

      Led the development of centralised production and commercial growth concepts across multiple international markets. Focused on manufacturing scalability, business development and the expansion of production-based food solutions beyond traditional airline catering structures. Contributed to the development of concepts that later evolved into LSG’s Evertaste platform.

    • Geschäftsführer / Managing Director
      Nov 2010 - Feb 2015 · 4 yrs 4 mos

      Managing Director of an independent frozen food manufacturing company within the LSG Sky Chefs Group. Responsible for commercial, financial, manufacturing, supply chain, procurement and organisational performance. Led the company through a major business transformation, improving profitability, scalability and operational performance.

    • Managing Director Eastern Europe, CIS Countries & Russia
      Jun 2009 - Oct 2010 · 1 yr 5 mos

      Led multinational aviation catering operations across Eastern Europe, the CIS region and Russia. Responsible for business performance, operational excellence and market development, including M&A activities, post-merger integration and strategic partnerships across multiple international markets.

  • Lidl Italia (On-site)
    • Geschäftsführer Einkauf Italien / Member of Board
      Jul 1994 - Apr 1998 · 3 yrs 10 mos

      Member of the Executive Board of Lidl Italy, responsible for assortment strategy, commercial performance and profitability across the Italian product portfolio. Directed strategic procurement activities, supplier negotiations and category development while holding full margin responsibility across multiple product categories.

    • Einkäufer Import
      Oct 1993 - Jul 1994 · 10 mos

      I Responsible for international sourcing and import logistics, managing global sea and land freight operations for imported canned goods. Coordinated international supply chains and supplier relationships to ensure product availability and efficient market supply.