Certified Lean Manager (CLM)
professionals in Germany, matched in minutes from over 15,000 CVs with the power of AI.Find freelancers who can map processes, remove waste, and lead continuous improvement work in operations, production, and service teams. Get fast, precise matching with vetted Certified Lean Manager professionals who are available now.
Meet FRATCH Certified Lean Manager in Germany
Edmund Niederkofler
Last position:
Sr. Manager Operation- Site Karlsruhe (Interim) at Thermo Fisher Scientific Karlsruhe
- Responsibility for all operational areas from logistics, production to supply chain, quality, planning, and improvement
- Building a new operations organization structure in response to increased demand during the COVID-19 situation
- Redefining internal processes and establishing a leadership structure for quick market response
- Setting targets and continuously tracking operational goals
- Reducing lead time in the extruder area from 28 weeks to 10 weeks within 15 months through sustainable supply chain and flexible manufacturing methods
- Cutting lead times in the lab area for analytical devices from 15 weeks to 3–4 weeks
- Increasing output in the analysis department by 35% while reducing capacity by 20%
- Implementing measures to reduce inventory and increase inventory turnover
- Improving supply chain strategy, cycle time reduction, and flow production for serial products
- Driving digitalization in production and warehouse management
- Implementing a comprehensive reporting system
Jochen Langenberger
Last position:
Management Consultant, Coach, Senior Project Manager and Interim Manager at JL International Project Management & Consulting
Project Manager – Management Consultant – Lean Manager – Coach in machine and plant engineering, pharma and medical technology
Senior Project Manager + Assembly Manager: Conversion of Porsche assembly lines Emil Schmid Maschinenbau GmbH & Co. KG
- Planning and conversion for the integration of new camera technology with AI tools for process optimization on V-engine lines Management Consultant: Business Development for defense industry for NATO Emil Schmid Maschinenbau GmbH & Co. KG
- Market research - analysis of potential customers in the defense industry
- Direct approach to potential customers and market participants
- Developing options for action and a strategy for further market development Seminar Leader, Consultant + Coach: Project Management + Experience Exchange Ness Wärmetechnik GmbH
- Workshop for further development of project managers with prior knowledge
- Exchange of experience with project managers and derivation of measures
- Recommendations to improve the project management organization Management Consultant: EU market research for hemodialysis systems Scherzinger Pumpen GmbH & Co. KG
- Market research for gear pumps in hemodialysis systems
- Contact with purchasing and R&D of dialysis system manufacturers
- Collecting market data with growth forecasts and changes Management Consultant: Strategy + Global Business Development Vibrationmaster s.à r.l.
- Company-wide strategy development together with the CEO for test systems for bolted joints
- Consulting and support in international business development and cooperation with partners Senior Project Manager + Assembly Manager: Conversion of Porsche assembly lines Emil Schmid Maschinenbau GmbH & Co. KG
- Project management for new conversion of wheel carrier press line and assembly line
- Coordination of tasks and work packages for sub-project leaders
- Schedule planning and cost control
- Resource planning with internal departments and external specialists
- Management and execution of customer and supplier coordination Management Consultant + Coach: Handling difficult project situations Ness Wärmetechnik GmbH
- Coaching project management in project control for major project Exyte to ensure ongoing order processing, awareness of difficult project situations and emerging decisions Senior Project Manager, Consultant, Coach: Improving quality of pharma pouches B. Braun Melsungen AG, Hospital Care Division, Pharma, Plant A
- Project management for improving/preventing quality fluctuations of three-chamber pouches and their outer packaging
- Leading an interdisciplinary international team from Germany, Italy, Switzerland
- Improving the production concept
- Adjusting quality criteria and setting up continuous traceability across manufacturing/logistics processes Management Consultant: Further development of structure + business processes KLAUS UNION GmbH & Co. KG
- Analysis of the current state of pump handling
- Design of the target state for pump handling
- Cost-benefit analysis of changes
- Reorientation of business processes
- Implementation with internal and external resources Senior Project Manager, Consultant, Coach: Production improvements pharma B. Braun Melsungen AG, Hospital Care Division, Pharma, Plant A
- Replacement procurement of packaging machines (carton erector, sealer)
- Concept / implementation of first-time procurement of depalletizing to packaging process
- Concept development in a simulation with production employees for a new manufacturing area for small-batch packaging, including implementation and setup
- Expansion of a rack conveyor system
- Bringing automation know-how and lean management into projects
- Further development of project management specifically for Technical Service
- Sparring partner, consultant and coach for specialists and managers Senior Project Manager: Plant conversion for filter production for ventilators 3M Deutschland GmbH Membrana
- Management support for program and project management for a fast-track project at the Wuppertal plant
- Setup of a plant (approx. €30 million) for the production of filter membranes for use in ventilators (oxygenators) Consultant: Review of leadership, structure, processes + trends at US subsidiary Bleichert Inc. for R. Weiss Verpackungsmaschinen GmbH & Co. KG
- Company-wide review of structure, business processes, communication and activities with SWOT analysis in interviews at all company levels
- Assessment of existing leadership, control tools and aids
- Estimation of potential and trends in the North American market Senior Project Manager: Streamlining packaging variety in medical technology at B.Braun B. Braun Melsungen AG
- Leading and supporting the implementation phase of a company project (multi-million-euro range)
- Reduction of packaging variety
- Implementation for different product families while considering the views of sales, marketing, R&D, regulatory affairs, supply chain, logistics, sterilization, production, purchasing and controlling
- Challenging communication / conflict management in bringing together the interdisciplinary, international teams with 30 team members
- Management reporting of the implementation phase with quality assurance and implementation costs Management Consultant: Corrective alignment of the Wärmetechnik Ness project Ness Wärmetechnik GmbH
- Supervision of major projects + further development of project management
- Interim manager "Head of Project Management": supervision of large and critical projects with direct customer contact in Latvia
- Coaching project managers and teams to secure ongoing order processing, awareness of difficult project situations, consulting on emerging decisions
- Improving deadline tracking for ongoing projects
- Concept for further development of project management
- Consulting on necessary structural company changes and staffing of project-related functions Senior Project Manager + Consultant: Schedule coordination for major BMW projects Emil Schmid Maschinenbau GmbH & Co. KG
- New / conversion of assembly lines for BMW Munich / Steyr / Hams Hall
- Project management for more than 500 conversion / new-build measures for assembly lines
- Detailed, structured scheduling, preventing potential delays
- Resource planning with internal departments and external specialists
- Coordination and execution of customer and supplier meetings
- Resolving staffing disputes with conflict management
- Further development of project management, support of change process
- Management consulting on various business matters Senior Project Manager + Consultant: Technical cleaning BMW Dingolfing A. Markert GmbH Metallreinigungsmaschinen
- Project leadership with employee motivation during the integration of a cleaning system into the production line within a short conversion time
- Fast creation of project transparency when joining an ongoing project
- Structured coordination with customer and suppliers to improve deadlines
- Preventing a critical scheduling situation to win back the customer
- Ensuring a stable schedule situation through detailed planning Senior Project Manager: Streamlining packaging variety in medical technology at B.Braun B. Braun Melsungen AG, Melsungen
- Project: Harmonization of packaging for cost optimization for the plant in Gyöngyös, Hungary
- Leading the concept and implementation phase of a company project (multi-million-euro range)
- Reduction of packaging variety ahead of costly validation / verification processes for packaging families
- Guiding towards the best solution proposals for different product families while considering the views of sales, marketing, R&D, regulatory affairs, supply chain, logistics, sterilization, production, purchasing and controlling
- Challenging communication and conflict management in bringing together the interdisciplinary, international teams with 30 team members
- Management reporting on the concept result with quality assurance, cost, schedule and capacity planning for the following implementation phase Consultant: Market study USA / Canada + business development basics Scherzinger Pumpen GmbH & Co. KG, Furtwangen
- North America market study with market data and competitive situation
- Contact and interest check with customers and sales partners
- Travel to potential customers and partners as a basis for decision-making Trainer: Workshop team building, self-management & conflict management ZF AG, ABB AG in cooperation with Lindconsult GmbH
- Working in teams, self-management & conflict management
- Workshop with individual and group exercises as well as role plays Consultant: Introduction of project management + process adjustment Lauffer Maschinenfabrik Lauffer GmbH & Co. KG
- Introduction of project management
- Examination of current business processes and definition of target processes for quotations, handover of orders and processing with clear responsibilities in all process steps
- Review and development of internal tools for the processes
- Process documentation and review for the quality management manual
- Support during briefings and employee buy-in
- Fine-tuning of processes after initial implementation experience Management Consulting: Plant layout and business process development ACSYS Lasertechnik GmbH, Mittweida
- Development of hall layout with production, manufacturing areas, warehouse, goods receipt, shipping and material flow
- Examination of current business processes and definition of target processes from "inquiry to after sales" with clear assignment of responsibilities in all process steps
- Review and development of internal tools for business processes
- Documentation and review of business processes
- Support during briefings Moderator: Plant planning with master, layout and business plan Klaus Union GmbH
- Moderation and consulting in a workshop to develop a plant layout with production areas, testing areas, warehouse, goods receipt, shipping and material flow
- Template for the architect layout for the building permit for the conversion Management Consultant: Adjustment of business processes + structure AMT Alfing Montagetechnik GmbH
- Examination of current business processes and definition of target processes for "order entry", "spindle repairs" and "spare parts handling" with clear responsibilities in all process steps
- Review and development of internal tools for the business processes
- Documentation and review of business processes
- Support during briefings Management Consultant + Coach: Introduction of project management ELHA ELHA Maschinenbau Liemke KG
- Professional coaching for project managers and consulting on building project management in the field of manufacturing systems with analysis of business processes and production workflows
- Examination of current processes and definition of target processes for sales, order handover, processing, schedule control, cost control and dunning with clear responsibilities in all process steps
- Review and development of internal tools for business processes
- Documentation and review of business processes
- Support during briefings
- Development of hall layout with production areas, warehouse and material flow Consultant: Further development of project management + knowledge management AKS AKS Alfing Kessler Sondermaschinenbau GmbH
- Consulting and reorganization of business processes to further develop project management and build a knowledge database
- Examination of current business processes and definition of target processes for order handover, cost orientation, additional claims & change management and securing know-how with clear responsibilities in all process steps
- Review and development of internal tools for business processes
- Documentation and review of business processes Senior Project Management: Patent implementation security concept Human Bios International AG
- Overall project management for patent implementation
- Market analysis in the field of security technologies
- Acquisition of development partners, sales partners and potential customers
- Strategy development and implementation
- Sales and technical development consulting
- Application for and receipt of government funding Project Manager + Management Consultant: Processing of BMW Munich order AMT Alfing Montagetechnik GmbH
- Leading the project with accompanying business consulting and coaching
- Internal coordination with sales and technical processing
- External coordination with customers and suppliers
- Quality assurance, deadline tracking, cost control with claim management
- Preparation of inquiries with specifications and negotiations with suppliers Trainer: Workshop time and self-management ABB AG in cooperation with Herrenberger Team GmbH
- Training on time & self-management
- Workshop with individual and group exercises as well as role plays Management Consultant: Ongoing analysis of business processes Klaus Union GmbH
- Ongoing analysis of the key business processes for pumps, valves, spare parts/service from inquiry through order entry, technical and commercial processing to delivery
- Showing collected weaknesses and disruptions, their dependencies and joint development of process improvements in workshops
- Documentation of the analysis and workshops Management Consultant: International sales development for combo dampers Lefa Fleischereiausstattungen GmbH + Edelstahl-Mechanik GmbH
- Europe-wide market research of sales partners and potential customers for the sale of combo dampers with smoking function
- Support in developing marketing material and campaigns
- Introduction of sales partners and support at trade fair appearances Management Consultant: Strategy workshop + strategy review workshops Klaus Union GmbH + Co. KG
- Strategy development with company analyses (SWOT, portfolio)
- Regular strategy review workshops with development of the holistic company strategy / vision / mission / goals, use of balanced scorecard
- Definition of strategic measures for further company development Lecturer "International Project Management" Aalen University Aalen University, Master's program International Business
- Workshop-style course with teaching of project management basics, experience, tools and simulation
- Domestic and foreign market studies (Europe, overseas, Asia), company analyses, staffing concepts for German industrial companies with students Business Developer: Market development India for nanotechnology product Rewitec GmbH
- Market study India
- Market development in India for nanotechnology products with trade fair appearance, search for trade partners and follow-up of contacts
- Support during test phases, coordination of local partners as exclusive agent Moderator: Strategy rollout for automotive engineering companies IAV + NCC IAV GmbH, NCC Deutschland GmbH in cooperation with Herrenberger Team GmbH and E³ GmbH
- Moderation in strategy rollout workshops
- Training in contract and conflict management with basics and role plays Overall Project Manager: Processing of Zeppelin granulate conveyor systems order Zeppelin Silo & Systems GmbH
- Leading the project with sales and profit increase
- Professional coaching of the deputy project manager and project team
- Internal coordination with the project team, sales and technical processing
- External coordination with customers and suppliers
- Quality assurance, deadline tracking, cost control with claim management
- Preparation of inquiries with specifications and negotiations with suppliers Sessler Galvanikanlagen GmbH
- Market studies in the USA and Russia with market data and competitive situation
- Strategy, contracts and marketing development with joint venture partner in the USA
- Training of US representatives and initial sales support
References [link]
Jörg Kopitzke
Last position:
Exec. Coach / Consultant / Agilist at HASOMED GmbH
Repaired a broken 'ScrumBan' process and then established a pure Kanban system; increased output in the Kanban flow by 22% in four weeks
Boosted team autonomy and decision-making ability by implementing new decision strategies; resulting in up to 25% better outcomes
Redesigned retrospectives (including one-on-one coaching and workshops) that led to consistent execution of the resulting action items
Provided intensive coaching to Product Owners (POs) to develop and empower 'Empowered Teams' alongside leadership development to give a realistic view ('de-illusion') of agile frameworks and methods
Supported change management processes to foster an agile company culture among management and teams, improving internal communication to increase transparency and effectiveness in agile processes
Volker Arth
Last position:
Founder at Aim / Arth-Interim-Management
- Founded and leads interim management services under the brand Arth-Interim-Management
- Developed business strategy and client acquisition processes
- Established online presence and service offerings on arth-interim-management.de
Matthias Strickrodt
Last position:
Senior Consultant and Interim PMO Manager at Axel Schröder Unternehmensberatung
Support in setting up a systematic multi-project management system (around 200 projects)
Establishing portfolio and pipeline management
Special focus on resource management
Roll out of project and portfolio management software
Conducting training at all management levels from project managers to executives
Support for all users, especially key users
Change management: culture change in the project organization
Monitoring KPIs for portfolio and pipeline
Status reporting to executive board and department heads
Successful rollout in seven business units
Development and embedding of the required processes
Changes in ways of working and increasing cultural change
Relief of the project pipeline and increased output through targeted control ("stop starting – start finishing")
Bettina Fischer
Last position:
Quality Management Consultant at Hagl GmbH
- Quality management, system audit IATF 16949
Christian Merz
Last position:
Interim advisor / coach / facilitator
COO/CFO, CRO, multi-site operations manager, advisor, task force, PMO, SCRUM master and agile coach
Technical/commercial operations lead with P&L responsibility
Operations, supply chain, services, sourcing, OPEX, digitalization, IT, engineering, quality, governance
Interim multi-site operations management, insolvency management, financial management/CFO, commercial management/sales
Enterprise lean transformation and digitalization
Agile networks strategy for global operations
Industrialization: process management, reporting and KPI matrix
Agile workforce organisation: structures and processes
Head of PMO – agile transformation and digital squad manager
Launch management / ramp up / NPDI
Project and performance management system (Hoshin/TGROW)
SCRUM master leadership and project engagements
Qualification programs: Lean / Six Sigma / agile methods
Data analytics and business intelligence market data analytics
Value creation / buy & build / M&A management
Various private-equity engagements
Operational management / SCM
Restructuring / transformation
Operational excellence / Lean
Performance management
Experience with Deloitte Consulting and BCG
Industrial experience in healthcare services, pharma/biotech, medical devices, manufacturing/electronic, automotive OEM/tier x, manufacturing automation, IT services/digitalization
Private-equity related work with firms including Aurelius, Rank, 3i, Emeran, Advent, TA Associates, Cinven, TPG, Duke Street, Dubag, Wellington Partners, Bridgepoint, Barclays Private Equity, Arques, BC Partners, CVC, KPS Capital, KKR, EQT, Astorg
Clients and engagements with Fresenius (Fresenius Medical Care, Kabi), Thermo Fisher Scientific, Philips, Danaher, MediGlobe, Roche, Boehringer, Cinfa Biotech, 3M, Qiagen, Stada, Pfizer, Sanofi, Catalent, Aenova, Recipharm, Elanco, Suez, Ametek, Syntegon, Magna, Demmel, Faurecia, Kongsberg, Bosch, Continental, Räuchle, WAFA, Lufthansa
Education: MBA, City University (USA); Dipl. Ingenieur Environmental and Process Technology
Certifications: Six Sigma Master Black Belt and Lean Manager (Toyota); Change Manager and performance coach TGROW; Prince 2 and OKR Master; Regulatory affairs / GxP manager
Languages: German – mother tongue; English – business fluent
International work experience across Asia (especially China, Japan and Singapore), USA, Western and Eastern Europe
Hauke Losch
Last position:
Consultant for Project Management, Agility, and Organizational Development at Losch Consulting
- Project management consulting (classic, agile, and hybrid approaches)
- Project portfolio management and project management office
- Project management
- Organizational development and transformation consulting
- Agility / Lean Management / Kanban
Kay Lorenz
Last position:
Managing Partner at LK17 GmbH
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Certified Lean Manager statistics
Aggregated from the professional profiles of matched freelancers.
Experience
26 years
Position duration
3.5 years
Positions per freelancer
9
Top business areas
Project Management, Operations, Strategy
Top industries
Manufacturing, Automotive, Professional Services
Certification focus areas
Operations, Quality Assurance, Project Management
Bachelor's degree or higher
100%
Master's degree or higher
86%
Doctorate
29%
Certifications per freelancer
6
Most common languages
German, English, Spanish
Speak two or more languages
100%
Based on our profile pool as of 30 Aug 2026.
Daily rate distribution
The chart shows how the daily rates of freelancers holding this certification in Germany are distributed, based on recent contracts on our platform. Each bar covers a rate range — its height shows how many freelancers charge within that range.
Average rates for Certified Lean Manager in Germany
Rates are based on recent contracts and do not include FRATCH margin.
The average daily rate is the mean of all daily rates from recent contracts of comparable freelancers on our platform.
The median daily rate is the middle value of all daily rates — half of comparable freelancers charge less, half charge more. Unlike the average, it is barely affected by outliers.
Calculated based on our freelancers’ daily rates as of 30 Aug 2026. Actual rates may vary depending on seniority level, experience, skill specialization, project complexity, and engagement length.
About the certification
What it stands for
A Certified Lean Manager has proven practical knowledge of Lean thinking and the ability to apply it in real work settings. The certification is about making processes simpler, faster, and more reliable without losing control of quality.
It usually signals that the holder can:
- Identify waste and bottlenecks in a process
- Support Kaizen and other continuous improvement work
- Use basic Lean tools to improve flow and stability
- Work with teams to standardize better ways of working
- Link operational changes to measurable business goals
Core skills
The certification is most useful when a company needs someone who can move from theory to action. A Certified Lean Manager is expected to understand process thinking, root cause analysis, visual management, standard work, and practical problem solving.
Typical knowledge areas include:
- Value stream thinking and process mapping
- Lean leadership and team facilitation
- 5S, Kaizen, Kanban, and daily improvement routines
- KPI-based performance review
- Change support in day-to-day operations
Typical profiles
People with this certification often work in operations, production, logistics, quality, shared services, or process management. Some come from management roles and use the credential to show structured improvement capability. Others are specialists who support Lean transformations across departments.
In Germany, it is especially relevant when teams need someone who can communicate clearly with shop floor staff, process owners, and leadership. That makes it useful for both on-site work and remote process analysis, depending on the assignment.
What it means for companies
For a company, this certification suggests the freelancer can help improve how work actually flows. It is useful for a short assessment, a pilot improvement project, or longer Lean rollout support.
A strong holder of the Certified Lean Manager title should be able to spot waste, define a realistic target state, and help teams adopt better routines. In practice, that means less friction in operations and more discipline in execution.
Where it fits best
This certification matters most in environments with repeatable processes and visible handoffs between teams. It is often relevant in manufacturing, logistics, supply chain, back office operations, and service process improvement.
It is a good fit when you need:
- A process diagnosis before a transformation project
- Support for Lean workshops and improvement events
- Help with standardization and daily management
- Someone who can turn findings into practical actions
How to assess the right fit
The credential alone does not replace project experience, but it gives a useful signal. Ask how the freelancer has used Lean methods, which problems they solved, and how they worked with resistant teams.
For Germany-based work, also check whether the person can operate in German, English, or both, depending on the team. The best fit is usually someone who can balance structure, facilitation, and hands-on improvement without overcomplicating the work.
Frequently asked questions
Everything clients usually want to know about Certified Lean Manager, in one place.
A Certified Lean Manager shows that the holder understands Lean principles and can apply them to improve real processes. The certification points to practical skills in waste reduction, flow improvement, standardization, and team-based problem solving. For companies, it is a sign that the freelancer can support operational change, not just describe it.
No. CLM focuses on Lean management and process improvement through flow, simplification, and elimination of waste. Lean Six Sigma usually adds a stronger statistical and variation-reduction angle, so the emphasis is different even if the two overlap in practice.
Certified Lean Manager is a strong fit for professionals working in operations, production, logistics, quality, or process improvement. It also suits managers and internal improvement leads who need a structured way to run Lean work with teams. People moving into transformation roles often pursue it to formalize hands-on experience.
A Certified Lean Manager freelancer is well suited to process reviews, Lean workshops, Kaizen support, and standard work design. They can also help identify bottlenecks, improve handovers, and support daily management routines. The certification is most useful when the work needs practical changes that teams can actually adopt.
Preparation for CLM usually combines Lean concepts with applied exercises and examples from real operations. Strong candidates already know how to work with process maps, improvement methods, and team facilitation. The best preparation is often hands-on experience with improvement projects, not just classroom study.
Requirements for Certified Lean Manager programs can vary by provider. In many cases, some professional experience in operations, process work, or management is expected, because the topic is practical and project-oriented. If you are considering the certificate, it helps to already understand how business processes work in the field.
Renewal rules depend on the issuing body. For many Certified Lean Manager programs, the holder is expected to keep skills current through ongoing practice, training, or continuing development. If you are hiring, ask whether the certification is current and whether the freelancer has kept working with Lean methods since earning it.
Certified Lean Manager is especially valuable in manufacturing, logistics, supply chain, and service operations where process discipline matters. In Germany, it is often relevant in settings that combine structured operations with cross-functional teamwork. It can be useful both for on-site improvement work and for remote analysis of process data and workflows.
The average hourly rate for freelancers with Certified Lean Manager in Germany is 135 €, which corresponds to a daily rate of about 1,079 € based on an 8-hour working day.
Of the freelancers with Certified Lean Manager in Germany, 100% hold at least a Bachelor's degree, 86% hold at least a Master's degree, and 29% hold a doctorate.
On average, freelancers with Certified Lean Manager in Germany have 26 years of professional experience, with a single engagement typically lasting around 3.5 years.
The most common languages among freelancers with Certified Lean Manager in Germany are German (100%), English (89%), and Spanish (22%).
The most common industries among freelancers with Certified Lean Manager in Germany are Manufacturing (89%), Automotive (78%), and Professional Services (67%).
The most common business areas among freelancers with Certified Lean Manager in Germany are Project Management (100%), Operations (89%), and Strategy (78%).
FRATCH Certified Lean Manager main locations
Our freelancers and interim experts are at home across the DACH region — available on-site in the major business hubs or fully remote. Choose a location to discover matched specialists, local market insights and up-to-date availability.
Berlin Hamburg Munich Cologne Frankfurt Stuttgart Dusseldorf Leipzig Dortmund Essen Bremen Dresden Hanover Nuremberg Request a free demo
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Philipp Thomaschewski
FRATCH CEO
