Bastian (Robert) Vasterling-Managing Director / Partner
Check rate
Experience
Managing Director / Partner
SMATRA Trading Group & Consultancy
- Establishing and leading the SMATRA Trading Group & Consultancy with a focus on market entry and development projects between Europe and Asia-Pacific.
- Consulting and trading in premium consumer goods (coffee & tea), including building supply chains, brand partnerships, and sales channels (e.g. Hong Kong).
- Developing an expert network for market analysis, market entry, digital transformation, and sustainable business models.
- Supporting and coaching founders and medium-sized companies in building scalable, self-managed teams beyond traditional hierarchy structures.
Program Lead MQB evo - Model Year 2017
Volkswagen AG
- Overall responsibility for the MQB evo program for selected series/models of the 2017 model year.
- Managing model updates, variant and action portfolios across multiple departments (development, design, production, sales, controlling).
- Ensuring schedule, cost, and quality targets across all project phases.
- Close collaboration with line managers, series management, and executive committees.
Product Management – Agile Coaching & Innovation Management
Volkswagen AG
- Combining traditional product management with agile methods (agile coaching) in the model series.
- Introducing and supporting agile ways of working in product and project teams, among others to shorten decision paths and increase innovation speed.
- Managing innovation initiatives along the product development process (PEP).
- Facilitating interdisciplinary sessions (engineering, sales, controlling, purchasing) and presenting in steering committees.
Head of Product Management – The New Jetta
Volkswagen AG
- Responsible for leading product management for The New Jetta.
- Coordinating all product-related decisions balanced between market requirements, engineering, and cost efficiency.
- Acting as the interface between global markets (especially North America), development, sales, and controlling.
- Preparing and supporting the market launch.
Head of Product Management – e-Golf and Golf GTE
Volkswagen AG
- Product responsibility for the first electric and hybrid Golf variants (e-Golf, Golf GTE).
- Managing product features and equipment logic regarding e-mobility, range, positioning, and pricing strategies.
- Aligning with engineering, sales, marketing, and international markets.
- Key contribution to positioning the e-models within the Golf portfolio and to their strategic introduction in selected markets.
Head of Product Management – A-Class R Models / R-Line
Volkswagen R
- Responsible for product management of A-Class R models and R-Line variants (e.g., Golf R).
- Managed performance and design features in close coordination with development, sales, and motorsport/performance brand image.
- Helped shape Volkswagen R’s brand positioning as the sporty spearhead of the brand.
Head of Corporate Development North America
Volkswagen Individual GmbH
- Built and expanded VW Individual activities in North America (NAR).
- Conducted market analysis and set up structures and processes for individual products in the USA and Mexico.
- Managed international projects for physical products in a new market environment.
Product Management – Special Editions / Individual
Volkswagen Individual GmbH
- Responsible for product management of special editions and individual trims.
- Developed and managed exclusive edition models, including in close cooperation with sales and design.
- Coordinated the market introduction along the PEP.
Head of Product / Project Controlling
Volkswagen Individual GmbH
- Set up and led product and project controlling.
- Managed project budgets and profitability analyses for individual and special models.
- Worked directly with management on investment and product decisions.
Industry experience
See where this freelancer has spent most of their professional time.
Experienced in Automotive, Food and Beverage, and Professional Services.
Business area experience
See which departments and functions this freelancer has contributed to most.
Experienced in Product Development, Project Management, Strategy, Marketing, Sales, and Supply Chain Management.
Summary
Managing Director, program lead and long-time product manager with over 20 years of experience in the automotive industry, in international product and project management, and in building bridges between Europe and Asia-Pacific.
Proven track record in series and model responsibility (e-Golf, Golf GTE, The New Jetta, R models), in leading the MQB evo program, agile coaching & innovation management, and in building new business models and trading structures (SMATRA Trading Group & Consultancy).
Strong in team development, international project management for physical products, and in strategic business development focusing on Europe/APAC, premium consumer goods (coffee & tea), and digital sustainability transformation.
Skills
Executive Management & Corporate Development (Europe / Apac)
International Product & Project Management (Physical Products)
Series / Model Responsibility (E-Golf, Golf Gte, The New Jetta, R Models)
Program Leadership Of Mqb Evo, Model Year And Variant Management
Agile Coaching & Innovation Management
Team Development & Leadership In Matrix Organizations
Market Entry & Go-To-Market Strategies (Europe ↔ Asia-Pacific)
Building Expert Networks & Partnerships
Strategy, Business Development & Digital Sustainability Transformation
Ms Office (Excel, Powerpoint, Word)
Sap (Reporting/Controlling, Product-Related Applications)
Erp / Project Controlling Systems (E.G. Psi Penta – Previously)
Project Management Tools (Ms Project, Jira, Etc.)
Product Development Process (Pep), Stage-Gate, Agile Methods
Executive Management & Business Development (Europe – Apac)
International Product And Project Management
Market Entry And Growth Strategies (Consumer Goods, Especially Coffee & Tea)
Automotive: Series / Model Responsibility, E-Mobility, Performance Models
Building And Leading International, Interdisciplinary Teams
Languages
Education
FHDW Hannover – University of Applied Sciences for Business
Diploma in Business Administration (FH) · European Business · Hanover, Germany
Certifications & licenses
Agile Leadership / Agile Coaching
Volkswagen AG
E-Traction E-Mobility
Autouni
Leadership Training & Leadership License
Volkswagen AG
Product Management
Autouni
Service Design Thinking
Dark Horse
Statistics
Experience
Global experience
Expertise
Qualifications
Profile
Frequently asked questions
Have questions? Find more information here.
Bastian is based in Braunschweig, Germany and can operate in on-site, hybrid, and remote work models.
Bastian speaks the following languages: German (Native), English (Advanced), Spanish (Elementary), French (Elementary).
Bastian has at least 18 years of experience. During this time, Bastian has worked in at least 9 different roles and for 4 different companies. The average length of individual experience is 2 years. Note that Bastian may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.
Based on recent experience, Bastian would be well-suited for roles such as: Managing Director / Partner, Program Lead MQB evo - Model Year 2017, Product Management – Agile Coaching & Innovation Management.
Bastian's most recent position is Managing Director / Partner at SMATRA Trading Group & Consultancy.
In recent years, Bastian has worked for SMATRA Trading Group & Consultancy and Volkswagen AG.
Bastian is most experienced in industries like Automotive, Food and Beverage, and Professional Services.
Bastian is most experienced in business areas like Product Development, Project Management, and Strategy. Bastian also has some experience in Marketing, Sales, and Supply Chain Management.
Bastian has recently worked in industries like Automotive, Food and Beverage, and Professional Services.
Bastian has recently worked in business areas like Product Development, Project Management, and Sales.
Bastian holds a Bachelor in European Business from FHDW Hannover – University of Applied Sciences for Business.
Bastian has 5 certificates. Among them, these include: Agile Leadership / Agile Coaching, E-Traction E-Mobility, and Leadership Training & Leadership License.
Bastian is immediately available part-time for suitable projects.
Daily rate distribution
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Average rates for similar positions
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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 24 Aug 2026. Actual rates may vary depending on seniority level, experience, skill specialization, project complexity, and engagement length.
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