Bastian Vasterling - Managing Director / Partner

Q: Where is Bastian based?

Bastian is based in Braunschweig, Germany and can operate in on-site , hybrid , and remote work models.

Q: What languages does Bastian speak?

Bastian speaks the following languages: German (Native), English (Advanced), Spanish (Elementary), French (Elementary) .

Q: How many years of experience does Bastian have?

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.

Q: What is Bastian's latest experience?

Bastian's most recent position is Managing Director / Partner at SMATRA Trading Group & Consultancy .

Q: What companies has Bastian worked for in recent years?

In recent years, Bastian has worked for SMATRA Trading Group & Consultancy and Volkswagen AG .

Q: Which industries is Bastian most experienced in?

Bastian is most experienced in industries like Automotive , Food and Beverage , and Professional Services .

Q: Which business areas is Bastian most experienced in?

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 .

Q: Which industries has Bastian worked in recently?

Bastian has recently worked in industries like Automotive , Food and Beverage , and Professional Services .

Q: Which business areas has Bastian worked in recently?

Bastian has recently worked in business areas like Product Development , Project Management , and Sales .

Recommended expert

Braunschweig, Germany

Check rate

Experience

Jan 2024 - Present

2 years 6 months

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.

May 2022 - Dec 2024

2 years 8 months

Wolfsburg, Germany

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.

Jan 2016 - Oct 2021

5 years 10 months

Wolfsburg, Germany

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.

Jan 2015 - Dec 2016

2 years

Wolfsburg, Germany

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.

Jan 2013 - Dec 2015

3 years

Wolfsburg, Germany

Hybrid

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.

Jan 2010 - Dec 2011

2 years

Wolfsburg, Germany

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.

Jan 2009 - Dec 2010

2 years

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.

Nov 2007 - Apr 2009

1 year 6 months

Wolfsburg, Germany

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.

Sep 2006 - Oct 2007

1 year 2 months

Wolfsburg, Germany

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.

Automotive

Food and Beverage

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.

Product Development

Project Management

Strategy

Marketing

Sales

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

German

Native

English

Advanced

Spanish

Elementary

French

Elementary

Education

Jan 2000 - Dec 2003

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

Total positions 9

Experience in Automotive 16.5 y

Avg length 2 y 5 m

Longest experience 5 y 9 m

Global Experience

Countries worked in 1 (Germany)

Primary country Germany

Expertise

Recent roles Managing Director / Partner, Program Lead MQB evo - Model Year 2017, Product Management – Agile Coaching & Innovation Management

Main industries Automotive, Food and Beverage, Professional Services

Main business areas Product Development, Project Management, Strategy

Qualifications

Highest degree Bachelor

Certifications earned 5

Profile

Created

June 2026

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Frequently asked questions

Have questions? Find more information here.

Where is Bastian based?

Bastian is based in Braunschweig, Germany and can operate in on-site, hybrid, and remote work models.

What languages does Bastian speak?

Bastian speaks the following languages: German (Native), English (Advanced), Spanish (Elementary), French (Elementary).

How many years of experience does Bastian have?

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.

What roles would Bastian be best suited for?

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.

What is Bastian's latest experience?

Bastian's most recent position is Managing Director / Partner at SMATRA Trading Group & Consultancy.

What companies has Bastian worked for in recent years?

In recent years, Bastian has worked for SMATRA Trading Group & Consultancy and Volkswagen AG.

Which industries is Bastian most experienced in?

Bastian is most experienced in industries like Automotive, Food and Beverage, and Professional Services.

Which business areas is Bastian most experienced in?

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.

Which industries has Bastian worked in recently?

Bastian has recently worked in industries like Automotive, Food and Beverage, and Professional Services.

Which business areas has Bastian worked in recently?

Bastian has recently worked in business areas like Product Development, Project Management, and Sales.

What is Bastian's education?

Bastian holds a Bachelor in European Business from FHDW Hannover – University of Applied Sciences for Business.

Does Bastian have any certificates?

Bastian has 5 certificates. Among them, these include: Agile Leadership / Agile Coaching, E-Traction E-Mobility, and Leadership Training & Leadership License.

What is the availability of Bastian?

Bastian is immediately available part-time for suitable projects.

What is the rate of Bastian?

Bastian's rate depends on the specific project requirements. Please use the Meet button on the profile to schedule a meeting and discuss the details.