Carsten N.-Interim Production Manager | Lean Management & AI Transformation | Process Optimization in Manufacturing/Automotive
Check rate
Experience
Production and Process Consultant
Self-employed
- Ramp-up management: Stabilizing ramp-ups - whether for a new product, a new production line or series production - until the processes run reliably
- Production management and process optimization: Sustainably improving lead times, inventories and delivery performance through value stream analysis and continuous improvement
- Solving process and quality problems at their root instead of treating symptoms
- Embedding Lean and shopfloor management in daily operations together with the management team
- Change management and stakeholder management: Guiding managers and teams through change and involving the wider environment
Head of Vehicle Completion / Final Assembly
VW Nutzfahrzeuge
- Overall responsibility for chassis adjustment, engine commissioning, and electrical and mechanical final assembly.
- Span of control of approx. 700 employees, 5 direct reports, 2 departments
- Significant reduction of vehicle inventory through process transparency, targeted personnel deployment and the establishment of an interdisciplinary team to resolve complex E/E and software issues.
- Management of market-specific delivery priorities with short lead times and country-specific regulations.
- Definition of strategic guidelines for managing and planning the organizational unit.
Product Phase-out Project Manager
Volkswagen Nutzfahrzeuge
- Took over project management at short notice following an unexpected absence.
- Stabilized ongoing operations within a few days and coordinated all trades along the vehicle production process chain during an extensive plant conversion.
- Ramp-up on schedule and within budget after the conversion phase.
- Successfully led a project group (works council, equal opportunities representative, production areas) to develop flexible working time models for employees outside the newly takt-based flow production.
Head of New Products / Pilot Hall
VW Nutzfahrzeuge
- Production-side responsibility for product changes and equipment optimization in body construction and assembly.
- Established and led interdisciplinary teams to resolve complex product-related problems during the ramp-up of new vehicle models.
- Successfully launched two models into production — from the testing phase through stable series production.
- Responsibility for the pilot hall’s budget and personnel planning, including long-term competency and qualification requirements.
Head of Radiator Production
VW Components Hannover
- Managed an internal components unit with approx. 300 employees in production and logistics.
- Ensured quality-compliant and on-time supply to all Group brands.
- Budget responsibility in direct competition with external suppliers — cost, delivery performance and quality as competitive factors, not merely Group requirements.
- Established stable production and logistics processes to ensure delivery capability.
Head of Process Design
VW Commercial Vehicles
- Coordination and execution of process optimization workshops across production.
- Establishment and further development of lean principles in vehicle manufacturing, including work organization.
- Design and delivery of lean training for managers and production employees.
- Establishment of structures for continuous improvement (KVP) and for the sustainable integration of lean on the shop floor.
Resident for VW Commercial Vehicles
VW Commercial Vehicles
- Representing VW as the supplier of painted bodies for the Porsche Panamera during the ramp-up.
- Recording customer complaints, organizing feedback on defects and rework directly on site.
- Responsible for communicating corrective actions and quality improvements to Porsche.
Project Management Specialist for the Porsche Panamera Project at VW
VW Commercial Vehicles
- Supporting project management for the start-up of body deliveries for the Porsche Panamera.
- Coordinating schedules for equipment installation and pre-series parts
- Interface between development, body construction and the customer.
- Coordinating technical changes, quality requirements and process adjustments in the pre-series and ramp-up environment.
Body Construction Production
VW Commercial Vehicles
- Started at VW Hannover in body construction through an internship and diploma thesis, followed by several roles ranging from specialist to head of a production area.
- Responsible for body processes, quality and productivity in series production, as well as contributing to process improvements and production planning.
- As a department manager and later head of a production area in body construction, built and managed lines during the ramp-up of the VW Multivan/Transporter T5.
- Managed teams working in shifts, worked closely with project management, maintenance and quality assurance, and implemented measures to stabilize lead times and defect rates.
- This resulted in an early combination of shop-floor leadership, process optimization and ramp-up management.
Industry experience
See where this freelancer has spent most of their professional time.
Experienced in Automotive and Manufacturing.
Business area experience
See which departments and functions this freelancer has contributed to most.
Experienced in Production, Project Management, Operations, Quality Assurance, Product Development, and Logistics.
Summary
When a ramp-up is not running smoothly or an existing production operation gets out of control, you need someone who knows the shop floor from the inside and takes action.
I worked for 30 years in various leadership positions in the production division of an international automotive company, most recently with responsibility for up to 700 employees. I led production ramp-ups from testing through stable series production, took over critical situations as an interim project manager after sudden absences and stabilized them within days, and was responsible for component production in direct competition with external suppliers. I know both sides: management’s cost pressure and the reality on the line.
My areas of focus:
Ramp-up management: Stabilizing ramp-ups — whether for a new product, a new production line or series production — until the processes run reliably
Production management and process optimization: Sustainably improving lead times, inventories and delivery performance through value stream analysis and continuous improvement
Solving process and quality problems at their root instead of treating symptoms
Embedding Lean and shopfloor management in daily operations together with the management team
Change management and stakeholder management: Guiding managers and teams through change and involving the wider environment
I take action directly on site, either in an advisory role for individual projects or as an interim manager who takes responsibility until the new processes and structures are running reliably.
Methods: Lean Management · Value Stream Analysis · Continuous Improvement · 5S · Shopfloor Management · Ramp-up Management · Process Optimization · Change Management · Stakeholder Management · Manufacturing Excellence · Automotive/Automotive Suppliers · KPI Management
Skills
Leadership & Responsibility
- Many Years Of Leadership Experience In Production (Up To 700 Employees)
- Interim Project Management / Interim Management In Critical Situations And After Sudden Absences
- Decision-Making And Budget Responsibility In Production Environments
- Responsibility For Component Production In Competition With External Suppliers
Methods & Expertise
- Ramp-Up Management (Testing Through Stable Series Production)
- Lean Management, Value Stream Analysis, Continuous Improvement, 5s
- Shopfloor Management
- Process Optimization: Lead Times, Inventories, Delivery Performance
- Root Cause Analysis For Process And Quality Problems
- Change Management And Stakeholder Management
Communication & Working Style
- Hands-On, With Operational Implementation Directly On Site
- Strong Communication Skills At All Hierarchical Levels (From Management To The Line)
- Structured, Solution-Oriented Approach
- High Level Of Initiative, Strong Organizational Skills And Results Orientation
Continuous Development Certified As Ihk Manager For Applied Ai Transformation — Use Of Ai Tools To Support Process Analysis And Decision-Making
Languages
Education
Universität Bremen
Diplom-Ingenieur · Production Engineering · Bremen, Germany
Statistics
Experience
Global experience
Expertise
Qualifications
Frequently asked questions
Have questions? Find more information here.
Carsten is based in Hanover, Germany and can operate in on-site, hybrid, and remote work models.
Carsten speaks the following languages: German (Native), English (Advanced), Spanish (Elementary), French (Elementary), Dutch (Elementary), Swedish (Elementary).
Carsten has at least 22 years of experience. During this time, Carsten has worked in at least 9 different roles and for 5 different companies. The average length of individual experience is 2 years and 5 months. Note that Carsten may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.
Based on recent experience, Carsten would be well-suited for roles such as: Production and Process Consultant, Head of Vehicle Completion / Final Assembly, Product Phase-out Project Manager.
Carsten's most recent position is Production and Process Consultant at Self-employed.
In recent years, Carsten has worked for Self-employed, VW Nutzfahrzeuge, and Volkswagen Nutzfahrzeuge.
Carsten is most experienced in industries like Automotive and Manufacturing.
Carsten is most experienced in business areas like Production, Project Management, and Operations. Carsten also has some experience in Quality Assurance, Product Development, and Logistics.
Carsten has recently worked in industries like Automotive and Manufacturing.
Carsten has recently worked in business areas like Production, Project Management, and Product Development.
Carsten holds a Master in Production Engineering from Universität Bremen.
Carsten is immediately available full-time for suitable projects.
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Calculated based on our freelancers’ daily rates as of 25 Oct 2026. Actual rates may vary depending on seniority level, experience, skill specialization, project complexity, and engagement length.
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