David Gutjahr-Managing Director - Digitalisation & Operational Excellence
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Experience
Managing Director - Digitalisation & Operational Excellence
Dr. Gutjahr Engineering
- Process digitalisation: Designed and implemented advanced automation solutions for mid-sized businesses, integrating workflow digitalisation to reduce operational costs by 20% and boost productivity by 25%.
- Interim operations leadership (6 months): Stepped in as Head of Operations (production planning, purchasing, shop floor management) for a German SME; optimised processes, stabilised supply chain, and increased output capacity by 50%.
- Task force lead: Drove turnaround and recovery initiatives, securing production continuity and realising over €50M in supply chain savings.
- Solution delivery: Combined consulting, implementation, and interim management, delivering high-impact digital transformation projects from concept to on-site execution.
- Stakeholder management: Built close customer relationships, ensuring project success through transparent communication and continuous improvement.
Senior Consultant - Management Consulting Automotive
Berylls Strategy Advisors
- Led digital transformation projects for top-tier automotive clients, delivering €10M+ in cost savings through streamlined supply chain operations.
- Implemented supply chain improvements that increased production efficiency by 20%.
- Developed and maintained positive relationships with automotive industry clients, stakeholders, and team members to ensure continuous project success.
Senior Manager - Strategy & Technology
Hyundai Motor Group
- Developed strategic foresight processes that identified €50M+ in new business opportunities across urban mobility, autonomous logistics, and healthcare transportation.
- Led various tech-driven business opportunity initiatives and futures research projects.
- Derived future product strategies based on value chain analyses, driving innovation in urban mobility, autonomous logistics, and healthcare transportation.
Team Lead - Vehicle Data Analytics
BMW Technology Office
- Had overall responsibility for an advanced data analytics unit including design, development, and implementation of IoT hardware, cloud infrastructure as well as data collection, handling, evaluation.
- Led a team of 12 associates, managing a €2M budget and achieving €15M cost savings through data-driven improvements.
- Derived 60+ requirements and technical measures for future products based on data insights leading to improved product performance and customer value.
- Development of advanced data collection hardware for additional cost savings of €1.5M+.
- Led cross-division collaboration with vehicle engineering and product owners as well as support functions like legal, procurement, controlling, marketing, CRM, and HR.
Manager - Research & Development Projects
BMW Technology Office
- Analysed China's mobility ecosystems and developed a comprehensive strategic vision for future mobility, integrating urban development trends, regulatory frameworks, and customer preferences.
- Derived product proposals for future premium mobility products based on urban development and regulation projections as well as customer preferences.
- Contributed to the strategic roadmap for New Energy Vehicle products in China, aligning with market demands, regulatory requirements, and emerging mobility trends.
Manager - Customer Orientation, Requirements, Benchmarking
BMW Group R&D Center
- Responsible for qualitative and quantitative research studies on driving behaviour and vehicle usage with a direct impact on product targets and requirements.
- Managed three technical benchmark analyses and obtained data on functional developments.
- Led a team for technical road-mapping to forecast functional developments on component level.
Early Career Roles - Product Strategy and Engineering
BMW Group R&D Center
- Vehicle benchmarking and cost analysis: Led 10+ vehicle benchmarking projects, analysing chassis components and vehicle body parts. Delivered insights on materials, dimensions, weights, and manufacturing processes, resulting in cost optimization across multiple product lines.
- Tire development: Pioneered research linking subjective tire evaluations with measurable data, influencing product development strategies.
- Noise and vibration optimization: Conducted advanced research in noise and vibration harshness using impact simulations, contributing to improved vehicle comfort and design efficiency.
Industry experience
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Experienced in Automotive and Manufacturing.
Business area experience
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Experienced in Product Development, Research and Development, Information Technology, Operations, Supply Chain Management, and Procurement.
Summary
Results-driven executive with 17+ years of international leadership experience in automotive, manufacturing, and industrial technology sectors. Specialist in end-to-end digitalisation, process automation, and operational transformation, combining strategic foresight with hands-on implementation. Extensive track record in designing and deploying digital solutions, advanced analytics, and Industry 4.0 processes in production environments. Recognised for leading complex operational mandates in both consulting and interim management roles, delivering up to 30% efficiency gains and multimillion-euro cost reductions. Culturally agile, with substantial experience building high-performing, multicultural teams and stakeholder networks across Europe and Asia.
Languages
Education
KIT Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
Doctorate, Vehicle Engineering · Vehicle Engineering · Karlsruhe, Germany
Loughborough University
Visiting Student · Marketing and Innovation, Sports Technology, Vehicle Dynamics · Loughborough, United Kingdom
Dresden University of Technology
Diploma, Mechanical Engineering · Mechanical Engineering · Dresden, Germany
Statistics
Experience
Global experience
Expertise
Qualifications
Profile
Frequently asked questions
Have questions? Find more information here.
David is based in Munich, Germany and can operate in on-site, hybrid, and remote work models.
David speaks the following languages: German (Native), English (Advanced), Chinese (Intermediate), Japanese (Elementary).
David has at least 18 years of experience. During this time, David has worked in at least 7 different roles and for 5 different companies. The average length of individual experience is 3 years and 7 months. Note that David may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.
Based on recent experience, David would be well-suited for roles such as: Managing Director - Digitalisation & Operational Excellence, Senior Consultant - Management Consulting Automotive, Senior Manager - Strategy & Technology.
David's most recent position is Managing Director - Digitalisation & Operational Excellence at Dr. Gutjahr Engineering.
In recent years, David has worked for Dr. Gutjahr Engineering and Berylls Strategy Advisors.
David is most experienced in industries like Automotive and Manufacturing.
David is most experienced in business areas like Product Development, Research and Development, and Information Technology. David also has some experience in Operations, Supply Chain Management, and Procurement.
David has recently worked in industries like Manufacturing and Automotive.
David has recently worked in business areas like Operations, Supply Chain Management, and Information Technology.
David holds a Doctorate in Vehicle Engineering from KIT Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, a Doctorate in Mechanical Engineering from Dresden University of Technology and a Bachelor in Marketing and Innovation, Sports Technology, Vehicle Dynamics from Loughborough University.
The availability of David needs to be confirmed.
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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.
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