Derek K.-Founder
Check rate
Experience
Founder
FiftyForward
Building a company to "support people over 50 as they start a new career"
Focus: "AI first" approaches to establish all relevant processes reliably in the shortest possible time
Core areas:
Business development (including competitor monitoring, channel selection, B2B and B2C strategies)
Marketing (building and optimizing funnels, organic and with paid ads)
Sales (direct B2B and B2C outreach resulting from marketing funnels)
Fulfillment (platform and process development, AI optimization)
Product management (developing the offering and MOAT)
One-to-one coaching and mentoring, platform development and operations
Founder
Unternehmensritter
Strategy implementation for SMEs and training project managers
- 48h analysis for stalled projects and 4 weeks of stabilization
- Training and mentoring program for transformation project managers, Unternehmensritter®
Strategy Implementation / Transformation
DKC – Derek Klumpe Consulting
The company (plant engineering) had developed goals for the German market through a large consulting firm, but had no real, recognized implementation plan.
Step 1: Checked the feasibility of the goals and confirmed suitable levers
Step 2: Kick-off workshops in the affected areas / processes (e.g. project management, customer service, engineering)
Step 3: Set up monitoring and installed a PMO
Strategy development, strategy implementation, PMO management, transformation, process optimization, staff development, executive board communications
Senior Vice President Business Process Management (BPM)
Fritz Schäfer GmbH & Co. KG
Family-owned intralogistics company offering solutions for all warehouse needs and related software (2021 revenue: 1,8 Mrd. EUR)
- Special project: Development of a group strategy (including vision & mission), deriving business unit strategies and required strategic projects
- Introduction of a BPM framework, including an agenda for digital process transformation
- Introduction of group-wide risk management
- Further development of project management for internal and customer projects
Vice President Site Strategies and Space Management
Schaeffler AG
Global corporate group, the world's leading manufacturer of rolling bearings and automotive supplier (2018 revenue: 14,2 Mrd. EUR)
- Planning & management of all construction activities at headquarters sites
- Portfolio management and project controlling for the overall program (40 MEUR)
Program Manager for Executive Board Initiative(s)
Schaeffler AG
globally active group of companies, the world's leading manufacturer of rolling bearings and automotive supplier (2018 revenue: 14.2 billion EUR)
- Project controlling and coaching for selected initiatives
Director “Organizational Excellence”
Schaeffler AG
globally active group of companies, the world's leading manufacturer of rolling bearings and automotive supplier (2018 revenue: 14.2 billion EUR)
- Designed and implemented the reorganization of the Asia-Pacific region, including global alignment
- Developed and implemented country strategies and derived action plans for R&D, Supply Chain, Production, Sales, HR and IT
- Defined and enforced a common business culture in APAC
Senior Manager Special Projects
Schaeffler AG
globally active group of companies, the world's leading manufacturer of rolling bearings and automotive supplier (2018 revenue: 14.2 billion EUR)
- Defined and implemented a new organization for China and India
- Established consistent Supply Chain Management in Asia
- Established and further developed project management in the region
Self-employed Consultant for Process and Project Management
Derek Klumpe Consulting (DKC)
- Identified and resolved process inefficiencies in the production facilities of a globally active German company in Houston, USA
- Defined and implemented quality assurance for the customer service department of a mobile network operator at the Nuremberg location
Head of Process and Project Management
O₂ Germany (today: Telefónica Deutschland Holding AG)
Subsidiary of the telecommunications company O₂, providing both mobile and landline connections (2006 revenue: 2.8 billion EUR)
- Restructured central functions at the German HQ
- Optimized the “product development” process in terms of time and quality
- Improved idea management (tripled savings)
Project Manager for CTO and CAO (Corp. Affairs Officer) Projects
O₂ Germany (today: Telefónica Deutschland Holding AG)
Subsidiary of the telecommunications company O₂, selling mobile and landline connections (2006 revenue: 2.8 billion EUR)
- PMO for the brand transition from “VIAG Interkom” to “O₂”
- (Re-)certification of all branches according to ISO 9001:2000
- Further development of a database for monitoring network expansion (2G/3G)
Car Leasing Specialist
adidas Salomon AG (today: adidas AG)
German sporting goods manufacturer with the brands Adidas, Reebok and TaylorMade (2000 revenue: 5.8 billion EUR)
- Supporting all stakeholders in day-to-day business (including leasing companies)
- Special project: Simultaneous replacement of the entire field sales fleet (90 cars)
Training/Further Education
Bundeswehr (Fernmelderegiment 220, Donauwörth)
Industry experience
See where this freelancer has spent most of their professional time.
Experienced in Manufacturing, Automotive, Telecommunication, Transportation, Professional Services, and Sport.
Business area experience
See which departments and functions this freelancer has contributed to most.
Experienced in Project Management, Strategy, Information Technology, Quality Assurance, Product Development, and Supply Chain Management.
Summary
- Founder of Unternehmensritter®
- Founder of FiftyForward
- AI enthusiast with a large network
20 years of experience in transformation projects (goals include: profitability, future readiness, resilience, growth)
20 years of multinational experience, including > 6 years living abroad
- Project management and portfolio management expert
- Expert in business process management (BPM)
- Extensive expertise and in-depth experience in strategy development and implementation
- Excellent networker who can build high-performing teams in a short time
- Superpower: explaining complex and complicated topics in simple terms
Skills
Industry Focus
- Plant Engineering
- Industrial And Automotive Suppliers
- It And Telecommunications
- Sporting Goods Manufacturers
Areas Of Expertise
- Strategy Development
- Transformation And Business Development
- Business Process Management (Bpm)
- Organizational Development
- Project / Program Management
- Portfolio Management
Management Style / Way Of Working
- Structured / Systematic
- Network-Based
- Make It Simple
- Pragmatic Approaches: Robust, Simple, Yet Effective
Technical
20 Years Of Experience As A Project / Program Management Expert (Ipma Certificates)
15 Years As A Process Manager (Including Bpm Digitization)
10 Years In Business Development (Direct Reporting Line To The C-Suite)
- Additional Certifications: Cscp (Apics), Crem (Irebs), Riskmgt., Coaching
It
- Microsoft O365 And Google Suite
- Working With Llms (Chatgpt, Claude, Gemini) And Building Ai Agents
Languages
Education
AKAD Fachhochschule Stuttgart
Diplom Betriebswirt (FH) · Business Administration · Stuttgart, Germany
AKAD Fachhochschule Stuttgart
Diplom (FH) · Business Administration · Stuttgart, Germany · 2,0
International Business Administration
Focus areas:
- Organizational development
- International Business Administration
Certifications & licenses
CREM
IREBS
CSCP
APICS
Coaching
IPMA certificates
Riskmgt.
Statistics
Experience
Global experience
Expertise
Qualifications
Frequently asked questions
Have questions? Find more information here.
Derek is based in Erlangen, Germany and can operate in on-site, hybrid, and remote work models.
Derek speaks the following languages: German (Native), English (Advanced), Spanish (Elementary).
Derek has at least 28 years of experience. During this time, Derek has worked in at least 12 different roles and for 9 different companies. The average length of individual experience is 2 years and 2 months. Note that Derek may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.
Based on recent experience, Derek would be well-suited for roles such as: Founder, Strategy Implementation / Transformation, Senior Vice President Business Process Management (BPM).
Derek's most recent position is Founder at FiftyForward.
In recent years, Derek has worked for FiftyForward, Unternehmensritter, DKC – Derek Klumpe Consulting, and Fritz Schäfer GmbH & Co. KG.
Derek is most experienced in industries like Manufacturing, Automotive, and Telecommunication. Derek also has some experience in Transportation, Professional Services, and Sport.
Derek is most experienced in business areas like Project Management, Strategy, and Information Technology. Derek also has some experience in Quality Assurance, Product Development, and Customer Service.
Derek has recently worked in industries like Transportation, Professional Services, and Manufacturing.
Derek has recently worked in business areas like Project Management, Strategy, and Information Technology.
Derek holds a Master in Business Administration from AKAD Fachhochschule Stuttgart and a Master in Business Administration from AKAD Fachhochschule Stuttgart.
Derek has 5 certificates. Among them, these include: CREM, CSCP, and Coaching.
Derek is immediately available part-time for suitable projects.
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Average rates for similar positions
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Calculated based on our freelancers’ daily rates as of 3 Nov 2026. Actual rates may vary depending on seniority level, experience, skill specialization, project complexity, and engagement length.
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