Folke V.-Product Strategy · Integrated Solutions · Product Governance
Check rate
Experience
Nameling – AI-supported product development
- Relaunched a self-developed semantic name recommendation product by combining semantic search, graph-based similarity analysis, LLM-/RAG-supported content, and AI-assisted development processes.
- End-to-end responsibility across the product lifecycle—from use case definition and solution design through prototyping and evaluation to the iterative development of the roadmap.
- Evaluated AI use cases in terms of user value, technical feasibility, data quality, governance, and operating costs to guide MVP scope, roadmap decisions, and continuous product improvement.
E2E Process Manager / Internal Consultant for Product Organization
SMA Solar Technology AG
Central responsibility for portfolio governance, operating model design, and organizational integration in a product development organization with more than 400 employees
- Designed the transformation of the operating model across product management, software and hardware development, and IT—from target vision, roles, and governance to practical implementation.
- Owned the end-to-end processes for portfolio management and solution development, connecting strategy, investment decisions, capacity allocation, and operational value delivery.
- Developed lean-agile portfolio practices for epic intake, impact-oriented prioritization, joint effort estimation, business cases, and KPI-, ROI-, and TCO-based decisions.
- Facilitated cross-functional decision-making processes and resolved goal, prioritization, and dependency conflicts between management, product areas, and development.
- Supported managers, Product Owners, and interdisciplinary teams in introducing new roles, decision-making processes, and ways of working together.
Senior Product Manager, Energy Management
SMA Solar Technology AG
End-to-end responsibility for an international portfolio of integrated hardware, software, and service solutions for energy management and energy market integration
- Developed product visions, value propositions, and roadmaps for digital energy services, virtual power plants, and commercial energy management solutions in Germany and the USA.
- Translated customer problems, regulatory requirements, and technological opportunities into prioritized use cases, product requirements, and viable solution concepts.
- Led interdisciplinary product and expert teams as well as a development organization with more than 120 employees around shared product goals and delivery roadmaps.
- Shaped strategic product and development partnerships with Volkswagen/Audi, Vaillant, BSH, MVV, and other stakeholders in the energy ecosystem.
Impact: Brought SMA SPOT, SMA’s first energy market product, to market readiness and shaped the long-term strategic and organizational direction of the portfolio for energy management and energy market integration.
Development & Systems Engineer
SMA Solar Technology AG
Technical product development, software architecture, and partnership development for cross-sector energy management solutions
- Led the redesign of the energy management platform’s software architecture and connected its technical modernization with the long-term product roadmap.
- Initiated and led cross-industry working groups for electromobility and heating at EEBus e. V. and DKE.
- Managed joint development initiatives with Volkswagen, Vaillant, and BSH and coordinated requirements, interfaces, and joint results across organizations.
Impact: Strengthened SMA’s position in strategic partner ecosystems and created the technological foundation for the Sunny Home Manager 2.0, with more than 400,000 devices sold to date.
Research Associate
University of Kassel
Research and teaching on recommender systems, semantic similarity, and complex networks
- Developed an innovative data-based approach to name recommendation and transferred the research into Nameling, an internationally used web application.
- Designed and implemented research applications and ensured their reliable technical operation.
- Doctorate with summa cum laude on the topic “Relatedness in Evidence Networks”.
Industry experience
See where this freelancer has spent most of their professional time.
Experienced in Manufacturing, Utilities, Energy, Education, and Information Technology.
Business area experience
See which departments and functions this freelancer has contributed to most.
Experienced in Product Development, Strategy, Project Management, Information Technology, Research and Development, and Operations.
Summary
Senior Product Manager with a technical foundation and many years of end-to-end responsibility for complex digital products and integrated hardware, software, and service solutions. Experienced in developing product visions, roadmaps, and viable value propositions at the intersection of market, customer, technology, business model, and regulation. Combines operational product responsibility with the ability to effectively develop product organizations, decision-making processes, and portfolio structures.
Skills
- Integrated Solution Development: Hardware, Software, And Service Solutions · End-To-End Product Lifecycle · Customer Value, Technology, And Business Model
- Methods: Design Thinking, Lean Startup, And Mvp · Hypothesis-Based Validation And Prototyping · Agile Product Development, Scrum, And Safe
- Product Strategy & Portfolio: Product Vision, Value Proposition, And Roadmap · Market, Customer, And Competitor Analysis · Prioritization And Investment Decisions
- Product Organization And Governance: Roles, Responsibilities, And Decision-Making Processes · Cross-Functional Product Leadership · Connecting Strategy, Portfolio, And Delivery
Languages
Education
PFH Private Hochschule Göttingen
B.Sc. Applied Psychology · Applied Psychology · Göttingen, Germany
University of Kassel
Doctorate in Computer Science · Computer Science · Kassel, Germany · summa cum laude
Technische Universität Ilmenau
Diploma in Computer Science · Computer Science · Ilmenau, Germany · with distinction
Certifications & licenses
Certified SAFe® Lean Portfolio Manager
Scaled Agile, Inc.
Scaled Agile, Inc.
Geprüfter Industrieller Energiemanager
ILS Institut für Lernsysteme
Statistics
Experience
Global experience
Expertise
Qualifications
Profile
Frequently asked questions
Have questions? Find more information here.
Folke is based in Kassel, Germany and can operate in on-site, hybrid, and remote work models.
Folke speaks the following languages: German (Native), English (Advanced), French (Elementary), Russian (Elementary).
Folke has at least 18 years of experience. During this time, Folke has worked in at least 5 different roles and for 2 different companies. The average length of individual experience is 4 years and 6 months. Note that Folke may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.
Based on recent experience, Folke would be well-suited for roles such as: Nameling – AI-supported product development, E2E Process Manager / Internal Consultant for Product Organization, Senior Product Manager, Energy Management.
Folke's most recent position is Nameling – AI-supported product development.
In recent years, Folke has worked for SMA Solar Technology AG.
Folke is most experienced in industries like Manufacturing, Utilities, and Energy. Folke also has some experience in Education and Information Technology.
Folke is most experienced in business areas like Product Development, Strategy, and Project Management. Folke also has some experience in Information Technology, Research and Development, and Operations.
Folke has recently worked in industries like Manufacturing, Utilities, and Energy.
Folke has recently worked in business areas like Product Development, Strategy, and Project Management.
Folke holds a Doctorate in Computer Science from University of Kassel, a Bachelor in Applied Psychology from PFH Private Hochschule Göttingen and a Bachelor in Computer Science from Technische Universität Ilmenau.
Folke has 3 certificates. These include: Certified SAFe® Lean Portfolio Manager, Certified SAFe® Program Consultant, and Geprüfter Industrieller Energiemanager.
Folke is immediately available full-time for suitable projects.
Daily rate distribution
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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 26 Sep 2026. Actual rates may vary depending on seniority level, experience, skill specialization, project complexity, and engagement length.
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