Jakob (M.) Hess-CEO - CRO - Advisory Board Member
Check rate
Experience
Chief Transformation Officer
Engagement with an internationally active technology group
- Transformation and global scaling (listed in the MDAX)
- Stabilization and professionalization of the ongoing value creation program
- Consistent challenging of the workstreams regarding content, target achievement, and progress, as well as realization of the defined value drivers
- Identification and removal of implementation blockers to ensure execution speed
- Reporting to the Executive Board and Supervisory Board
Advisor to the Shareholder
Rego Herlitzius GmbH
Project description – Interim Management Mechanical Engineering (Food Technology)
A medium-sized mechanical engineering company, specializing in machines and systems for food processing, is currently in a phase of strategic and operational realignment. Against the backdrop of changing market requirements and increasing competitive pressure, an interim leadership position was created to make the company fit for the future from an organizational, production, and market perspective.
Focus areas of the ongoing mandate: restructuring of sales, internal sales, and engineering to improve market performance further development of a competitive, up-to-date product and pricing portfolio analysis and optimization of assembly and manufacturing processes, including qualification of international suppliers structuring of the service area and building a stable spare parts and after-sales business implementation of clear communication and decision-making paths between management, the company, and foreign production partners
Head of Sales ad interim
KOLBUS Group GmbH
- Reactivation of sales after insolvency
- Focus on contract manufacturing and iron foundry
- Revenue: €50 million
- Employees: 350
Managing Director ad interim
DALEX Automation & Welding GmbH
- Turnaround after insolvency
- Revenue: €20 million
- Employees: 150
- Reporting to the shareholders
Managing Director ad interim
EuroPriSe Cert GmbH
- Reporting to the shareholders
- Accreditation under Art. 42 GDPR by DAkkS
- International sales development
Managing Director ad Interim
Boehm Group GmbH
- Reporting to the shareholders
- Sales responsibility of approx. €20 million
- Personnel responsibility for 180 employees (today approx. 150)
- Stabilization of customer and supplier relationships
- Structuring of production
- Post-merger integration
Managing Director ad Interim & COO
Teigwaren Riesa GmbH
- Reporting to the shareholders
- Sales responsibility as COO of over €20 million
- Sales responsibility as Managing Director of approx. €2 million
- Significant increase in efficiency and quality
- Structuring of production
CEO – CTO – CRO – Advisory Board
Self-employed
- Companies advised include Seysen GmbH & Co. KG / shareholder of EFAFLEX, PROTEC B.V. NL, Matchbird GmbH – market leaders as serendipity service providers, private equity firms (incl. DBAG, Max Valier, SOL Capital), banks (incl. Bankhaus Metzler, Commerzbank)
- Internationalization of sales
- Increase in production efficiency (30%)
- Implementation of advisory boards (Protec, Matchbird)
- PMI / integration into the parent company / group
- Preparation of an acquisition (private equity)
- Accreditation of EuroPriSe Cert GmbH by DAkkS
Managing Director
EFAFLEX Tor- und Sicherheitssysteme GmbH & Co. KG
- Sales responsibility > €150 million
- Personnel responsibility for approx. 1,300 employees
- Overall responsibility for sales (worldwide) & production in Germany and Czechia
- Responsibility for R&D in Germany, Czechia & Slovenia
- Sales increase of more than 15%
- Restructuring of sales
- Reactivation of lost markets / customers
- Digitalization: initiation and rollout of SAP CRM
- Introduction of new products (e.g. machine protection doors, bulletproof doors)
- Internationalization (USA, China, India, Australia)
- Expansion of business activities in China, including building local partner structures and close cooperation with Chinese business partners
- New sales partners in Asia and Australia
- Introduction of company-wide marketing
- Introduction of document management
- Development of a KPI system
- M&A measures in Switzerland, the Netherlands and the USA
- Company agreements with the works council
- Customers include Audi, BMW, Volkswagen, Porsche, Amazon, Giesecke+Devrient, logistics centers, cold storage facilities, etc.
Head of Sales
Herzog Maschinenfabrik GmbH & Co. KG
- Supplier in plant engineering for cement and mineral production
- Sales > €40 million
- Employees: approx. 220
Managing Director
Inmess GmbH
- Focus on profitable product segments
- PMI / restructuring and closing of sites
- Stabilization and establishment in the market
- Product cleanup and introduction of a modular design
- Introduction of optical measurement technology as a new product field
- Cost savings through renegotiation and centralization
- Customers include: ZKW, Hella (optical measurement technology), Bosch, Nexen, Kumho, Audi, BMW, Volkswagen, Porsche, TÜV; Continental, Goodyear
Board Member
FLSmidth Airloq
- Increase in revenue from 7 to 25 million €
- PMI / integration of Airloq & FLSmidth Wuppertal into the group
- Product development
- Restructuring and concentration of production at one site
- Optimization of inventory turnover
- Product and process standardization within the group
- Acquisition of a mid-sized company
- Building end-to-end IT support to improve efficiency in order processing
- Introduction of document management
- Introduction of key figures (KPI)
- Preparation of production transfer to Chennai/India as well as close cooperation with Chinese customers and plant operators in global projects.
- Customers include: Lafarge, Holcim, Cemex, Vicat, HeidelbergCement, KHD, Polysius, Aumund, Buzzi, Rohrdorfer Zement, Aurubis, various steel companies
Sole Managing Director in 3 group companies
FLSmidth
Listed Danish group; plant engineering in cement and mineral production; revenue > €3 billion, approx. 13,000 employees
- FLSmidth Wuppertal GmbH, Wuppertal
- Pfaff Maschinenbau GmbH, Harzgerode
- FLSmidth spol. s.r.o., Brno/Czech Republic
Managing Partner
Hess Unternehmensberatung
Managing Director ad interim
WIBERA GmbH
Events & Catering
Managing Director
Legris GmbH
Subsidiary of Legris S.A., France. Legris is a manufacturer of push-in and screw fittings for fluid technology applications, sales of approx. €200 million, now part of the Parker Hannifin Group
Achievements:
- Sales growth of 80%
- Building a Tier 1 structure
- Restructuring the exclusive dealer structure
- Significant expansion of the distribution network
- Development and implementation of the European price list
- Development of the sales strategy and pricing policy
- Customers: Volkswagen Group (push-in fitting for fuel line / series production), IMA, MAN Roland, Heidelberger Druckmaschinen, Bosch
Head of Sales
Kugelfabrik Schulte GmbH & Co.
Manufacturer of wheels & castors as well as industrial balls, sales of approx. €28 million
Achievements:
- Sales growth of approx. 12%
- Reactivation of lost markets
- Internationalization of sales (Europe/Asia, especially Japan)
- Establishment of a sales company & partner in the USA and Japan
- Customers: Bosch, Siemens, Lear Corporation, Faurecia, MontBlanc, Rolex, ETA
Head of Sales/Marketing/Customer Service
Ingersoll-Rand Group
Publicly listed American industrial company, including manufacturer of industrial compressors, sales of approx. $13 billion, 60,000 employees
1989 – 1991 Ingersoll Rand Company Ltd., USA, Mayfield KY and Charlotte NC
Achievements:
- Development and sales of maintenance contracts
- Responsible trainer for TQM measures of the Ingersoll Rand Group
Customers: RAG, Bayer, DuPont, BASF, Ford, OMV, Böhler, ThyssenKrupp, Salzgitter, Saarstahl
Training NCO
Technische Schule der Luftwaffe
Training in mathematics, jet engines and physics
Machinist
International Harvester Company mbH
Training and qualification
Industry experience
See where this freelancer has spent most of their professional time.
Experienced in Manufacturing, Food and Beverage, Automotive, Banking and Finance, Metals and Mining, and Professional Services.
Business area experience
See which departments and functions this freelancer has contributed to most.
Experienced in Operations, Strategy, Sales, Product Development, Project Management, and Production.
Summary
Since 1996, as Managing Director and today as an Interim Executive, I have carried entrepreneurial responsibility for medium-sized industrial companies and international corporate structures. I am driven by my curiosity and by the conviction that sustainable business success comes from innovation, consistent execution, and the willingness to change.
Throughout my career, I have supported companies in nearly all stages of development – from company founding and international growth to post-merger integrations and production relocations, as well as restructurings and complex transformation programs.
Many years of international management and project experience in Europe, North America, and Asia – especially in China and India – have shaped my leadership style as much as working with different corporate cultures. I prefer to work in medium-sized, family-run industrial companies, where entrepreneurial thinking, pragmatism, and fast execution are key.
Skills
Management
- Managing Director > 25 Years
- Personnel Responsibility For Up To 1,300 Employees
- Revenue Responsibility > €150 Million
- Experience In Corporate Structures And Mid-Sized Companies
- Pmi / Integration Of Companies Into Corporate / Group Structures
- Member Of Advisory Board / Board Of Directors
- Cross-Functional Management Experience In Sales, Production, And Commercial Areas
- Restructuring
- M&A / Buy & Build
Industries
- Mechanical And Plant Engineering / Defence
- Process And Plant Automation
- Industrial Gates
- Automotive Industry
- Measurement And Testing Technology
- Cement, Steel Production, And Mining
International Experience
- Expansion Of International Markets With A Focus On China, The Middle East, India, North And South America
- International Business And Production Experience In Europe, China, India, North And South America, Including Site Setup, Production Relocation, Supplier Development, And Market Entry.
Methodological Skills
- Strong Negotiator And Confident Closer
- Analytical, Conceptual, And Overall Goal-Oriented Working Style
- Persuasive And Coaching In Dealing With Employees
Communication
- Communication Style Is Open, Clear, And Respectful
Personal Skills
- High Level Of Authenticity And Persuasiveness
- Entrepreneurial Thinker And Driver Of Impulses
- Strong Market And Customer Focus
- Sustainable And Holistic Thinker
Languages
Education
Allensbach University
ESUG and StaRUG Advisor · Business Administration
Training program for advisors to become experts in protective shield proceedings, self-administration, and StaRUG
The restructuring of companies using self-administration and protective shield proceedings is considered in business as a strategic option for companies in crisis. Since early 2021, the German legislator has created a way for companies through the Company Stabilization and Restructuring Act (StaRUG) to restructure outside insolvency using a legally defined restructuring procedure. During this process, the company must prepare a restructuring plan that includes all necessary financial measures as well as all important restructuring measures. The creditors must approve this plan with a majority of 75 percent. The entrepreneur actively shapes the restructuring process, and the creditors can contribute to the process. Companies should bring in an experienced restructuring advisor for support, who advises them on the complex issues involved in this restructuring path.
WWZ of the University
Master of Advanced Studies in Marketing · Marketing · Basel, Switzerland
University of Applied Sciences
Diplom Engineer (FH) · Aerospace Engineering · Aachen, Germany
Certifications & licenses
ESUG and StaRUG Advisor
Allensbach University
Qualification for advisory board & supervisory board mandates in mid-sized businesses
Beirat-BW e.V.
StaRUG (DIAI)
German Institute for Applied Insolvency Law e.V.
Marketing Manager (EBS)
EBS European Business School
Statistics
Experience
Global experience
Expertise
Qualifications
Profile
Frequently asked questions
Have questions? Find more information here.
Jakob is based in Wiesbaden, Germany and can operate in on-site, hybrid, and remote work models.
Jakob speaks the following languages: German (Native), English (Advanced), French (Advanced), Chinese (Elementary).
Jakob has at least 39 years of experience. During this time, Jakob has worked in at least 15 different roles and for 20 different companies. The average length of individual experience is 2 years and 11 months. Note that Jakob may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.
Based on recent experience, Jakob would be well-suited for roles such as: Chief Transformation Officer, Advisor to the Shareholder, Head of Sales ad interim.
Jakob's most recent position is Chief Transformation Officer at Engagement with an internationally active technology group.
In recent years, Jakob has worked for Engagement with an internationally active technology group, Rego Herlitzius GmbH, KOLBUS Group GmbH, DALEX Automation & Welding GmbH, and EuroPriSe Cert GmbH.
Jakob is most experienced in industries like Manufacturing, Food and Beverage, and Automotive. Jakob also has some experience in Banking and Finance, Metals and Mining, and Professional Services.
Jakob is most experienced in business areas like Operations, Strategy, and Sales. Jakob also has some experience in Product Development, Project Management, and Production.
Jakob has recently worked in industries like Manufacturing, Banking and Finance, and Professional Services.
Jakob has recently worked in business areas like Operations, Project Management, and Strategy.
Jakob holds a Master in Marketing from WWZ of the University and a Bachelor in Aerospace Engineering from University of Applied Sciences.
Jakob has 4 certificates. Among them, these include: ESUG and StaRUG Advisor, Qualification for advisory board & supervisory board mandates in mid-sized businesses, and StaRUG (DIAI).
Jakob is immediately available full-time for suitable projects.
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Calculated based on our freelancers’ daily rates as of 6 Sep 2026. Actual rates may vary depending on seniority level, experience, skill specialization, project complexity, and engagement length.
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