Kay Waidner - Change Manager, Project Manager, Process and Workflow Optimizer, Production Control and Supply Chain Manager

Q: Where is Kay based?

Kay is based in Neu-Ulm, Germany and can operate in on-site , hybrid , and remote work models.

Q: What languages does Kay speak?

Kay speaks the following languages: German (Native), English (Advanced) .

Q: How many years of experience does Kay have?

Kay has at least 26 years of experience. During this time, Kay has worked in at least 20 different roles and for 18 different companies . The average length of individual experience is 1 year and 4 months . Note that Kay may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.

Q: What is Kay's latest experience?

Kay's most recent position is Change Manager at Carl Zeiss AG .

Q: What companies has Kay worked for in recent years?

In recent years, Kay has worked for Carl Zeiss AG , Karl Wohllaib GmbH , and Daikin Manufacturing Germany GmbH .

Q: Which industries is Kay most experienced in?

Kay is most experienced in industries like Manufacturing , Automotive , and Healthcare . Kay also has some experience in Advertising , Construction , and Real Estate .

Q: Which business areas is Kay most experienced in?

Kay is most experienced in business areas like Procurement , Production , and Operations . Kay also has some experience in Supply Chain Management , Project Management , and Marketing .

Q: Which industries has Kay worked in recently?

Kay has recently worked in industries like Manufacturing .

Q: Which business areas has Kay worked in recently?

Kay has recently worked in business areas like Production , Product Development , and Operations .

Recommended expert

Neu-Ulm, Germany

Experience

Nov 2024 - Nov 2025

1 year 1 month

Change Manager

Carl Zeiss AG

Managed all changes during the transition from series development to prototyping

Jan 2023 - Nov 2023

11 months

Production Optimization Specialist

Karl Wohllaib GmbH

Analyzed processes and then optimized workflows and production
Recalculated product costs

Sep 2022 - Dec 2022

4 months

Production Controller

Daikin Manufacturing Germany GmbH

Controlled all production lines
Trained two new employees

Nov 2020 - Feb 2021

4 months

Process Optimizer

Alpin-Chemie GmbH

Analyzed production processes, inventories, and capacities
Presented and implemented optimizations

Dec 2018 - Aug 2019

9 months

Poysdorf, Austria

Head of Automotive Production (Production Relocation)

Gebauer & Griller Kabelwerk GmbH

Managed relocation to the Czech Republic during ongoing production
Minimized scrap costs

Jan 2018 - Aug 2018

8 months

Krailling, Germany

External Production Controller

Intel Corporation - Drone Group

Material planning and manufacturer coordination
Optimized logistics processes
Cleaned up the ERP system and closed the warehouse

Feb 2017 - Dec 2017

11 months

Krefeld, Germany

Project Specialist

PRIMAGAS Energie GmbH & Co. KG

Optimized logistics operations
Improved purchasing
Adjusted container management

Jan 2016 - Jun 2016

6 months

Neubiberg, Germany

Project Manager

Infineon Technologies AG

Managed three security-related projects

Mar 2014 - Dec 2015

1 year 10 months

Neu-Ulm, Germany

Home Buyer and Renovator

Own Project

Jan 2011 - Dec 2014

4 years

Neu-Ulm, Germany

Consultant for Procurement Optimization and Organization

Augenlaserzentrum Neu-Ulm

Optimized procurement of consumables and capital goods
Improved process workflows

Aug 2005 - Dec 2010

5 years 5 months

Ulm, Germany

Plant Supervisor, Industrial Engineer and Project Manager

Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbH

Planning and managing complex process engineering projects, e.g. production relocations
Price negotiations with external plants
Team leadership
Analysis and evaluation of internal manufacturing processes to identify cost-saving potentials and executing an internal production relocation with significant company-specific gains
Planning, managing, and monitoring the transfer of various OEM products from internal and external production sites, meeting schedule and quality requirements while minimizing leftover materials and effort costs

Jul 2001 - Jul 2005

4 years 1 month

Ulm, Germany

Plant Supervisor and Industrial Engineer

TEMIC Telefunken microelectronic GmbH

Planning and overseeing pilot phases and product launches
Implementation of changes in series production
Verification and definition of standards
Strategic series support
Price negotiations with external plants
Team leadership
Independently managing and monitoring external production according to external company guidelines
Coordinating and resolving critical material shortages at internal and external production sites through cross-site material exchanges and special procurement measures

Jan 2000 - Jan 2001

1 year 1 month

Erbach im Odenwald, Germany

Deputy Managing Director

Hödlmayr Logistics Germany GmbH

Budget planning and preparation
Reporting to the company's board of directors
Development of strategic corporate concepts
Assuming management responsibilities and restructuring the GmbH
Leadership responsibility for 130 employees
Managing a tax audit
Optimizing financial controlling
Restructuring the German site, resulting in significant savings for the group

Jul 1998 - Dec 1999

1 year 6 months

Berlin, Germany

Head of Logistics & Materials Management and Head of Production Control

Formac Elektronik GmbH

Coordinating and optimizing the logistics chain
Demand and production planning
Coordinating external manufacturers across Europe
Monitoring supplier compliance with contracts
Price negotiations with logistics service providers
Team leadership
Implementing new logistics concepts in collaboration with freight forwarders
Introducing a new scanner and barcode solution
Redesigning collaboration between sales and materials management

Feb 1998 - Jun 1998

5 months

Study and Service Consultant

CWS-Deutschland GmbH

Creating a study to improve the product and service area

Apr 1997 - Jan 1998

10 months

Tönisvorst, Germany

Assistant to the Sales Manager

Hoppe Holzwerkstoffe GmbH

New customer acquisition
Project management for trade shows
Marketing strategy
Competitor analysis and statistics
Acquiring new customers
Building a sales structure
Implementing product training for customers

Jan 1997 - Mar 1997

3 months

Fürth, Germany

Logistics and Planning Intern

Henschke GmbH

Freight forwarding arrangements, warehouse planning and management
Shipment tracking, offer preparation, billing and auditing
Statistical analysis of goods movement and customer support

Oct 1994 - Dec 1996

2 years 3 months

Independent Service Provider

CWS-Deutschland GmbH

Refurbishment and repair of products as an independent contractor

Aug 1994 - Mar 1997

2 years 8 months

Berlin, Germany

Founder and Creative Promotion Consultant

Reinicke und Partner

Jul 1993 - Sep 1993

3 months

Berlin, Germany

Customer Service and Route Planner

CWS-Deutschland GmbH

Customer service and route planning
Evaluation and statistical reporting

Industry Experience

See where this freelancer has spent most of their professional time.

Experienced in Manufacturing, Automotive, Healthcare, Advertising, Construction, and Real Estate.

Manufacturing

Automotive

Healthcare

Advertising

Construction

Real Estate

Business Area Experience

See which departments and functions this freelancer has contributed to most.

Experienced in Procurement, Production, Operations, Supply Chain Management, Project Management, and Marketing.

Procurement

Production

Operations

Supply Chain Management

Project Management

Marketing

Skills

Sap S/4 Hana And Baan
Microsoft Dynamics Nav
Ms-office
Ms Project, Ms Access, Visio
Various Graphics Programs

Languages

German

Native

English

Advanced

Education

Mar 1992 - Nov 1995

Berlin University of Applied Sciences for Business

Diploma in Business Administration (FH) · Business Administration · Berlin, Germany

Oct 1987 - Feb 1992

Technical University of Berlin

Energy and Process Engineering · Berlin, Germany

Mar 1984 - May 1987

Frankfurt am Main High School

Abitur (German high school diploma) · Frankfurt, Germany

Statistics

Experience

Total positions 20

Experience in Manufacturing 12 y

Avg length 1 y 5 m

Longest experience 5 y 4 m

Global Experience

Countries worked in 2 (Germany, Austria)

Primary country Germany

Expertise

Recent roles Change Manager, Production Optimization Specialist, Production Controller

Main industries Manufacturing, Automotive, Healthcare

Main business areas Procurement, Production, Operations

Qualifications

Profile

Created

January 2026

Need a freelancer? Find your match in seconds.

Try FRATCH GPT

Frequently asked questions

Do you have questions? Here you can find further information.

Where is Kay based?

Kay is based in Neu-Ulm, Germany and can operate in on-site, hybrid, and remote work models.

What languages does Kay speak?

Kay speaks the following languages: German (Native), English (Advanced).

How many years of experience does Kay have?

Kay has at least 26 years of experience. During this time, Kay has worked in at least 20 different roles and for 18 different companies. The average length of individual experience is 1 year and 4 months. Note that Kay may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.

What roles would Kay be best suited for?

Based on recent experience, Kay would be well-suited for roles such as: Change Manager, Production Optimization Specialist, Production Controller.

What is Kay's latest experience?

Kay's most recent position is Change Manager at Carl Zeiss AG.

What companies has Kay worked for in recent years?

In recent years, Kay has worked for Carl Zeiss AG, Karl Wohllaib GmbH, and Daikin Manufacturing Germany GmbH.

Which industries is Kay most experienced in?

Kay is most experienced in industries like Manufacturing, Automotive, and Healthcare. Kay also has some experience in Advertising, Construction, and Real Estate.

Which business areas is Kay most experienced in?

Kay is most experienced in business areas like Procurement, Production, and Operations. Kay also has some experience in Supply Chain Management, Project Management, and Marketing.