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Michael S.-Entrepreneur · Interim Manager · Project Manager · Transformation Consultant · Restructuring · M&A / PMI · Operations · complex

Michael S.
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Available
Germany

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Experience

Jan 2026 - Present

Project Manager – Transformation / Site Strategy / Production Structure

Position summary
Project Manager – Transformation / Site Strategy / Production Structure
Industries
Manufacturing
Business areas
Production
Project Management
  • Preparation of a multi-stage operational transformation and potential production migration following an acquisition in a family office environment. Development of alternative migration approaches, future production, material flow and infrastructure concepts, as well as assessment of capacity, automation, approval and time constraints.
Jan 2025 - Dec 2025

Co-Project Manager – Restructuring / Site Closure

Position summary
Co-Project Manager – Restructuring / Site Closure
Industries
Food and Beverage
Manufacturing
Business areas
Logistics
Production
Project Management
  • Co-management of the orderly closure of a production site within a mid-sized corporate group. Management of production phase-out and transition processes, safeguarding delivery capability, and coordination of critical interfaces in production and logistics.
Jan 2024 - Dec 2025

Project Manager – Distressed M&A / Acquisition out of Insolvency

Position summary
Project Manager – Distressed M&A / Acquisition out of Insolvency
Industries
Food and Beverage
Business areas
Finance
Investments and M&A
Project Management
  • Project management on the buyer side as part of insolvency proceedings. Assessment of going-concern and liquidation values, integrated capital and liquidity requirements planning, preparation and negotiation of Non-Binding and Binding Offers, negotiation of the financial transaction parameters, and structuring of the acquisition through Signing and Closing. Subsequently, support of the initial Post-Merger Integration.
Jan 2023 - Dec 2023

Interim CRO – Restructuring / Turnaround

Position summary
Interim CRO – Restructuring / Turnaround
Industries
Food and Beverage
Manufacturing
Business areas
Strategy
  • Turnaround of a loss-making production company within an international corporate group. Analysis of the causes of losses, short-term stabilization, restructuring planning in accordance with IDW S6, and development of a positive going-concern forecast. Restructuring of critical management and governance structures, as well as advising the parent company on operational and organizational realignment.
Jan 2022 - Dec 2023

Project Manager – Production Relocation / Operations Transformation

Position summary
Project Manager – Production Relocation / Operations Transformation
Industries
Food and Beverage
Business areas
Logistics
Operations
Production
Project Management
  • Development and implementation of a time-critical production and site transformation while maintaining delivery capability. Analysis of value streams, production processes, microbiology and logistics; development of alternative site concepts and management of construction, building services engineering, logistics, testing, validation and commissioning.
Jan 2021 - Dec 2022

Project Manager – Crisis Management / Production Site

Position summary
Project Manager – Crisis Management / Production Site
Industries
Food and Beverage
Business areas
Procurement
Production
Project Management
  • Project management following a major fire at the main plant. Procurement and commissioning of an alternative site, securing the ability to deliver, co-project management of the rebuilding, construction scheduling and crisis management, as well as relocating production back.
Jan 2021 - Dec 2021

Project Manager – M&A / Acquisition Project

Position summary
Project Manager – M&A / Acquisition Project
Industries
Food and Beverage
Manufacturing
Business areas
Finance
Investments and M&A
Project Management
  • Buy-side project management for the planned acquisition of a production company. Strategic and financial analysis, assessment of the site, capacities and synergies, independent negotiation management including contract negotiations, as well as development of integration and growth perspectives. The transaction was not completed at the final stage because the contract was awarded to a competitor.
Jan 2020 - Dec 2021

Project Manager – Profitability Analysis / BI / Transformation

Position summary
Project Manager – Profitability Analysis / BI / Transformation
Industries
Food and Beverage
Business areas
Business Intelligence
Finance
Project Management
  • Profitability analysis, support in setting up a BI system, analysis of investments and partnerships, as well as development of an integration concept for the regional business and investments.
Jan 2019 - Dec 2020

Project Manager – Investment and Transformation Planning

Position summary
Project Manager – Investment and Transformation Planning
Industries
Food and Beverage
Business areas
Business Intelligence
Finance
Project Management
  • Analysis of ERP, production and logistics data; development of Capex-/Opex- and KPI scenarios. Development of an in-house simulation-based model for a full year's sales including all SKUs to assess Greenfield, Brownfield, warehouse and production options. Replanning following a fundamental change in market conditions due to COVID-19.
Jan 2017 - Dec 2019

Project Manager – Strategy / Production Expansion / Brownfield

Position summary
Project Manager – Strategy / Production Expansion / Brownfield
Industries
Food and Beverage
Manufacturing
Business areas
Procurement
Project Management
Strategy
  • Strategic analysis and market positioning of a production site; comparison of Greenfield and Brownfield scenarios and preparation of the investment decision. Subsequently, planning and management of the selected Brownfield expansion during ongoing operations, doubling production capacity. Overall project planning and cost planning, tendering and awarding of contracts, management and monitoring of implementation, acceptance, as well as continuous adjustment of the plan to actual project development.
Jan 2016 - Dec 2016

Interim COO – Crisis Management / Restructuring

Position summary
Interim COO – Crisis Management / Restructuring
Industries
Food and Beverage
Business areas
Operations
Quality Assurance
  • Stabilization following a management crisis and a failed IFS audit. Introduction of a certification-ready quality management system and successful follow-up audit at Higher Level; subsequently assumed overall responsibility as Interim COO, restructuring of commercial and operational processes, and resolution of critical governance and shareholder structures.
Jan 2015 - Dec 2015

Project Manager – M&A / Company Sale

Position summary
Project Manager – M&A / Company Sale
Industries
Information Technology
Business areas
Finance
Investments and M&A
Project Management
  • Project management on the seller side: company analysis and valuation, structuring of the sales process, vendor due diligence, review of potential buyers, independent contract negotiations, and support of the post-merger integration. The transaction was successfully completed.
Jan 2007 - Present

Management Consultant / Interim Manager

Position summary
Management Consultant / Interim Manager
Industries
Information Technology
Telecommunication
Business areas
Finance
Information Technology
Operations
Project Management

Independent management consulting, project management, and interim management in complex decision-making, change, and crisis situations.

Mandates in transformation, restructuring and turnaround, M&A, due diligence and post-merger integration, operations and finance, as well as technology and infrastructure projects.

Analysis and structuring of complex business situations, quantification of relevant influencing factors, and development of courses of action, business cases, scenarios, and proprietary analysis and simulation models.

Management of complex transformation, site, investment, and production projects from analysis and concept development through operational implementation.

Project management for company acquisitions and sales, including valuation, due diligence, transaction structuring, negotiation, signing and closing, as well as post-merger integration.

Restructuring and stabilization of companies in crisis and special situations, including liquidity, ability to continue operations, governance, and organizational restructuring.

Assumption of operational management responsibility in interim mandates, including as CEO, COO, CFO, and CRO.

Many years of experience at the interface of corporate management, operations, finance, and technology, particularly in the internet, telecommunications, data center, and digital business model sectors. Development and use of AI-supported analysis and work processes, as well as integration of AI APIs into proprietary tools and applications.

Apr 2002 - Oct 2002

Interim CFO

Position summary
Interim CFO
Industries
Manufacturing
Business areas
Finance

Financial and restructuring responsibility as Interim CFO of an optoelectronic semiconductor manufacturer in a critical corporate situation. Management of the financial and liquidity situation, as well as ongoing negotiations with creditors and other stakeholders to stabilize the company and prevent insolvency.

Jan 2002 - Dec 2024

Chairman of the Executive Board / Co-founder

Position summary
Chairman of the Executive Board / Co-founder
Industries
Professional Services
Business areas
Strategy

Identification of partners, co-founding and development of Anwalt.de Services AG, and assumption of the position of Chairman of the Executive Board. Development and implementation of the business concept and establishment of the required partner and corporate structure for an internet-based business model in the legal market.

Jan 1999 - May 2001

Interim CEO

Position summary
Interim CEO
Industries
Information Technology
Business areas
Information Technology
Project Management

Established and led a German-American technology joint venture as Interim CEO. Acquired an existing industrial property and transformed it into what was at the time the largest high-availability data center in continental Europe, with around 10,000 m² of net floor space and Level 3+ availability standard. Overall responsibility for company formation and project development, including site, technical design and implementation, as well as management of the German and American partners.

Jul 1995 - Dec 2008

Internet Regulation & Youth Media Protection – Self-Regulation / Consulting

Position summary
Internet Regulation & Youth Media Protection – Self-Regulation / Consulting
Industries
Information Technology
Government and Administration
Business areas
Audit
Information Technology
Legal

Established and further developed structures for Internet self-regulation within the framework of FSM; subsequently advised the Federal Government and the Commission for the Protection of Minors in the Media (KJM) on technical and regulatory Internet issues. Examined and assessed technical and organizational youth media protection systems, developed alternative technical solutions and conducted technical system audits. Worked for many years at the intersection of Internet technology, law and regulation.

Jan 1995 - Dec 2002

Internet Industry – Association Building / Leadership / Regulation & Governance

Position summary
Internet Industry – Association Building / Leadership / Regulation & Governance
Industries
Information Technology
Business areas
Information Technology

Established and led advocacy organizations for the Internet industry at German and European level. Initially involved in building eco, later served on its board and as Chair; contributed to the establishment of EuroISPA and subsequently served there as Vice President and President. Represented the Internet industry vis-à-vis policymakers, regulatory authorities and European institutions. International Internet governance: represented eco and EuroISPA on the Steering Committee of the ICANN founding process, subsequently served on the ICANN Names Council and, during the initial phase, chaired the Internet Service Providers and Connectivity Providers Constituency (ISPCP).

Jan 1994 - Jun 1996

Division Manager – Value-Added Services

Position summary
Division Manager – Value-Added Services
Industries
Telecommunication
Business areas
Marketing
Product Development

Group-wide cross-functional responsibility for value-added services – all services and applications above the technical network infrastructure. Responsibility across the entire value chain, from technical development and implementation through operations to marketing and technical sales support.

Jul 1991 - Jun 1994

Co-founder and Executive Management – Internet Service Provider

Position summary
Co-founder and Executive Management – Internet Service Provider
Industries
Information Technology
Telecommunication
Business areas
Information Technology
Operations
Strategy

Co-founder of one of the first commercial Internet Service Providers in Germany. Established the company and its technical and operational structures during the early phase of the commercial Internet; at times achieved a market share of over 75 %. Member of the executive management team with responsibility for business development and operational leadership.

Jul 1983 - Dec 1988

Research Associate – AI / Legal Expert Systems

Position summary
Research Associate – AI / Legal Expert Systems
Industries
Information Technology
Business areas
Information Technology
Product Development
Research and Development

Work at GMD on early internet and AI topics. Development of a legal expert system in a programming language based on a LISP dialect.

Industry experience

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

Experienced in Information Technology, Telecommunication, Professional Services, Government and Administration, Food and Beverage, and Manufacturing.

Information Technology
Telecommunication
Professional Services
Government and Administration
Food and Beverage
Manufacturing
Profile match chart

Business area experience

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

Experienced in Information Technology, Strategy, Operations, Project Management, Finance, and Audit.

Information Technology
Strategy
Operations
Project Management
Finance
Audit
Profile match chart

Summary

Entrepreneur, interim manager and consultant with many years of experience in challenging business situations. I take on assignments where it is first necessary to clarify what the actual problem is, what options for action exist and how a sustainable solution can be implemented.

My projects range from restructuring and turnarounds to M&A and post-merger integration, as well as production relocations, site and investment decisions, and operational transformation projects. I combine analysis and modeling with practical implementation – both as a project manager and in management roles as CEO, COO or CFO.

My professional background includes corporate management, operations and finance, as well as technology and legal training. This breadth is particularly useful where business, operational, technical and organizational issues cannot be solved separately.

Skills

  • Transformation
  • Restructuring & Turnaround
  • M&A / Due Diligence / Pmi
  • Operations & Production
  • Site & Production Projects
  • Investment Planning & Business Cases
  • Crisis Management
  • Program & Project Management
  • Governance
  • Business Analysis & Modeling
  • Technology & Ai

Languages

German
Native
English
Advanced

Education

Universität Bonn

Erstes und Zweites Staatsexamen · Rechtswissenschaften · Bonn, Germany

FernUniversität in Hagen

Informatik · Hagen, Germany

Statistics

Experience

Total positions 21
Experience in Information Technology 40 y
Avg length 4 y 6 m
Longest experience 22 y 11 m

Expertise

Recent roles Project Manager – Transformation / Site Strategy / Production Structure, Co-Project Manager – Restructuring / Site Closure, Project Manager – Distressed M&A / Acquisition out of Insolvency
Main industries Information Technology, Telecommunication, Professional Services
Main business areas Information Technology, Strategy, Operations

Qualifications

Highest degree Master

Profile

Member since
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Frequently asked questions

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

Michael has at least 41 years of experience. During this time, Michael has worked in at least 21 different roles. The average length of individual experience is 2 years and 11 months. Note that Michael may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.

Based on recent experience, Michael would be well-suited for roles such as: Project Manager – Transformation / Site Strategy / Production Structure, Co-Project Manager – Restructuring / Site Closure, Project Manager – Distressed M&A / Acquisition out of Insolvency.

Michael's most recent position is Project Manager – Transformation / Site Strategy / Production Structure.

Michael is most experienced in industries like Information Technology, Telecommunication, and Professional Services. Michael also has some experience in Government and Administration, Food and Beverage, and Manufacturing.

Michael is most experienced in business areas like Information Technology, Strategy, and Operations. Michael also has some experience in Project Management, Finance, and Audit.

Michael has recently worked in industries like Professional Services, Information Technology, and Telecommunication.

Michael has recently worked in business areas like Strategy, Project Management, and Finance.

Michael holds a Master in Rechtswissenschaften from Universität Bonn.

Michael is immediately available full-time for suitable projects.