Roland Hovestadt - CEO for Recycling and Circularity

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Karlsruhe, Germany

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Experience

Oct 2023 - May 2024

8 months

CEO

SOEX Group (& I:CO)

Got a misguided restructuring back on track
Successfully created positive momentum by motivating, inspiring, and encouraging employees to stay committed during this difficult phase
Developed a solid strategy concept and created a 5-year roadmap from it
End-to-end, AI-supported digitalization of collection logistics processes, which led to optimized operations and a significant increase in efficiency
Designed a complex technical concept for automated, AI-supported textile sorting on an industrial scale
Implemented efficient structures and established clear communication channels, which helped improve team coordination and clearly define responsibilities
Strategic development and successful implementation of a dynamic sales structure, which, through proactive leadership and targeted talent development, led to higher sales momentum and employee motivation
Created tailored concepts for international retailers, fashion brands, producers, and wholesalers (pre-/post-consumer textiles) as a key part of the new strategic direction
Initiated and maintained partnerships between industry and research to advance the shared goal of “Circularity in Textile” with recognized expertise
Targeted reduction of the investment backlog through modernization and optimization of machinery and plant technology, which led to a significant increase in operational productivity

Mar 2023 - Sep 2023

7 months

Head of National and International Hazardous Waste Disposal

Willersinn Group

Simplified and established processes and structures for greater flexibility, efficiency, and productivity, while maintaining a solution-oriented customer focus
Optimized and modernized machinery and plant technology according to needs
Conducted extensive employee training and team-building measures in order to meet growing demands and revenue with greater flexibility and solid employee know-how

Apr 2019 - Feb 2023

3 years 11 months

Managing Director

WHG Rahn GmbH

Restructuring: developed and implemented a roadmap with clearly defined goals for a structural, digital, and personnel transformation, with a focus on uncompromising quality and employee capital
Consistently implemented internal structures and processes with the goal of higher work and cost efficiency and productivity
Strong focus on employee development: seminars, workshops, and individual coaching
Implemented an integrated ERP software solution, including setup and training, with the goal of fully digital support for all processes
Installed BIM-capable software for planning services and construction-related designs
Used social media in a targeted way as a tool for promoting young talent, employee retention, and company branding
Built a broad network to strengthen and further develop market positioning as well as a strategic business partner network to unlock a wide range of synergies and performance capabilities
1st place in the state-wide HWK competition “Azubi Innovativ”
Successful entry into the prefabrication of shaft and corridor boxes according to BIM
2020 M&A: acquired a climate/refrigeration technology company as an ideal addition to the portfolio

Aug 2018 - Mar 2019

8 months

Site Manager Airbus Kit Factory

DB Schenker/Airbus Hamburg

Significantly increased productivity and efficiency through fundamental layout optimization and the implementation of an integrated MDT/IT solution
Carried out extensive test runs and training programs during the rollout, which helped increase user competence, optimize system use, and ensure a smooth system transition

Dec 2017 - Nov 2018

1 year

Consulting Project Manager Tool Technology

Großring Cutting and Separation Technology

Further developed a cutting system for large rings (up to 6 m) from a technical point of view
Technologically designed and developed a mobile plant concept
Created a business plan including an international market analysis and sales concept

Nov 2015 - May 2017

1 year 7 months

Sole Managing Director

SRP Saarländische Rohprodukte GmbH

Developed a viable, all-round restructuring concept for four sites with a clearly defined strategy and roadmap
Analyzed the cost structure in detail to identify optimization potential
Built a lean, flexible sales concept and integrated it into a CRM system, achieving close customer and market proximity in practice
Implemented Operational Excellence (LEAN and KPIs) to ensure efficient, sustainable delivery of high quality standards with strong cost efficiency in production and supply chain
Introduced structured, disciplined planning and control of operational processes, increased efficiency, and reduced the existing investment backlog
Improved operating result by €1.5 million in 2016
Developed a new plant concept to increase value creation depth
Acquired and integrated a niche provider as the ideal addition to the service and product portfolio

Feb 2015 - Jun 2015

5 months

Project Manager Cu semi-finished products and electrotechnical products

Halbzeug-Industrie

Introduced standardization and automation of demanding welding technology to optimize production in a holistic way

Jun 2014 - Oct 2015

1 year 5 months

Consulting Project Manager for site concepts

Recycling Industrie International

Developed process- and cost-optimized production layouts in the UK, NL, Germany and Poland, taking environmental requirements and energy efficiency into account
Identified and realized value creation potential in plant and process technology
Reduced operating costs by up to 23%

Mar 2014 - Aug 2014

6 months

Project Manager

Metall- und Rohstoffhandel Monaco

Developed a sustainable production and sales concept to expand the value chain in international B2B trading
Created a business plan with revenue growth of €10 million in the first fiscal year and €25 million in the second fiscal year
Defined M&A targets, carried out market and potential analysis, and created and coordinated the due diligence checklist

Nov 2013 - Oct 2015

2 years

Mill Services test smelting monitoring

Rohstoffindustrie International

Supervised and evaluated test smeltings in steel plants and foundries in Germany, Belgium, Spain, Finland and the UK

Oct 2013 - Oct 2015

2 years 1 month

International Consultant Supply Chain

Edelstahlwerke International

Optimized raw material management at European and Indian stainless steel mills and foundries
Supported and further developed quality inspections
Defined quality parameters and created supplier matrices
Conducted employee training in operational management

Dec 2011 - Mar 2013

1 year 4 months

Member of the Management Board

Cronimet Hispania S.A.

Set up and developed a JV with an operating plant as the operational entry into the Spanish market
Increased local utilization of production capacity to > 60% in the first year

Jun 2011 - Sep 2013

2 years 4 months

Head of Business Development and Head of Technology

Cronimet Holding GmbH

Interim responsibility for P&L for 17 production sites in 12 countries and realized optimization potential
Reorganized the distribution of material and raw material flows from over 50 locations and optimized them under defined cost and quality parameters
Built international cross-functional project teams and fixed gaps in quality and operational management
Developed and implemented a roadmap for strategic expansion in Asia
Responsible for five M&A and JV projects worldwide, including due diligence and integration
Negotiated long-term supply contracts with an Indian stainless steel mill (revenue > $200 million/year)
Achieved a turnaround of the UK subsidiary with > 100% revenue growth across 3 plants and 60 employees
Projected lifecycle concepts with OEMs (BMW, Daimler, VW, Ford)
Realized annual savings potential of > $10 million in group-wide logistics
Led key technical improvements to machines, plants, and processes
Realized investment savings of $8.5 million over two years
Co-developed the prototype of a laser-induced sorting technology (LIPS) and a quick-change system (BQC)

Jun 2004 - May 2009

5 years

Managing Director and COO

JSP (Japanese Stainless Processing)

Took over operational and business responsibility for three plants and ensured the highest quality standards worldwide
Advised and trained the purchasing team in developing the Japanese raw material market
Achieved capacity expansion and continuous revenue growth of the JV to over $600 million
Responsible for start-ups of three production sites in Japan

Jan 1999 - May 2011

12 years 5 months

Head of Special Projects Business Turnaround

ELG Haniel Metals, Corp.

Led the business turnaround of a loss-making US division with nine production sites and turned it into an operating profit of $20–40 million
Reorganized buying and selling structures to strengthen efficiency and market presence
Led final negotiations on supply contracts with stainless steel mills in North America and Asia
Managed M&A projects from target company valuation through due diligence to PMI
Continuously applied LEAN, Kaizen, and 5S methods
Resolved quality and contract disputes worth $16 million in a lasting way
Implemented energy efficiency measures and achieved 35% savings

Oct 1997 - Dec 1998

1 year 3 months

Head of Special Projects

ELG Haniel GmbH

Initiated and led R&D projects with industry partners: implemented modifications to technical machines and equipment to improve ease of maintenance, durability, productivity, and energy efficiency
Planned the layout and setup of new production facilities in Europe and the USA
Conceptualized and built the largest raw material processing and port handling site for stainless steels (600,000 t/year) in Rotterdam, NL
Contributed scientifically to the development of a mobile metal analysis device

Industry Experience

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

Experienced in Metals and Mining, Manufacturing, Construction, Fashion, Transportation, and Utilities.

Metals and Mining

Manufacturing

Construction

Fashion

Transportation

Utilities

Business Area Experience

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

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

Operations

Supply Chain Management

Strategy

Production

Project Management

Procurement

Summary

Management responsibility for production, engineering, and sales across the value and circular chain, from raw material/process industries through the steel/metal industry to recycling and related special machinery and plant engineering
Responsibility for the profitable development and transformation of global business activities in production-based companies in the steel, automotive, and aerospace industries
Strategy development and implementation of business concepts on sustainability, e.g. in the recycling, automotive, aerospace, and construction industries
International sales leadership and P&L responsibility in the raw material and metal industry, with close contact to steel mills and foundries
Operational management of international production sites with P&L responsibility for revenues of more than $600 million under strict productivity, cost efficiency, and quality targets
Proven international success in Operational Excellence in the context of restructurings, business turnarounds, and the setup and expansion of subsidiaries, including long-term assignments in the USA and Japan
Strong technical and sales expertise as well as creativity in the strategic setup and expansion of global sales markets through a strong customer focus and targeted, innovative product and process development

Languages

German

Native

English

Advanced

Spanish

Intermediate

French

Intermediate

Japanese

Intermediate

Education

Oct 1990 - May 1997

RWTH Aachen

Diplom Engineer in Materials Science · Metallurgy & Materials Engineering · Aachen, Germany

Aug 1988 - May 1990

Degussa AG and IHK

Training as an industrial clerk · Industrial clerk · Frankfurt, Germany

Jul 1986 - Jun 1988

Bundeswehr, Z2 Technical School of the Army for Technology

Explosive ordnance disposal · Aachen, Germany

...and 1 more

Statistics

Experience

Total positions 16

Experience in Metals and Mining 18 y

Avg length 2 y 3 m

Longest experience 12 y 4 m

Expertise

Recent roles CEO, Head of National and International Hazardous Waste Disposal, Managing Director

Main industries Metals and Mining, Manufacturing, Construction

Main business areas Operations, Supply Chain Management, Strategy

Qualifications

Highest degree Master

Profile

Created

February 2025

Last Update

August 2026

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Frequently asked questions

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Roland is based in Karlsruhe, Germany and can operate in on-site, hybrid, and remote work models.

Roland speaks the following languages: German (Native), English (Advanced), Spanish (Intermediate), French (Intermediate), Japanese (Intermediate).

Roland has at least 26 years of experience. During this time, Roland has worked in at least 16 different roles and for 16 different companies. The average length of individual experience is 2 years and 8 months. Note that Roland may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.

Based on recent experience, Roland would be well-suited for roles such as: CEO, Head of National and International Hazardous Waste Disposal, Managing Director.

Roland's most recent position is CEO at SOEX Group (& I:CO).

In recent years, Roland has worked for SOEX Group (& I:CO), Willersinn Group, and WHG Rahn GmbH.

Roland is most experienced in industries like Metals and Mining, Manufacturing, and Construction. Roland also has some experience in Fashion, Transportation, and Aerospace and Defense.

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

Roland has recently worked in industries like Construction, Fashion, and Transportation.

Roland has recently worked in business areas like Operations, Human Resources, and Information Technology.

Roland holds a Master in Metallurgy & Materials Engineering from RWTH Aachen.

Roland is immediately available full-time for suitable projects.

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Actual rates may vary depending on seniority level, experience, skill specialization, project complexity, and engagement length.

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Daily rate avg. 810 €

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Median rate 820 €

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Actual rates may vary depending on seniority level, experience, skill specialization, project complexity, and engagement length.