Sebastian Hess - Bottleneck Management

Q: Where is Sebastian based?

Sebastian is based in Menden (Sauerland), Germany and can operate in on-site , hybrid , and remote work models.

Q: What languages does Sebastian speak?

Sebastian speaks the following languages: German (Native), English (Advanced), Romanian (Advanced), French (Elementary) .

Q: How many years of experience does Sebastian have?

Sebastian has at least 31 years of experience. During this time, Sebastian has worked in at least 17 different roles and for 17 different companies . The average length of individual experience is 1 year and 2 months . Note that Sebastian may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.

Q: What is Sebastian's latest experience?

Sebastian's most recent position is Bottleneck Management at WKW Hungaria Kft .

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

In recent years, Sebastian has worked for WKW Hungaria Kft , S.M.A. Metalltechnikverwaltungs GmbH , Emerson Automation Solution , HTE , and Independent Interim Manager .

Q: Which industries is Sebastian most experienced in?

Sebastian is most experienced in industries like Manufacturing , Automotive , and Professional Services . Sebastian also has some experience in Chemical and Food and Beverage .

Q: Which business areas is Sebastian most experienced in?

Sebastian is most experienced in business areas like Project Management , Sales , and Strategy . Sebastian also has some experience in Operations , Production , and Quality Assurance .

Q: Which industries has Sebastian worked in recently?

Sebastian has recently worked in industries like Manufacturing , Professional Services , and Automotive .

Q: Which business areas has Sebastian worked in recently?

Sebastian has recently worked in business areas like Operations , Project Management , and Strategy .

Recommended expert

Menden (Sauerland), Germany

Experience

Apr 2023 - Present

3 years

Hungary

Bottleneck Management

WKW Hungaria Kft

Bottleneck and crisis management in the production environment.
Support in quality-related issues.
Production tracking and production organization.
Preparation and execution of management meetings with the customer Mercedes-Benz.
Daily conference calls with Mercedes scheduling teams at three different locations.

Feb 2023 - Nov 2024

1 year 10 months

Head of Business Unit

S.M.A. Metalltechnikverwaltungs GmbH

Head of Business Unit for the VW Group during an ongoing insolvency.
Responsibility for sales activities during the insolvency phase.
Handling daily business including negotiations and receivables management.
Close cooperation with and support of the insolvency administrators.
Ensuring communication with customers and internal stakeholders during the restructuring.

Jul 2019 - Feb 2023

3 years 8 months

Sales and Project Management

Emerson Automation Solution

Sales and project management for plastic bonding systems.
Support for laser, infrared, vibration and ultrasonic bonding equipment.
Planning and controlling projects from the inquiry to handover to the customer.
Technical clarification, preparing quotations and negotiating with customers.
Ensuring deadlines, costs and quality in the project process.

Jul 2018 - Jun 2019

1 year

Key Account Manager

Isringhausen GmbH & Co. KG

Key account management in the VS30 project for the customer Daimler.
Responsible for seat sales.
Preparing quotations and conducting price and terms negotiations.
Reporting to management and coordinating with internal departments.
Handling prototype orders and coordinating sample approvals.

Aug 2017 - Nov 2017

4 months

Project Manager

Paragon AG

Project management in the rear wing project for the customer Bentley.
Responsibility for deadlines, costs and quality.
Regular reporting to senior management.
Technical and commercial communication with the customer.
Ensuring project goals in a premium-focused environment.

May 2016 - Apr 2017

1 year

Key Account Manager

Isringhausen GmbH & Co. KG

Key account management in the VS30 project for the client Daimler.
Sales of seats and responsible for customer support.
Creating offers, price negotiations, and reporting.
Handling sample orders and coordinating sampling processes.
Coordination with development, production, and quality to ensure customer satisfaction.

Feb 2015 - Apr 2016

1 year 3 months

Dublin, Ireland

Sales

HTE Engineering Services Ltd.

Sales of the PulseStaker process for northern Germany.
Responsible for targeted expansion of the customer base.
Preparing offers and technical development of solutions.
Conducting presentations and technical meetings with customers.
Acquiring new projects and maintaining existing customer relationships.

Aug 2014 - Feb 2015

7 months

Lippstadt, Germany

Sales

Hella KG Hueck & Co.

Responsible sales engineer for the client VW.
Support of the products Kessy control units, trailer control units, door handle electronics, and Kessy antennas.
Creating offers and acquiring new orders.
Conducting negotiations with the client.
Bottleneck management, reporting, and handling sample orders.

Apr 2014 - Sep 2014

6 months

Project Manager

ITZ GmbH / Trilux

Responsible project manager for seven LED lighting projects.
Responsible for deadlines, costs, and quality in all projects.
Reporting to management.
Coordinating internal interfaces and external partners.
Ensuring a smooth project flow from development to implementation.

Nov 2013 - Apr 2014

6 months

Department Manager / Head of Corporate Project Management

KHS GmbH

Head of Corporate Project Management for Europe and America with 27 project managers.
Leading, structuring, and organizing existing staff, projects, and workflows.
Cross-location coordination between Germany, Brazil, and the USA.
De-escalation in crisis situations and conducting customer meetings.
Reporting to the KHS management level.
Employee reviews as well as hiring new staff and project managers.

May 2013 - Oct 2013

6 months

Lippstadt, Germany

Project Manager

Hella KG Hueck & Co.

Responsible Project Manager to secure the SOP for level control sensors at the production site in Romania for the customer PSA.
Managing measures to ensure quality, cost and schedule.
Preparing proposals in parallel for Audi and Daimler.
Involvement and coordination of Hella sites in Mexico, Romania and Germany.
Close customer contact and reporting on project status and risks.

Jul 2011 - May 2013

1 year 11 months

Lippstadt, Germany

Project Manager

Hella KG Hueck & Co.

Responsible Project Manager for converting the brake booster vacuum pump to new components.
Coordination of all production plants in Germany, Romania, China and Mexico.
Managing all affected customers including GM, VW, Subaru, Audi and BMW.
Ensuring compliance with quality, cost and schedule requirements.
Coordinating with engineering, production and purchasing in an international environment.

Jan 2011 - Jul 2011

7 months

Affalterbach, Germany

Full Vehicle Project Manager

Mercedes-AMG

Responsible Full Vehicle Project Manager for the new S-Class.
Planning and managing development and production.
Responsibility for cost, schedule and quality.
Reporting to management and coordinating functional teams.
Bringing together all involved areas to ensure a successful vehicle launch.

Mar 2010 - Nov 2010

9 months

Fürth, Germany

Senior Sales

Faurecia Exhaust Systems

Responsible for Daimler CBU in the exhaust systems division.
Taking on cost responsibility and acquiring new contracts.
Leading the sales team and managing sales activities.
Preparing offers and negotiating prices with the customer.
Bringing together and structuring activities with Ex-Emcon.
Reporting to executive management.

Sep 2009 - Mar 2010

7 months

Fürth, Germany

Acquisition Manager

Faurecia Exhaust Systems

Responsible for proposal development and customer contact to acquire the contract for the exhaust system of the upcoming S-Class.
Creating cost calculations, schedules and business plans.
Leading the acquisition team and coordinating internal departments.
Reporting to executive management.
Result: successful completion on all points.

Jun 2009 - Present

16 years 10 months

Dublin, Ireland

Senior Sales

HTE

Sales of the PulseStaker process in northern Germany.
Responsible for preparing quotes and presentations.
Acquiring new customers and expanding existing relationships.
Conducting technical and commercial discussions.
Result: successful completion in all areas.

Jun 2008 - May 2009

1 year

Fürth, Germany

Task Force Leader / Program Manager

Faurecia Exhaust Systems

Program Manager overseeing all Daimler CBU projects.
Responsible for costs, deadlines, quality, and profit maximization.
Developing and maintaining business plans.
Leading the project team and reporting to management.
Direct customer contact and escalation management.
Result: successful completion in all areas.

Feb 2008 - Jun 2008

5 months

Fürth, Germany

Program Manager

Faurecia Exhaust Systems

Program Manager for a new exhaust system project for Daimler passenger cars.
Responsible for costs, deadlines, quality, and profit maximization.
Creating business plans and managing the project team.
Reporting to management.
Direct customer contact and coordination with internal departments.
Result: successful completion.

Oct 2007 - Feb 2008

5 months

Key Account Manager

Carcoustics Deutschland GmbH

Responsible for the commercial vehicles account.
Focus on preparing quotes and presenting to Volvo Trucks.
Coordinated all relevant plants in Brazil, the USA, and Germany for a customer proposal.
Managed communication with the customer and internal stakeholders.
Result: successful completion.

Mar 2007 - Oct 2007

8 months

Senior Sales

Lühr Group

Sales of systems in joining and welding technology.
Responsible for quote preparation, cost control, and presentations.
Acquiring new customers and implementing new technologies.
Successfully implemented HTE's PulseStaker process, including contract signing.
Result: successful completion and technological expansion of the portfolio.

Jan 2007 - Present

19 years 3 months

Interim Manager

Independent Interim Manager

Independent interim manager with worldwide assignments since 2007.
Main focus areas: business unit management, key account management, program/project management, crisis management/task force leadership, bottleneck management, acquisition management, as well as sales and project management for/with insolvent companies.
Taking on technical, scheduling, commercial and organizational leadership and responsibility for a team, program, project or business unit.
Budget responsibility of up to €450 million and direct customer contact.
Cost management, creation of department KPIs, budget planning and budget responsibility.
Organization and assurance of serial production launches and implementation of new products into manufacturing.
Conducting cost negotiations with customers and suppliers.
Creating and updating business plans.
Acquisition and development of new customers or customer bases, including the necessary internal organization.
Development of customer-related corporate strategies.

Jan 2004 - Dec 2007

4 years

Key Account Manager

Carcoustics Deutschland GmbH

Key Account Manager for commercial vehicle customers (Daimler, Volvo, Scania, MAN).
Technical and disciplinary responsibility for the entire commercial vehicle account.
Development and implementation of sales and customer strategies.
Result: increased sales by 40% through new customer acquisition.

Jan 2002 - Dec 2004

3 years

Lead Key Account Engineer

Carcoustics Deutschland GmbH

Lead Key Account Engineer in the automotive sector for the customer PAG.
Responsible for building the account and all resulting projects.
Technical and commercial support for the customer.
Result: grew the account from €0 to €40 million in sales.

Jan 2000 - Dec 2002

3 years

Lead Key Account Engineer

HP-chemie Pelzer GmbH

Lead Key Account Engineer for the Daimler passenger car customer.
Responsible for all projects within the account.
Coordinated development, production, and quality to meet customer requirements.
Result: successful completion of all managed projects.

Jan 1997 - Dec 2000

4 years

Lead Project Manager

HP-chemie Pelzer GmbH

Lead Project Manager in the automotive sector for the Daimler passenger car customer.
Full project responsibility for assigned projects.
Planning and control of schedules, costs, and quality.
Result: successful completion of all assigned projects.

Jan 1996 - Dec 1997

2 years

Menden, Germany

Project Manager R&D

Franz Scheffer OHG

R&D Project Manager in the bathroom fixtures sector.
Responsible for R&D projects from concept to implementation.
Coordinating development activities and liaising with production and sales.
Ensuring compliance with technical and financial objectives.

Jan 1995 - Dec 1996

2 years

Menden, Germany

Assistant to Operations Management

Franz Scheffer OHG

Assistant to operations management at a bathroom fixtures company.
Supporting management in day-to-day operations.
Assisting with organizational and process optimizations.
Gained insight into production, sales, and administration, preparing for future leadership roles.

Industry Experience

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

Experienced in Manufacturing, Automotive, Professional Services, Chemical, and Food and Beverage.

Manufacturing

Automotive

Professional Services

Chemical

Food and Beverage

Business Area Experience

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

Experienced in Project Management, Sales, Strategy, Operations, Production, and Quality Assurance.

Project Management

Sales

Strategy

Operations

Production

Quality Assurance

Skills

Business Unit Management
Key Account Management
Program / Project Management
Crisis Management / Task Force Leadership
Bottleneck Management
Acquisition Management
Sales And Project Management For/at Insolvent Companies
Technical, Scheduling, Commercial And Organizational Leadership And Responsibility Of Team / Program / Project / Business Unit Etc.
Budget Responsibility Up To €450 Million
Direct Customer Contact
Cost Management, Creation Of Department Metrics, Budget Preparation And Responsibility
Organization And Ensuring Series Launches, Implementation Of New Products Into Production
Cost Negotiations With Customers And Suppliers
Business Plan Creation And Updates
Acquisition / Development Of A New Customer Base Including Necessary Internal Organization
Creation Of Customer-specific Corporate Strategies
Highest Budget Responsibility: €450 Million, 27 Employees
Ms-office
Ms-project
Project Management
Teams / Team Development
Communication And Interpersonal Skills
Basic Techniques In Speaking And Presentation

Languages

German

Native

English

Advanced

Romanian

Advanced

French

Elementary

Education

Oct 1991 - Jun 1995

University of Applied Sciences Iserlohn

Diploma Engineer (FH), Mechanical Engineering, specialization in plastics processing · Mechanical Engineering · Iserlohn, Germany

Oct 1981 - Jun 1990

Walram Gymnasium Menden

High School Diploma (Abitur) · Menden, Germany

Oct 1980 - Jun 1981

Secondary School Menden

Menden, Germany

...and 1 more

Statistics

Experience

Total positions 27

Experience in Manufacturing 25 y

Avg length 2 y 8 m

Longest experience 19 y 2 m

Global Experience

Countries worked in 3 (Germany, Ireland, Hungary)

Primary country Germany

Expertise

Recent roles Bottleneck Management, Head of Business Unit, Sales and Project Management

Main industries Manufacturing, Automotive, Professional Services

Main business areas Project Management, Sales, Strategy

Qualifications

Highest degree Bachelor

Profile

Created

August 2025

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Frequently asked questions

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

Where is Sebastian based?

Sebastian is based in Menden (Sauerland), Germany and can operate in on-site, hybrid, and remote work models.

What languages does Sebastian speak?

Sebastian speaks the following languages: German (Native), English (Advanced), Romanian (Advanced), French (Elementary).

How many years of experience does Sebastian have?

Sebastian has at least 31 years of experience. During this time, Sebastian has worked in at least 17 different roles and for 17 different companies. The average length of individual experience is 1 year and 2 months. Note that Sebastian may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.

What roles would Sebastian be best suited for?

Based on recent experience, Sebastian would be well-suited for roles such as: Bottleneck Management, Head of Business Unit, Sales and Project Management.

What is Sebastian's latest experience?

Sebastian's most recent position is Bottleneck Management at WKW Hungaria Kft.

What companies has Sebastian worked for in recent years?

In recent years, Sebastian has worked for WKW Hungaria Kft, S.M.A. Metalltechnikverwaltungs GmbH, Emerson Automation Solution, HTE, and Independent Interim Manager.

Which industries is Sebastian most experienced in?

Sebastian is most experienced in industries like Manufacturing, Automotive, and Professional Services. Sebastian also has some experience in Chemical and Food and Beverage.

Which business areas is Sebastian most experienced in?

Sebastian is most experienced in business areas like Project Management, Sales, and Strategy. Sebastian also has some experience in Operations, Production, and Quality Assurance.

Which industries has Sebastian worked in recently?

Sebastian has recently worked in industries like Manufacturing, Professional Services, and Automotive.

Which business areas has Sebastian worked in recently?

Sebastian has recently worked in business areas like Operations, Project Management, and Strategy.

What is Sebastian's education?

Sebastian holds a Bachelor in Mechanical Engineering from University of Applied Sciences Iserlohn.

What is the availability of Sebastian?

Sebastian is immediately available full-time for suitable projects.

What is the rate of Sebastian?

Sebastian's rate depends on the specific project requirements. Please use the Meet button on the profile to schedule a meeting and discuss the details.