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Stefan S.-Interim Manager Project Management PMO

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Landesbergen, Germany

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Experience

Apr 2025 - Present
Papenburg, Germany

Interim Manager Project Management PMO

ND Coatings GmbH (Meyer Werft Papenburg)

Position summary
Interim Manager Project Management PMO at ND Coatings GmbH (Meyer Werft Papenburg)
Industries
Manufacturing
Business areas
Procurement
Project Management
  • Revenue €90 million, 50 employees

  • Industry: Shipbuilding, marina

  • Temporary assignment as Head of PMO

  • Recording and validation of PMO processes

  • Creation of capacity planning through 2032

  • Evaluation of standard preservation processes, including VSM and macro mapping

  • Creation of planning tools for project coordinators

  • Participation in coordination meetings with Meyer Werft

  • Data preparation for the monthly review

  • Contribution to the tendering strategy for new ships

  • Creation of roles and responsibilities and job descriptions for project managers and project coordinators

  • Project management for the Disney Adventure cruise ship

  • Re-design of the reporting tool

  • Creation of a planning tool for project coordinators with a planning horizon through 2032

  • Design of an on-call service, including work instructions

  • Creation of calculation models for quotations

  • Project management for Disney Adventure

Jan 2024 - Mar 2025
Lübeck, Germany

Interim Site Manager ppa

Elkem Silicones Germany GmbH

Position summary
Interim Site Manager ppa at Elkem Silicones Germany GmbH
Industries
Pharmaceutical
Business areas
Operations
Production
  • Revenue €90 million, 50 employees

  • Industry: Pharmaceutical industry

  • Disciplinary management of the Lübeck site

  • Maintaining site processes

  • Restructuring of all OPS processes along the VSM

  • Shop Floor Management

  • Recording and validation of manufacturing processes and preparation for relocation

  • Maintaining manufacturing processes in line with the relocation plan

  • Successful management and completion of negotiations with the works council and trade union regarding the social plan and reconciliation of interests

  • Continuous reporting to senior management

  • Phase-out production

  • Knowledge transfer

  • Creation and implementation of a relocation plan

  • Preparation of the announcement, including a communication plan and required internal and external documents

  • Completion of negotiations with the works council and trade union two months ahead of schedule and 30% under budget

  • Continued operation of the site without loss of revenue

  • Closure of the site, including production relocation to Italy and France

Jun 2023 - Jul 2023

OPS Screening

Polar Cutting Technologies GmbH

Position summary
OPS Screening at Polar Cutting Technologies GmbH
Industries
Manufacturing
Business areas
Operations
Production
Quality Assurance
  • Revenue €50 million, 265 employees

  • Industry: Special-purpose machinery – paper cutters

  • Analysis of operations processes along the value chain

  • Introduction of a daily production meeting

  • Assessment of current inventory levels and identification of improvement potential

  • Development of an action plan for process optimization, including a timeline

  • Use of external service contracts to reduce the backlog

  • Creation of a portfolio matrix to identify make-or-buy potential and development of a future layout for selecting the new site

  • Conducting various audits focusing on productivity and ASU

  • Optimization of shortage-part management

  • Complete analysis of all manufacturing processes in Operations

  • Coaching of the OPS Manager

  • Creation of a site assessment focusing on Lean and ASU

  • Support for the QMB in document management

Feb 2023 - Mar 2023

Company Screening

Jenz GmbH Maschinen- und Fahrzeugbau

Position summary
Company Screening at Jenz GmbH Maschinen- und Fahrzeugbau
Industries
Manufacturing
Business areas
Operations
Quality Assurance
Strategy
  • Revenue €20 million, 110 employees

  • Industry: Forestry – biomass processing

  • Analysis of development processes

  • Introduction of engineering control loops

  • Assessment of the current value chain from goods receipt to shipping

  • Creation of a process optimization plan, including a timeline

  • Coaching of senior management

  • Consolidation of an optimization plan incorporating the five-year growth forecast

  • Conducting various audits focusing on productivity and ASU

  • Complete analysis of all manufacturing processes

  • Site and property analysis in conjunction with the growth forecast

  • Conducting a safety audit with a corresponding deficiencies report

  • Creation of an optimization report comparing current and target states, including investment estimates and a timeline

Oct 2020 - Dec 2023
Fellbach, Germany

Interim General Manager

IMI Precision Engineering

Position summary
Interim General Manager at IMI Precision Engineering
Industries
Manufacturing
Business areas
Operations
Production
Supply Chain Management
  • Revenue €46 million, 280 employees

  • Industry: Special-purpose machinery, hydraulic systems

  • Disciplinary management of the Fellbach plant

  • Reorganization of site processes

  • Restructuring of all OPS processes along the VSM

  • Introduction of an SC matrix for master data maintenance in BaaN

  • Introduction of a skills matrix and Standard Work

  • Restructuring of production control, including the creation of a production control team

  • Creation and introduction of a KPI system for Purchasing to analyze demand variances

  • Process optimization along the value chain

  • Continuous reporting to senior management

  • Reorganization of the plant's personnel structures

  • Creation and implementation of a restructuring plan for Purchasing, optimization of production planning including an extended planning horizon

  • Introduction of KPI systems, implementation of shop floor management and meeting structures

  • Following the relocation decision, closure of the site, including production relocation to the Czech Republic

Jan 2020 - Sep 2020

Interim COO/CRO, Temporary Plant Manager

mbw GmbH metallveredelung

Position summary
Interim COO/CRO, Temporary Plant Manager at mbw GmbH metallveredelung
Industries
Manufacturing
Business areas
Logistics
Operations
Production
  • Revenue €65 million, 700 employees

  • Industry: Electroplating, metal finishing

  • Coaching the new Plant Manager

  • Restructuring all plant processes

  • Introducing TPM

  • Introducing Hoshin Planning

  • Optimizing production control and logistics

  • Developing and implementing a KPI system to identify process disruptions

  • Deriving optimization measures for each area

  • Reporting to senior management

  • Reorganizing the cost center structure

  • Optimizing the plant layout and reorganizing material supply processes

  • Developing bonus and flextime models

  • Supporting the definition of new group-wide business areas

  • Developing and implementing a restructuring plan, negotiating with the works council and IG Metall, developing KPI systems for production processes, introducing shop floor management and meeting structures

Nov 2019 - May 2020

FMEA Specialist / Trainer

Hensoldt Optronics GmbH

Position summary
FMEA Specialist / Trainer at Hensoldt Optronics GmbH
Industries
Aerospace and Defense
Business areas
Product Development
Quality Assurance
  • Revenue €1 billion, 4,000 employees

  • Industry: Defense and security electronics, optronics

  • Analyzing the FMEA status in the ongoing project

  • Reviewing and updating existing FMEAs

  • Developing and implementing an action plan for reviews and training to achieve customer milestones

  • Preparing and conducting customer reviews

  • Developing FMEA training materials

  • Conducting training for D-/P-FMEA, moderators, and train-the-trainer programs

  • Moderating D-/P-FMEAs

  • Restructuring the control plan process

  • Integrating the FMEA process into the PEP

  • Training the current development team as well as other interested departments

  • Training the quality departments in the future moderation of FMEAs

  • Training three company FMEA specialists in train-the-trainer methods

  • Implementing a consistent FMEA process, including integration into the PEP

Jun 2019 - Dec 2019

Senior OPS Manager

Transnorm System GmbH

Position summary
Senior OPS Manager at Transnorm System GmbH
Industries
Manufacturing
Business areas
Operations
Production
Quality Assurance
  • Revenue €62 million, 236 employees

  • Industry: Special-purpose machinery, conveyor systems, belt conveyors

  • Coaching the new OPS Manager

  • Developing and introducing an operational KPI system, including tracking

  • Interim management of selected areas

  • Optimizing production processes and supporting prefabrication areas

  • Preparing, conducting, and following up on process and system audits

  • Introducing a commissioning process

  • Outsourcing project orders to external service providers

  • Preparing reports for the Honeywell VP OPS

  • Supporting the Honeywell integration team

  • Supporting and coaching the new OPS Manager, developing KPI systems for production, quality, and logistics

  • Developing and successfully implementing an order-tracking tool

  • Successfully reducing the past-due backlog from 135 orders within two months since August 2019

Nov 2018 - May 2019

International Quality Manager and SCM Developer

Transnorm System GmbH

Position summary
International Quality Manager and SCM Developer at Transnorm System GmbH
Industries
Manufacturing
Business areas
Procurement
Quality Assurance
Supply Chain Management
  • Revenue €62 million, 236 employees

  • Industry: Special-purpose machinery

  • Planning and managing audits and certifications

  • Reviewing and monitoring supplier quality

  • Designing, implementing, and monitoring an 8D process, including reporting

  • Ensuring compliance with contractually agreed delivery quality

  • Coordinating and conducting quality assurance

  • Supporting the strategic quality direction

  • Preparing, conducting, and following up on process and system audits

  • Developing suppliers in Bosnia and Thailand

  • Handling complaints, 8D reports, and CARs

  • Coordinating continuous improvement measures with suppliers

  • Supporting the Honeywell integration team

  • Introducing control mechanisms (CAR) to monitor design responsibility and the change process with suppliers

  • Actively developing suppliers in Bosnia and Thailand

  • Processing LoPs

  • Introducing supplier management and an 8D process

  • Supporting the ISO certification re-audit

Apr 2018 - Nov 2018
Gelnhausen, Germany

Interim Plant Manager and Head of Quality Task Force

Ela Tech Rheinland Elastomere Technology GmbH

Position summary
Interim Plant Manager and Head of Quality Task Force at Ela Tech Rheinland Elastomere Technology GmbH
Industries
Automotive
Manufacturing
Business areas
Operations
Production
Quality Assurance
  • Revenue €120 million, 240 employees

  • Industry: Automotive - extrusion

  • Disciplinary management of the plant in Gelnhausen, restructuring and optimizing the quality organization

  • Developing templates and an analysis tool to visualize process defects

  • Training employees and end users in the use of the templates and tools

  • Setting up a Q-Gate for BMW in South Carolina and Gelnhausen

  • Preparing for and supporting customer audits due to escalation levels

  • Introducing KPI systems for operations, quality, and 8D

  • Developing production planning and control tools

  • Preparing for and leading BMW escalation meetings

  • Implementing defect documentation for BMW, including a corresponding analysis tool

  • Introducing change management for communication, including new meeting structures

  • Introducing quality circles including PDCA

  • Achieving de-escalation with BMW

  • Introducing IATF 16949

Nov 2017 - Mar 2018
Mexico

Senior Project Manager Quality, Interim Plant Manager

SaarGummi Technologies S.à.r.l.

Position summary
Senior Project Manager Quality, Interim Plant Manager at SaarGummi Technologies S.à.r.l.
Industries
Automotive
Business areas
Project Management
Quality Assurance
  • Revenue €280 million, 250 employees

  • Industry: Automotive - door seals

  • Restructuring and optimization of quality assurance in two plants

  • Creation of templates and an analysis tool to visualize process defects

  • Training employees and end users in the use of the templates and tools

  • Development of quality processes for roll-out across the entire group

  • Elimination of the goods filter used by VW at the plant in Puebla

  • Creation of inspection instructions for the internal quality gate in extrusion and finishing

  • Establishment and training of a quality assurance organization

  • Assumption of production and quality management for Plant 1 from February 6, 2018

  • Introduced inspection instructions for the VW Tiguan and Jetta, including corresponding analysis tools

  • Implemented change management for communication, including new meeting structures

  • Introduced quality circles, including PDCA

  • Established the quality organization

  • Interim assumption of plant management for Plant 1

Jun 2017 - Nov 2017

CRO - Senior Project Manager, Interim SCM and Operations Manager

Phönix Armaturen Werke Bregel GmbH - Curtiss Wright

Position summary
CRO - Senior Project Manager, Interim SCM and Operations Manager at Phönix Armaturen Werke Bregel GmbH - Curtiss Wright
Industries
Manufacturing
Business areas
Operations
Procurement
Supply Chain Management
  • Revenue €180 million, 350 employees

  • Industry: Special-purpose machinery, valves and control valves

  • Project management of the Integration Management Team for the consolidation of four European sites

  • Creation and implementation of the integration plan in MS Project

  • Disciplinary responsibility for purchasing, with a focus on sourcing cast and forged parts

  • Development of an operations strategy to define and implement core and non-core competencies

  • Introduction of lean methods to increase OTD and productivity and shorten lead times

  • Capacity planning and control, including forecast planning

  • Daily order tracking for all customer orders

  • Coordination of relocation activities

  • Reporting to HQ in the USA

  • Created and successfully implemented the project management plan

  • Implemented measures to optimize production planning and increase productivity and OTD

  • Introduced a KPI system

  • Implemented an operations strategy for outsourcing non-core competencies to low-cost countries

Apr 2017 - Jun 2017
Wuppertal, Germany

Interim Certification Manager

Delphi GmbH

Position summary
Interim Certification Manager at Delphi GmbH
Industries
Automotive
Business areas
Quality Assurance
  • Revenue €1 billion, 750 employees

  • Industry: Automotive

  • Managed the certification process for electric vehicle chargers for OEMs Porsche, Audi and Bentley in 128 countries

  • Coordinated certification activities between Intertek and Delphi

  • Created a certification plan

  • Daily reconciliation of certification tasks

  • Collaborated and coordinated with supporting plants and service providers to validate the status

  • Scheduled test sample requests

  • Coordinated and reported certification status to OEMs

  • Contact person for questions regarding standards, codes and certification

  • Evaluated and presented the certification status after taking over the project, based on the assignment and timeline

  • Tracked the certifier due to inadequate support

  • Assessed risks related to the test timeline for approval

  • Defined corrective actions and rescheduled activities to ensure SOP compliance

Sep 2016 - Mar 2017
Itzehoe, Germany

CRO - Senior Project Manager and Interim Operations Manager

Sterling SIHI GmbH

Position summary
CRO - Senior Project Manager and Interim Operations Manager at Sterling SIHI GmbH
Industries
Manufacturing
Business areas
Operations
Project Management
Supply Chain Management
  • Revenue €250 million, 600 employees

  • Industry: Special-purpose machinery, vacuum pumps

  • Project management of the Integration Management Team after Flowserve acquired competitor SIHI

  • Disciplinary responsibility for Operations with 180 employees

  • Introduction of lean methods to increase OTD and productivity and shorten product lead times

  • Planning, controlling and tracking customer orders and system projects, with a focus on deadlines, costs and quality

  • Development of a logistics concept for outsourcing and launch of the selection process

  • Development of transformation scenarios for management to change the business model, as a basis for presentation to the works council

  • Creation of a project plan for the integration of an external site, with a target date of Q3 2018

  • Dissolution of existing product lines and integration into a matrix organization

  • Reorganized the former SIHI company structure into the Flowserve matrix organization

  • Presented outsourcing scenarios and a new logistics concept to the works council and obtained approval

  • Reorganized product-line manufacturing processes to leverage cross-functional synergies and increase OEE

Jul 2015 - Aug 2016
United States

CRO - Senior Project Manager Integration Management

Flowserve Cooperation

Position summary
CRO - Senior Project Manager Integration Management at Flowserve Cooperation
Industries
Manufacturing
Business areas
Operations
Project Management
Supply Chain Management
  • Revenue US$4.561 billion, 19,000 employees

  • Industry: Special-purpose machinery, high-performance pumps

  • Project management of the Integration Management Team after Flowserve acquired competitor SIHI

  • Creation of integration models

  • Creation of restructuring scenarios

  • Preparation of decision papers for the US Board

  • Weekly reporting to management in the USA

  • Local support for the sending site and aftermarket

  • Creation of a training plan for knowledge transfer across all functions

  • Created integration scenarios, drafted a social plan and developed an overall project plan for seven receiving sites in MS Project

  • Ensured knowledge transfer across all functions through appropriate training programs

  • Coordinated the transfer of products and machines to the receiving sites

  • Conducted and led various weekly integration calls between the receiving sites and the USA

Dec 2014 - Jun 2015
Austria

Sen. Director Business Excellence and Director Global Quality Management, interim

Tridonic GmbH & Co. KG

Position summary
Sen. Director Business Excellence and Director Global Quality Management, interim at Tridonic GmbH & Co. KG
Industries
Manufacturing
Business areas
Operations
Quality Assurance
Strategy
  • Revenue €480 million, 950 employees

  • Industry: Electronics, LED lighting technology, SMD manufacturing

  • Disciplinary management of the global Quality department and Lean Six Sigma organization (82 employees)

  • Development of the Business Excellence strategy

  • Further development of the Excellence organization

  • Design and restructuring of the global Quality organization

  • Development and implementation of a Complaint/Claim process

  • Reorganization of Quality functions in coordination with stakeholders (OPS, Sales, Purchasing, R&D)

  • Recruitment for the newly established Quality functions

  • Implementation of the business strategy, including integration into the Global Master Management Manual

  • Establishment of a global Quality organization, including standardization of global Quality standards in the Master Management Manual

  • Introduction of control plans in production

Jul 2014 - Nov 2014
Germany

Interim Project Manager, Program Manager

ZF Lenksysteme NACAM GmbH

Position summary
Interim Project Manager, Program Manager at ZF Lenksysteme NACAM GmbH
Industries
Automotive
Business areas
Product Development
Project Management
  • Revenue €80 million, 240 employees

  • Industry: Automotive, steering systems

  • Took over two projects after the project manager left during the launch phase for the 0-series

  • Led the Audi MLBevo Q7 and A4 project teams

  • Further development of the product development and project management process

  • Responsible contact for Audi and other platforms (VW and Porsche)

  • Tracking development status and change management in Axalant

  • Preparation of PAS, 0-series and SOP activities

  • Coordination of BMG, AE and testing with the customer

  • Monitoring the integration of change levels and material availability into the manufacturing process

  • Managed prototype production to cover BMG and line-run vehicles as well as internal testing

  • Took over project management for the BMW Mini and led the task force for uneven steering column adjustment force

  • Recovered the schedule for the 0-series launch, including sampling

  • Led eight task forces to meet the specification requirements for vehicle safety and Thatcham

  • Led weekly escalation meetings at Audi executive board level

Nov 2013 - Jun 2014
Hamburg, Germany

Manufacturing Director, interim

Flowserve Hamburg GmbH

Position summary
Manufacturing Director, interim at Flowserve Hamburg GmbH
Industries
Manufacturing
Business areas
Production
Project Management
Supply Chain Management
  • Revenue €180 million, 265 employees

  • Industry: Shipbuilding/thrusters, submersible and piston pumps

  • Disciplinary management of production operations, 150 employees

  • Managed the test facility and production control center

  • Analyzed and optimized manufacturing processes

  • Member of the management team

  • Restructured logistics

  • Developed and implemented a logistics concept for JIT material supply

  • Coached managers

  • Developed an outsourcing concept

  • Reported to headquarters in the USA

  • Inventory manager for 2013

  • Introduced Kanban and barcode systems

  • Optimized SCM and led cost reduction projects

  • Successfully implemented a restructuring concept that increased productivity by 15%

  • Optimized the inventory process and reduced the inventory period from three weeks to six days, with an inventory variance of €8,800 on €65 million in inventory

  • Managed the project to build a conventional paint system for deep-well pumps and thrusters as part of an energy-efficiency upgrade

Jul 2013 - Oct 2013
Germany

Senior Project Manager, Warranty Management

Recaro Aircraft Seating GmbH & Co. KG

Position summary
Senior Project Manager, Warranty Management at Recaro Aircraft Seating GmbH & Co. KG
Industries
Aerospace and Defense
Business areas
Operations
Project Management
Quality Assurance
  • Revenue €350 million, 800 employees

  • Industry: Aerospace, aircraft seats

  • Analyzed and assessed existing warranty processes

  • Developed new processes for Warranty Management

  • Introduced new process structures

  • Led the interdisciplinary project team

  • Implemented communication tools

  • Reorganized Warranty Management

  • Created PA, VA, AA and forms

  • Programmed reporting tools

  • Status reporting in Executive Team Meetings / to management

  • Tracked and reported team activities

  • Trained all employees involved in the processes

  • Rolled out the processes at sites in the USA and China

  • Successfully led an interdisciplinary team in jointly developing and subsequently implementing the Warranty Management process

  • Reduced the lead time for warranty claims from an average of 327 days to 120 days

Jan 2013 - Jun 2013
Germany

Senior Project Manager, Customer Service

Recaro Aircraft Seating GmbH & Co. KG

Position summary
Senior Project Manager, Customer Service at Recaro Aircraft Seating GmbH & Co. KG
Industries
Aerospace and Defense
Manufacturing
Business areas
Customer Service
Project Management
  • Revenue €350 million, 800 employees

  • Industry: Aerospace, aircraft seats

  • Analyzed and assessed the existing project management process

  • Introduced new project management process structures

  • Developed and implemented communication tools and escalation levels

  • Reorganized the existing project management function

  • Created PA, VA, AA and forms

  • Trained all Customer Service employees in project management

  • Managed projects in the After Sales area

  • Handled complaints

  • Implemented project management for modifications

  • Supported personnel selection for future Technical Support Managers, including interviews

  • Trained the trainers for go-live

  • Rolled out the processes at the site in the USA

  • Developed and implemented an eight-phase project management model

  • Successfully processed warranty claims while meeting budget targets (project volume €2.4 million)

Jun 2012 - Dec 2012
Germany

CIP Manager, Project Lead

SGL Rotec GmbH & Co. KG

Position summary
CIP Manager, Project Lead at SGL Rotec GmbH & Co. KG
Industries
Energy
Manufacturing
Business areas
Operations
Project Management
Quality Assurance
  • Revenue €200 million, 900 employees

  • Industry: Renewable energy

  • Project management for Nordex wind turbines in Canada

  • Preparation of action plans and tracking of activities

  • Support for Germanischer Lloyd during rotor blade acceptance

  • Employee training and workshops to optimize production processes for prefabricated parts

  • Handling quality issues / complaint management

  • Introduction of lean tools

  • Development and implementation of auxiliary and measuring tools for rotor blade production

  • Successful introduction of concepts for providing operating equipment

  • Member of the management team

  • Optimization of production processes for all prefabricated parts, reducing production time from 35 hours to a lead time of 17 hours through, for example, the development and introduction of assembly aids and the reorganization of assembly processes

Apr 2008 - May 2012
Germany

Technical Managing Director with commercial power of attorney (CTO/COO)

Eduard Mathai GmbH

Position summary
Technical Managing Director with commercial power of attorney (CTO/COO) at Eduard Mathai GmbH
Industries
Cosmetics
Business areas
Operations
Production
Supply Chain Management
  • Revenue €120 million, 900 employees

  • Industry: Cosmetics

  • Introduction of innovative manufacturing methods and production technologies

  • Project management for worldwide optimization measures

  • Relocation and outsourcing of loss-making processes

  • Establishment and development of new sites in Colombia, Romania, and Ukraine, including staff recruitment

  • Expansion of all sites worldwide and achievement of market leadership

  • Worldwide budget and investment planning

  • Introduction of lean management (5S, Kaizen, TPM, etc.)

  • Optimization of delivery quality

  • Group-wide personnel management

  • Implementation of mass layoffs

  • Worldwide procurement management, including the development of SCM

  • Establishment of three new sites (Romania, Ukraine, and Colombia)

  • 300% improvement in fiber production and elimination of a second shift

  • Optimization of final assembly at all sites, with total savings of €6.2 million during the period of employment

Oct 2007 - Mar 2008
Germany

Head of Supplier Management

Recaro Aircraft Seating GmbH & Co. KG

Position summary
Head of Supplier Management at Recaro Aircraft Seating GmbH & Co. KG
Industries
Aerospace and Defense
Business areas
Procurement
Quality Assurance
  • Revenue €320 million, 800 employees

  • Industry: Aerospace

  • Design and implementation of supplier management

  • Introduction of supplier evaluation

  • Conducting supplier audits

  • Development of risk management

  • Implementation of roles and responsibilities for sourcing

  • Definition of interfaces for procurement

  • Auditor training

  • Introduction of a gate structure for supplier approval

  • Ramp-up support for new suppliers

  • Supplier tracking

  • Phase-out of suppliers

  • Audit preparation for the German Federal Aviation Authority (LBA)

  • Development and successful introduction of supplier management

  • Reduction of approved suppliers from 41,000 to 2,500

  • Conducted 48 supplier audits and supplier approvals worldwide

Nov 2006 - Sep 2007
Germany

Lean Manager, HOS Project Lead

Honeywell GmbH

Position summary
Lean Manager, HOS Project Lead at Honeywell GmbH
Industries
Manufacturing
Business areas
Operations
Project Management
Supply Chain Management
  • Revenue €250 million, 450 employees

  • Industry: Heating and climate control

  • Design of the HOS lean project

  • Implementation of HOS requirements at the site, including reporting to the Global HOS organization

  • Introduction of lean tools, including employee training

  • Conducting Kaizen workshops

  • Restructuring of the SMD production departments to improve production processes

  • Development of SCM and introduction of global sourcing

  • Introduction of supplier management, including an evaluation system

  • Taking over and managing product development projects

  • Participation in and completion of Lean Expert training

  • Restructuring of printed circuit board production

  • Reorganization of production processes, including the conversion of SMD production lines across two floors

  • Increased OTTR to 93% and productivity by 8%

  • Introduction of a consignment warehouse and reduction of inventory by €1.08 million

Jun 2006 - Oct 2006
Germany

Quality Manager, Head of Quality Assurance

Schefenacker Engelmann Spiegel GmbH

Position summary
Quality Manager, Head of Quality Assurance at Schefenacker Engelmann Spiegel GmbH
Industries
Automotive
Business areas
Operations
Project Management
Quality Assurance
  • Revenue €120 million, 350 employees

  • Industry: Automotive, plastic injection molding, hydro painting

  • Disciplinary management of the quality department at both German sites (34 employees)

  • Tracking restructuring measures

  • Reduction of the defect rate to as low as 28 PPM at VW for painted Class A parts (mirror caps, fuel filler flaps)

  • Securing JIS for Auto5000 after the takeover

  • Phase-out of conventional painting production

  • Relocation of production to Hungary

  • Reduction of complaint costs

  • Participation in Meisterbock and cubing meetings at VW in Emden and Wolfsburg

  • Management of external rework companies

  • Management of turnaround projects

  • Development of the 25-point optimization plan to secure the site

  • Implementation of crisis management to maintain delivery reliability and prevent line stoppages at Opel and VW

Oct 2005 - May 2006
Hattorf am Harz, Germany

Plant Manager in Hattorf

Engelmann Automotive GmbH i. I.

Position summary
Plant Manager in Hattorf at Engelmann Automotive GmbH i. I.
Industries
Automotive
Business areas
Operations
Production
Supply Chain Management
  • Revenue €160 million, 450 employees

  • Industry: Automotive, plastic injection molding, hydro painting

  • Disciplinary management of the plant with 135 employees

  • Direct reporting to management in Wedemark (Germany)

  • Support of comprehensive restructuring and turnaround measures at the site

  • Maintaining delivery capability while reducing staff by 30%

  • Improvement of the FROK rate in hydro painting

  • Crisis management with VW and GM by taking over Schefenacker GmbH during the BQG period

  • Significant staff reduction

  • Make-or-buy decision

  • Head of Plastic Injection Molding (temporarily)

  • Capacity planning for injection molding machines up to 600 tons

  • Preparation for end-of-production

  • Coordination of external rework with service providers and JVAs

  • Increased the FROK rate from 54% to 82%

  • Maintained delivery reliability for JIS production of the VW Touran despite staff reductions and the company takeover

Nov 2004 - Sep 2005
Germany

Head of Quality, Lean Manager, LEO Project Manager

Engelmann Automotive GmbH

Position summary
Head of Quality, Lean Manager, LEO Project Manager at Engelmann Automotive GmbH
Industries
Automotive
Business areas
Operations
Project Management
Quality Assurance
  • Revenue €240 million, 1,000 employees

  • Industry: Automotive, plastic injection molding, conventional painting

  • Disciplinary management of the quality department at three sites (47 employees)

  • Design of the LEO Lean project, Six Sigma

  • Introduction of Lean tools, including employee training

  • Introduction and management of pilot projects (Kanban, One Piece Flow)

  • Optimization of production processes

  • Root cause analysis according to SHAININ

  • 8D reporting, complaint management

  • Restructuring of manufacturing processes

  • Crisis management

  • Supplier tracking

  • Quality Manager Ford Group, responsible for maintaining Q1 certification

  • Successfully introduced Kanban in mirror assembly for the Opel Astra

  • Increased output from 725 to 1,085 mirrors per day

  • Reduced the PPM rate from 6,500 to 5 PPM at VW

Jan 2003 - Oct 2004
Isernhagen, Germany

Quality Manager / Project Manager

IserHäger GmbH

Position summary
Quality Manager / Project Manager at IserHäger GmbH
Industries
Food and Beverage
Business areas
Operations
Project Management
Quality Assurance
  • Revenue €34 million, 20 employees

  • Industry: Food industry

  • Introduction of an EN ISO 9001:2000 quality management system

  • Recording and documentation of all business processes for ISO certification

  • Preparation of process, procedure, and work instructions

  • Preparation of machine documentation, maintenance plans, and CE declarations

  • Development and introduction of project management for sales

  • Optimization of training concepts for bakeries

  • Preparation and facilitation of workshops for process optimization and revenue growth

  • Developed and successfully introduced a project planning tool for sales

  • Prepared the quality management manual and documentation for ISO certification

  • Supported the ISO 9001:2003 certification

Jul 2001 - Dec 2002
Stadthagen, Germany

Lean Manager, ACE Project Manager

Otis Escalator GmbH

Position summary
Lean Manager, ACE Project Manager at Otis Escalator GmbH
Industries
Manufacturing
Business areas
Operations
Project Management
Quality Assurance
  • Revenue €180 million, 950 employees

  • Industry: Escalators / steel construction

  • Integration of ACE into the existing quality management system

  • Auditing of Kaizen activities

  • Optimization of processes: purchasing, sales, work preparation, specification, and design

  • Introduction of GidA in cooperation with AOK

  • Comprehensive restructuring of manufacturing processes

  • Successfully managed the project as ACE Coordinator for process optimization across the entire plant

  • Annual cost savings of $1.6 million through optimization

Dec 1999 - Jun 2001
Berlin, Germany

Head of Quality Assurance, Escalators Germany

Otis GmbH & Co. OHG

Position summary
Head of Quality Assurance, Escalators Germany at Otis GmbH & Co. OHG
Industries
Construction
Manufacturing
Business areas
Product Development
Quality Assurance
  • Revenue €120 million, 260 employees

  • Industry: Elevators / steel construction

  • Development of a quality management system for escalators and elevators

  • Conducting service and new-build audits

  • Development of a service evaluation system

  • Product optimization with the plants to develop repair packages

  • Management and monitoring of prototype fleets

  • Conducting safety audits

  • Developed and successfully implemented an audit system for escalators and elevators in Germany

  • Developed Q-Infos for process optimization in service

Jul 1998 - Nov 1999

Head of Task Force Europe

Otis Escalator GmbH

Position summary
Head of Task Force Europe at Otis Escalator GmbH
Industries
Manufacturing
Business areas
Operations
Project Management
  • Revenue €850 million, 3,500 employees

  • Industry: Escalators / steel construction

  • Schedule and crisis management for customers

  • Management of installation operations in Europe

  • Continuous improvement of replacement kits

  • Further development of EMC prevention measures

  • Coordination of eight task force teams operating across Europe

  • Successfully resolved the EMC issue affecting passenger escalators and ensured timely resource and deployment planning for the task force teams in Europe

Jun 1996 - Jun 1998
Stadthagen, Germany

Development Project Manager

Otis Escalator GmbH

Position summary
Development Project Manager at Otis Escalator GmbH
Industries
Manufacturing
Business areas
Product Development
Project Management
  • Revenue €180 million, 950 employees

  • Industry: Escalators / steel construction

  • Focus: Electrical engineering

  • Design of escalator control systems for the North American market

  • Sourcing suppliers for UL/CSA-approved components

  • Creation of design drawings using Pro/ENGINEER

  • Code compliance comparison with NEC / CEC / JIS

  • Development and production of prototypes

  • Project management through UL/CSA certification

  • Support of certifications in the USA and Canada

  • Development of the electrical equipment for three escalator types for the North American market, with successful UL and CSA approval in the USA and Canada

Industry experience

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

Experienced in Manufacturing, Cosmetics, Automotive, Food and Beverage, Aerospace and Defense, and Construction.

Manufacturing
Cosmetics
Automotive
Food and Beverage
Aerospace and Defense
Construction
Profile match chart

Business area experience

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

Experienced in Operations, Project Management, Supply Chain Management, Production, Quality Assurance, and Product Development.

Operations
Project Management
Supply Chain Management
Production
Quality Assurance
Product Development
Profile match chart

Summary

Internationally active interim manager and consultant with many years of experience in project management and successful company management. Experienced practitioner and hands-on type with strong social skills. A doer and decision-maker in integration, relocation and restructuring processes

Skills

  • Lean Management/Tps (5s, Tpm, Sr, Pdca, Kanban, Etc.)

  • Sixsigma (Dmaic, Shainin)

  • Dfss

  • Scrum

  • International Project Management

  • Scm

  • Qm/Qa / Prototype Construction

  • Risk Management

  • Automotive And Commercial Vehicles (First & Second Tier Supplier)

  • Electrical And Electronics Industry, Smd, Lithography

  • Special-Purpose Machinery – Various Industries And Product Types

  • Steel Construction Industry, Scaffolding And Container Construction, Special Vehicle Construction

  • Conveyor Technology For People, Goods And Liquids

  • Switchgear Construction For Low- And High-Voltage Systems

  • Renewable Energy – Rotor Blade Construction Up To 58.5 M For Offshore Applications

  • Aerospace Technology

  • Plastic Injection Molding With Conventional And Hydro Coating, Extrusion Of Rubber Components (Door Seals, Etc.)

  • Heating And Air-Conditioning Technology

  • Cosmetics Industry And Healthcare

  • Food Industry, Fermentation, Vegetables

  • Side-Channel, Multistage, Underwater And Piston Pumps

  • Shipbuilding / Thruster Construction, Preservation, Insulation

  • Liquid Ring And Dry Vacuum Pumps

  • Approval Of Electronic And Electrical Components

  • Industrial Valves And Butterfly Valves Up To Dn 600 And Pn 630

  • Defence, Optical Monitoring Of Land/Sea/Air

  • Chemicals, Electroplating

  • Biomass Processing And Recovery

  • Pharmaceutical Industry, Medical Technology

  • As400

  • Sap R3

  • Cm

  • Baan

  • Oracle

  • Axalant

  • Proalpha

  • Pro Eng

  • Eplan

  • Cocreate

  • Autocad

  • Classics

  • Ms Navision

  • Windows 365

  • Ms Office 2019

  • Minitab

  • Ms Visio

  • Ms Project

  • Copilot

  • Chat Gpt

Languages

German
Native
English
Advanced

Education

Commercial and technical training in electrical engineering and mechanical engineering

Certifications & licenses

Lean Expert

Project Management

Project Manager

Quality Manager

Statistics

Experience

Total positions 32
Experience in Manufacturing 18.5 y
Avg length 11 m
Longest experience 4 y 1 m

Global experience

Countries worked in 4 (Germany, Mexico, United States, Austria)
Primary country Germany

Expertise

Recent roles Interim Manager Project Management PMO, Interim Site Manager ppa, OPS Screening
Main industries Manufacturing, Cosmetics, Automotive
Main business areas Operations, Project Management, Supply Chain Management

Qualifications

Certifications earned 6

Profile

Member since
Last update
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Frequently asked questions

Have questions? Find more information here.

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

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

Stefan has at least 30 years of experience. During this time, Stefan has worked in at least 32 different roles and for 27 different companies. The average length of individual experience is 1 year and 11 months. Note that Stefan may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.

Based on recent experience, Stefan would be well-suited for roles such as: Interim Manager Project Management PMO, Interim Site Manager ppa, OPS Screening.

Stefan's most recent position is Interim Manager Project Management PMO at ND Coatings GmbH (Meyer Werft Papenburg).

In recent years, Stefan has worked for ND Coatings GmbH (Meyer Werft Papenburg), Elkem Silicones Germany GmbH, Polar Cutting Technologies GmbH, Jenz GmbH Maschinen- und Fahrzeugbau, and IMI Precision Engineering.

Stefan is most experienced in industries like Manufacturing, Cosmetics, and Automotive. Stefan also has some experience in Food and Beverage, Aerospace and Defense, and Construction.

Stefan is most experienced in business areas like Operations, Project Management, and Supply Chain Management. Stefan also has some experience in Production, Quality Assurance, and Product Development.

Stefan has recently worked in industries like Manufacturing and Pharmaceutical.

Stefan has recently worked in business areas like Operations, Production, and Supply Chain Management.

Stefan attended education in Commercial and technical training in electrical engineering and mechanical engineering.

Stefan has 6 certificates. Among them, these include: Master Black Belt, Lean Expert, and Black Belt.

Stefan will be available full-time from November 2026.

Daily rate distribution

0% 25% 50% 75% 100%
11% of experts charge less than €560 per day.
11% of experts charge between €640 and €720 per day.
22% of experts charge between €720 and €800 per day.
11% of experts charge between €800 and €880 per day.
22% of experts charge between €880 and €960 per day.
22% of experts charge €960 or more per day.
<€560 €640-​720 €720-​800 €800-​880 €880-​960 €960+

The rates shown represent the typical market range for freelancers in this position based on recent contracts on our platform.

Average rates for similar positions

Rates are based on recent contracts and do not include FRATCH margin.

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750
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Daily rate avg. 815 €

The average daily rate is the mean of all daily rates from recent contracts of comparable freelancers on our platform.

1000
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Median rate 800 €

The median daily rate is the middle value of all daily rates — half of comparable freelancers charge less, half charge more. Unlike the average, it is barely affected by outliers.

Calculated based on our freelancers’ daily rates as of 28 Sep 2026. Actual rates may vary depending on seniority level, experience, skill specialization, project complexity, and engagement length.