Stephan Bütje - Interim HR Management and Consulting

Q: Where is Stephan based?

Stephan is based in Norderstedt, Germany .

Q: What languages does Stephan speak?

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

Q: How many years of experience does Stephan have?

Stephan has at least 27 years of experience. During this time, Stephan has worked in at least 12 different roles and for 12 different companies . The average length of individual experience is 2 years and 3 months . Note that Stephan may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.

Q: What is Stephan's latest experience?

Stephan's most recent position is Interim Head of HR Division at Energy provider .

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

In recent years, Stephan has worked for Energy provider , Marine engine manufacturing , Yacht building , Wind turbine manufacturing , Gateway49, and Start-Up Accelerator .

Q: Which industries is Stephan most experienced in?

Stephan is most experienced in industries like Manufacturing , Education , and Professional Services . Stephan also has some experience in Energy , Aerospace and Defense , and Banking and Finance .

Q: Which business areas is Stephan most experienced in?

Stephan is most experienced in business areas like Human Resources , Business Intelligence , and Marketing . Stephan also has some experience in Project Management .

Q: Which industries has Stephan worked in recently?

Stephan has recently worked in industries like Education , Professional Services , and Energy .

Q: Which business areas has Stephan worked in recently?

Stephan has recently worked in business areas like Human Resources .

Recommended expert

Norderstedt, Germany

Experience

Feb 2024 - Aug 2025

1 year 7 months

Flensburg, Germany

Hybrid

Interim Head of HR Division

Energy provider

Leading the HR team (25 employees), including cafeteria operations
HR transformation and employee support, developing an HR strategy, selecting an HR software suite and preparing for its implementation, process mapping and analysis, and projects like non-tariff compensation structures and job descriptions

Feb 2023 - Feb 2024

1 year 1 month

Hamburg, Germany

Hybrid

HR Manager (ad interim)

Marine engine manufacturing

Covering vacancies in HR leadership and HR Business Partner roles, including onboarding successors.
Advising on the HR department’s realignment within the decentralized EMEA group structures.
Supporting the company turnaround: separation of 8 managers and filling around 80 open positions

May 2022 - Oct 2022

6 months

Lemwerder, Germany

On-site

Head of HR (ad interim)

Yacht building

Leading the HR team (13 employees)
Project work like final negotiations and conclusion of various works agreements, and workforce planning

Nov 2020 - May 2022

1 year 7 months

Aurich, Germany

Interim Head of HR / Consultant HR Reorganisation / Interim Head of central HR BP

Wind turbine manufacturing

Leading the German HR team (7 department and team leaders) with a total of 65 HR staff for about 5,000 employees until the Global Head of HR took over
Advising on the realignment and merging of the global HR team (around 250 HR staff) for 13,500 employees, supporting the Global Head of HR and the entire HR organization, and developing and implementing various organizational development initiatives.
Temporarily leading the central HR BP team with 11 staff, responsible for about 4,000 employees, and taking on HR BP tasks for global Sales, global IT, and HR

Jul 2020 - Nov 2020

5 months

Frankfurt, Germany

Remote

HR Senior Consultant (ad interim)

Banking (DAX company) via the 4C Group

Transitioning the non-tariff compensation structure in Germany.
A special task was liaising with the Group Works Council.

Apr 2020 - Present

6 years

Lübeck, Germany

Mentor and Lecturer for HR Topics

Gateway49, Start-Up Accelerator

Coaching and mentoring startups on HR topics
Workshops on recruitment and leadership in startups

Jan 2012 - Mar 2020

8 years 3 months

Hamburg, Germany

Head of Human Resources / HR Manager

SKF Marine GmbH

Leading the HR team (HR business partners, payroll expert, HR service partners), indirectly supervising SAP HCM module administrators and training supervisors
Acting as HR interface to SKF Group (Sweden) and SKF GmbH (Germany) and collaborating in cross-functional projects
Direct support for all managers and employees of the international SKF Marine business unit
Works council activities, including negotiating works agreements
Designing and supporting various change projects
Strategic and operational HR tasks, including recruiting/onboarding, talent and performance management, succession planning
HR support during the sale of ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems via STAR Capital (private equity) to the SKF Group and integration into the new SKF corporate structures
Designing an HR strategy and implementing it as part of rebuilding the HR department and reorganizing processes, reducing HR cost structure by 30%
Implementing SAP HCM, including payroll and travel expense management, and additional modern tools like ESS/MSS and manager reporting tools as part of the HR digitalization strategy
Developing and delivering people development initiatives: establishing new corporate values, leadership training series, competency management

Jan 2010 - Dec 2011

2 years

Bremerhaven, Germany

Interim Head of HR and HSE

PowerBlades GmbH

Expanding existing HR structures and the use of SAP HCM
Advising management as well as specialists, managers and employees on HR-related issues
Works council activities, including negotiating works agreements
Leading negotiations with IG Metall on collective bargaining entry
Setting up the technical training department in cooperation with the Fraunhofer Institute (IFAM Bremen) as an education partner

Dec 2008 - Dec 2009

1 year 1 month

Bremen, Germany

Interim HR Project Manager

ATLAS ELEKTRONIK GmbH

Leading the project and advising management on rejoining the collective agreement, including introducing ERA and converting the company pension scheme. Creating about 350 job descriptions and simulating different implementation scenarios
Supporting HR development in establishing a project/specialist career path concept and conducting management training on employee appraisals

Dec 2004 - Nov 2008

4 years

Hamburg, Germany

Head of HR and Social Affairs

Harburg-Freudenberger Maschinenbau GmbH

Supporting the sale of the company from ThyssenKrupp to L. Possehl & Co. mbH and adapting HR structures
HR responsibility for the Hamburg-Harburg site
Direct management of the HR department (administration and payroll) as well as the infirmary, mailroom and switchboard
Advising management, specialists and managers on all HR-related issues and implementing personnel measures
Operational HR tasks
Works council activities, including negotiating works agreements
Restructuring the HR department
Introducing the ERA collective agreement wage framework
Change management project to secure results
Developing and implementing an organizational structure concept, including balancing interests and social plan (reducing 50 FTE)
Taking over the support units for maintenance and the cafeteria

Jun 2001 - Nov 2004

3 years 6 months

Hamburg, Germany

HR Administrator / Deputy HR Manager

B+V Industrietechnik GmbH

Personnel administration - support for the industrial workforce
Advising specialists and managers on employee-related issues and implementing HR measures
Partial retirement (implementation, advising and supporting employees)
Deploying external staff under the German Temporary Employment Act
Transition to the group occupational pension system KOMBI-PAKT
Optimizing personnel cost planning

Oct 1998 - Jun 2001

2 years 9 months

Bremen, Germany

HR Administrator

Johann A. Krause Maschinenfabrik GmbH

HR and campus marketing and recruitment
Managing IT systems and developing concepts, including some programming
Creating statistics for internal reporting and the group

Industry Experience

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

Experienced in Manufacturing, Education, Professional Services, Energy, Aerospace and Defense, and Banking and Finance.

Manufacturing

Education

Professional Services

Energy

Aerospace and Defense

Banking and Finance

Business Area Experience

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

Experienced in Human Resources, Business Intelligence, Marketing, and Project Management.

Human Resources

Business Intelligence

Marketing

Project Management

Summary

HR work is often seen as complex – my strength lies in reducing this complexity to the essentials and crafting pragmatic, actionable solutions. In interim assignments, I accelerate HR transformations, secure buy-in in environments with works councils, and deliver measurable results – whether in building and realigning HR organizations, implementing HR IT, or in change and restructuring projects.

Over 20 years of experience in operational and strategic HR management – from large corporations (e.g. ThyssenKrupp, SKF, ENERCON) to mid-sized companies, special machine manufacturing, shipbuilding, utilities, and wind energy. I have expertise in HR transformations, HR IT (SAP HCM / SuccessFactors), and working with works councils. My roles have included HR Director, Head of HR, Senior HR Business Partner, and Project Manager.

Skills

As A Sparring Partner For Modern, Digital, And Pragmatic Hr Management, I Take On Interim Consulting Mandates With A Focus On Design, Implementation, And Measurable Results. Typical Areas Of Engagement:

Building And Aligning Hr Organizations – Clear Structures, Efficient Processes, Improved Communication, Sustainable Collaboration
Hr It & Data Analytics – From Strategy To Hcm Suite Implementation, Using Data To Inform Decisions
Change & Restructuring – Reconciliation Of Interests And Social Plans
Stabilizing Core Hr Work – Covering Vacancies

Languages

German

Native

English

Advanced

Statistics

Experience

Total positions 12

Experience in Manufacturing 21.5 y

Avg length 2 y 8 m

Longest experience 8 y 2 m

Global Experience

Countries worked in 1 (Germany)

Primary country Germany

Expertise

Recent roles Interim Head of HR Division, HR Manager (ad interim), Head of HR (ad interim)

Main industries Manufacturing, Education, Professional Services

Main business areas Human Resources, Business Intelligence, Marketing

Profile

Created

December 2025

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Frequently asked questions

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

Where is Stephan based?

Stephan is based in Norderstedt, Germany.

What languages does Stephan speak?

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

How many years of experience does Stephan have?

Stephan has at least 27 years of experience. During this time, Stephan has worked in at least 12 different roles and for 12 different companies. The average length of individual experience is 2 years and 3 months. Note that Stephan may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.

What roles would Stephan be best suited for?

Based on recent experience, Stephan would be well-suited for roles such as: Interim Head of HR Division, HR Manager (ad interim), Head of HR (ad interim).

What is Stephan's latest experience?

Stephan's most recent position is Interim Head of HR Division at Energy provider.

What companies has Stephan worked for in recent years?

In recent years, Stephan has worked for Energy provider, Marine engine manufacturing, Yacht building, Wind turbine manufacturing, Gateway49, and Start-Up Accelerator.

Which industries is Stephan most experienced in?

Stephan is most experienced in industries like Manufacturing, Education, and Professional Services. Stephan also has some experience in Energy, Aerospace and Defense, and Banking and Finance.

Which business areas is Stephan most experienced in?

Stephan is most experienced in business areas like Human Resources, Business Intelligence, and Marketing. Stephan also has some experience in Project Management.

Which industries has Stephan worked in recently?

Stephan has recently worked in industries like Education, Professional Services, and Energy.

Which business areas has Stephan worked in recently?

Stephan has recently worked in business areas like Human Resources.

What is the availability of Stephan?

Stephan is immediately available for suitable projects.

What is the rate of Stephan?

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