Managing Directors in Essen
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Meet FRATCH Managing Directors in Essen
Karsten Reischl
Last position:
New conference and cafeteria building, centralization of administration. at Essity Operations Mannheim GmbH
- Essity Operations, sparring partner for all sites.
- Support with digitalization and implementation of a new billing system
- New concept for the company catering
- New construction of a conference and cafeteria building
Henok Abraham
Last position:
Founder and Managing Director at Afworki GmbH IT-Consulting
The goal of Afworki GmbH IT-Consulting is to make small and medium-sized companies more competitive by overcoming challenges in digitalization, automation, and data management.
Tailored technology, strategy, and specialist consulting designed to meet the individual needs of each company.
Analyzing the company's current situation and developing the best possible solution together with the client.
Using both agile and classical IT project management methods to deliver projects on time and within budget.
Focusing on automating and orchestrating all data flows in a data warehouse to create a unified and standardized data foundation.
Considering the dependencies between IT and business to achieve sustainable positive effects.
Employing modern strategies and tools specifically tailored to the company's needs.
Supporting digitalization, the introduction of agile working methods, and the creation of up-to-date reports and analyses.
Objective: streamlining management and enabling well-founded, data-driven decision-making.
René Tilly
Last position:
Managing Director at Le Shop Vegan
- Shop & ERP system, performance marketing
- Fulfilment: setup & operation of warehouse & shipping
- Finance: control & liquidity planning
Manuel Engelhardt
Last position:
External Technical Lead for CI/CD, Architecture & Technical Governance at Insurance
- Technical lead for CI/CD modernization in the "Group Archive 4.0" system
- Architecture and steering responsibility according to the statement of work
- Setting up modern build and deployment processes
- CI/CD coaching and enablement of the internal development team
- Integration of modern DevOps, security, and compliance standards
- Ensuring technical governance, including collaboration with internal audit and BaFin
- Independently executing the modernization measures
- Supporting the team in adopting new technologies and methods
Gernot Lang
Last position:
Founder and Managing Director at Softwerk/Ruhr GmbH
- Architecting and developing SaaS platform for graphical definition and execution of pandas data processing pipelines
- Developed POlyglott, an open-source Python CLI tool for translation workflow management featuring PO file parsing, quality linting with glossary enforcement, and DeepL API integration for machine translation
- Developed web application for material compliance management (EU REACH) using Django and modern web technologies
- Built automated infrastructure platform using Proxmox, Terraform, and Ansible — VM provisioning, configuration management, internal DNS, and fleet-wide security hardening across multiple subnets
Raschid Ijioui
Last position:
Requirements Engineer/Manager at CARIAD – Volkswagen Group AG
- Development of the unified CARIAD E3 2.0 software platform for future mobility
- Stakeholder management
- Synchronization and alignment with solutions (UX, security, data product & mobility services, architecture, software product, integration)
- Workshop and migration management
- Conducting risk matrix analyses
- Tool use: Jira, Confluence, Codebeamer
Thomas Martin
Last position:
Managing Partner, Transformation Consultant at THRIVE8
- Established and led the Enterprise PMO to increase the growth of a security provider in Germany
- Introduced SAFe in portfolio configuration to scale production for a security provider in Germany
- Built ESG performance management and defined KPIs for an energy company in Germany
Stefan Opitz
Last position:
Managing Partner at IAW Institute for Education and Training UG
- Managing the company with 5–10 employees
- Planning and delivering AZAV-certified training programs
Joachim Quantz
Last position:
Managing Director & Project Manager at POWERJO GmbH
- Project planning and project management of packaging lines
- Support of the entire project process and optimization through claim management, open points list, regular project meetings, stakeholder management
- Feasibility analysis, packaging development and tendering of a packaging line for frozen baked goods for a large bakery
- Technical consulting on the process and production of a circular packaging solution
- Support for startups (design office, food producer, consulting company, ...)
- Project manager on the customer side for a heating equipment manufacturer, packaging technology/central palletizing
- Technical sales in packaging technology in northern and western Germany
Mesut Yilmaz
Last position:
Solution Architect Computer Vision Store at Schwarz IT (Lidl/Kaufland)
- Expansion and support of the product portfolio for video analytics and computer vision
- Requirements gathering and engineering
- Consulting, project management and coordination of the pilot and international rollout
- Tools: IP-based camera and video systems, Citrix administration, OneNote, Microsoft Teams, Node-RED, Office 365, Age Verification, Qognify Umbrella, ThingsBoard, Xovis 3D sensors, AXIS cameras, GK checkout software, Atlassian JIRA
Stephan Altendeitering
Last position:
CFO / Managing Director at EP Power Minerals GmbH
- Subsidiary of the EPH Group, €250 million in revenue, 20 companies, 200 employees
- Responsibility for controlling, finance, IT, HR, procurement, project management/M&A, legal/compliance, accounting, and taxes
- Corporate management and transformation
- Preparation and support of the company sale (STEAG → EPH)
- Establishment of a new headquarters (finance, IT, legal, HR, etc.)
- Strategic and operational controlling
- Post-merger integration of foreign companies (BE, NL, FI, FR)
- Execution of M&A processes (buy & sell side)
- Company-wide process analysis and preparation for SAP S/4HANA
- Carve-out and post-merger integration
- Consistent implementation of digitization and efficiency measures
- Finance and accounting
Sandro Ullering
Last position:
HSE Manager at Ullertec GmbH
As Managing Director of Ullertec GmbH, my focus is on advising and supporting companies in the areas of occupational health and safety, workplace safety, and operational safety organization.
As a specialist for occupational safety, I support companies with safety-related services in accordance with DGUV Regulation 2, the creation and further development of risk assessments, operating instructions, and occupational safety organizations, as well as with site inspections, safety committee meetings, and the implementation of legal requirements.
Ullertec GmbH, based in Bochum, has established itself as a specialized service provider for occupational health and safety in the Ruhr area and in North Rhine-Westphalia. Our customers include companies and organizations from industry, production, logistics, skilled trades, services, and public or municipal sectors.
In addition to working as an external specialist for occupational safety, our services also include fire protection, safety and health coordination (SiGeKo), expert noise measurements, inspections of work equipment, and practical training and instruction.
A key success is the continuous building of long-term safety-related support relationships and a growing customer base. In doing so, we combine many years of industry experience with modern, structured health and safety consulting.
Our goal is not to represent health and safety only on paper. We analyze workplaces, machines, and operational processes directly on site and develop clear measures that can be implemented economically.
Ullertec stands for practical, structured, and reliable health and safety from Bochum - across the Ruhr area, in North Rhine-Westphalia, and for selected services nationwide.
Marcel Kalla
Last position:
Co-Founder & Investor at Netfluenz GmbH
Positioning & scaling: Initiated and co-founded an AI-powered influencer marketing partner for B2C brands, focusing on profitable scaling.
Investment & GTM: Managed a six-figure pre-seed investment and developed the go-to-market tactics and exit strategy.
Leadership: Strategically formed the founding team and brought in the management to ensure scalable structures.
Ercan Yüksel
Last position:
Digitalization Manager / SharePoint Manager at EBRO Armaturen GmbH
- Administration and enhancement of the SharePoint farm (M.Office 365)
- Migration using ShareGate
- Building a global employee portal
- Development of DMS and customer portal solutions
Jürgen Hotz
Last position:
Diehl & Brüser Handelskonzepte GmbH
- Directed omnichannel food retail operations, driving efficiency and profitability.
- Implemented and optimized omnichannel strategies to enhance customer experience and sales.
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Managing Directors statistics
Aggregated from the professional profiles of matched freelancers.
Experience
22 years (Germany: 24 years)
Position duration
3.2 years (Germany: 4.1 years)
Positions per freelancer
11
Top business areas
Information Technology, Product Development, Project Management
Top industries
Information Technology, Manufacturing, Professional Services
Certification focus areas
Information Technology, Project Management, Quality Assurance
Bachelor's degree or higher
92% (Germany: 87%)
Master's degree or higher
38% (Germany: 54%)
Doctorate
23% (Germany: 12%)
Certifications per freelancer
4 (Germany: 3)
Most common languages
German, English, French
Speak two or more languages
94% (Germany: 95%)
Based on our profile pool as of 28 Aug 2026.
Daily rate distribution
The chart shows how the daily rates of freelancers in this role in Essen are distributed, based on recent contracts on our platform. Each bar covers a rate range — its height shows how many freelancers charge within that range.
Average rates for Managing Directors in Essen
Rates are based on recent contracts and do not include FRATCH margin.
The average daily rate is the mean of all daily rates from recent contracts of comparable freelancers on our platform.
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 Aug 2026. Actual rates may vary depending on seniority level, experience, skill specialization, project complexity, and engagement length.
About the role
Full mandate A managing director takes ownership of the business case, the operating model, and the daily decisions that keep the company moving. This role is often brought in as an interim managing director, MD, or general manager when leadership must be stable from day one.
- Lead a unit, subsidiary, or project company
- Align commercial goals with operations and finance
- Set priorities, structure reporting, and manage stakeholders
- Steer turnaround, growth, integration, or launch work
What they deliver A strong managing director is not just a figurehead. They create clarity, set pace, and make sure teams execute.
- A clear action plan for the leadership mandate
- Transparent ownership across sales, operations, and finance
- Executive communication with owners, boards, and key clients
- Decisions on staffing, process, and budget pressure points
Core skills The best candidates combine strategy with hands-on control. They can read a balance sheet, lead managers, and speak to the market without losing focus on delivery.
- Commercial judgment and P&L responsibility
- Leadership in change, scale-up, or crisis situations
- Strong reporting, negotiation, and stakeholder management
- Familiarity with ERP, CRM, and standard management reporting
- Clear communication in English and, for Essen-based work, often German as well
Tools and context A managing director may work with SAP, Excel-based controlling, CRM systems, and board reporting packs. In Essen, this is especially relevant for industrial suppliers, energy-related businesses, logistics, and established mid-sized companies that need disciplined leadership. Remote work can cover preparation, reporting, and steering; on-site presence is often useful for team alignment, customer visits, and sensitive change topics.
When companies bring one in Companies usually hire a freelance managing director when speed matters, when the seat is temporarily open, or when the situation needs a neutral hand.
- Vacancy bridge after a departure
- Restructuring, carve-out, or merger support
- Launch of a new market, site, or business line
- Conflict resolution between ownership and management
- Interim leadership while a permanent search runs
What strong people stand out on A good managing director is measured by outcomes, not title. They stay calm under pressure, make decisions with limited information, and keep people aligned.
- They ask the right questions early
- They build trust with owners and employees
- They keep the mandate practical and measurable
- They know when to delegate and when to intervene
- They leave behind a structure the next leader can use
Frequently asked questions
Key details about Managing Directors, drawn from the questions we get asked most.
A managing director usually takes full responsibility for leadership, execution, and stakeholder coordination. That can include P&L ownership, team management, customer escalation, reporting, and steering change. In an interim mandate, the focus is often on stability first and transformation second.
An interim MD makes sense when the company needs leadership now, but the long-term solution is not ready yet. That is common after a resignation, during restructuring, or while a board runs a careful search. It also works well when the mandate is temporary and highly specific.
The titles can overlap, but the scope is not always the same. A managing director usually sits closer to ownership, board, or group leadership and carries broader responsibility for the whole business unit. A general manager may be more operational, while a country manager often focuses on one market setup.
Look for leadership under pressure, clear financial thinking, and strong stakeholder control. A good managing director can read the business quickly, set priorities, and communicate decisions in a way that teams follow. Experience with turnaround, growth, or integration is often a strong sign.
In Essen, companies often look for a managing director in industrial, logistics, energy-related, and mid-sized business settings. The role is also relevant for subsidiaries, branch offices, and businesses that need a steady hand during change. Local presence can matter when works councils, site teams, or key customers are involved.
Yes, but not every part of the mandate works well remotely. A managing director can handle reporting, planning, and many management meetings online, while on-site time helps with team trust, conflict resolution, and major operational decisions. The right setup depends on the company’s situation and internal maturity.
Ask for concrete examples that match your mandate, not just a polished career story. A strong managing director can explain what changed, how they handled resistance, and what result followed. References, decision style, and the ability to speak clearly about numbers and people matter more than title alone.
Freelancers should expect a high level of responsibility and direct access to decision makers. As a managing director, you are often hired to create order in a complex situation, so clarity on mandate, authority, and reporting lines is essential. The best assignments give room to lead, but also define where the limits are.
The average hourly rate for Managing Directors in Essen is 128 €, which corresponds to a daily rate of about 1,027 € based on an 8-hour working day.
Of the freelancers working as Managing Directors in Essen, 92% hold at least a Bachelor's degree, 38% hold at least a Master's degree, and 23% hold a doctorate.
On average, freelancers working as Managing Directors in Essen have 22 years of professional experience, with a single engagement typically lasting around 3.2 years.
The most common languages among freelancers working as Managing Directors in Essen are German (100%), English (89%), and French (22%).
The most common industries among freelancers working as Managing Directors in Essen are Information Technology (67%), Manufacturing (67%), and Professional Services (67%).
The most common business areas among freelancers working as Managing Directors in Essen are Information Technology (72%), Product Development (72%), and Project Management (72%).
FRATCH Managing Directors main locations
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Philipp Thomaschewski
FRATCH CEO
