Managing Directors in Munich

• Scaled truckoo from inception to a profitable 8-figure business, led a team of 20 colleagues, sold vehicles to 23 countries in MEA
• Responsible for launching and scaling the supply-side of the truckoo marketplace: acquire and retain key accounts (> 50 vehicles in fleet), manage SEO & SEA to reach smaller customers, build partnerships with branded or independent truck repair shops (current: 350 across Germany), engage in strategic partnerships (e.g. Deutsche Leasing AG)
• Played a key role in shaping the product roadmap, driving product strategy and direction in close collaboration with my C-Level colleagues
• Built and managed investor relationships, successfully securing funding across three investment rounds
• Led the finance function, managing the monthly and annual financial reporting and managing collaboration with external tax advisors
• Led the HR function, managing recruitment and termination processes while driving company culture, team engagement and employee events

AI Assistance and Target Vision for Partially Autonomous Energy Portfolio Management

Building an AI control layer directly on the up-to-date daily live portfolio of a large energy provider — not as an isolated pilot, but as an operational extension of the existing DB1 and portfolio management. The goal is the gradual development from assistance through monitoring/alerting to analysis agents with Human-in-the-Loop approvals, supplemented by a role-specific System of Engagement alongside the BI System of Record. At the same time, the business case, target vision and management pitch compared with static monthly reporting are being developed.

• AI control layer: Design and build on the existing live portfolio data product (several million contracts) — development stages assistance → monitoring/alerting → agents with Human-in-the-Loop approvals.
• LLM-supported data analysis: Semantic queries, SQL/tool integration and additional RAG components based on portfolio, plan-versus-actual and data quality data (Azure OpenAI, Snowflake), with drill-downs to individual contract level.
• Analysis agents: Multi-stage agents for variance and driver analyses of churn, price adjustments, volumes and procurement costs.
• Views concept: Role-specific interfaces for business units, management and C-level as a System of Engagement alongside the BI System of Record.
• Business case & pitch: Target vision and cost-benefit argumentation compared with static monthly reporting.
• LLM setup (privacy & security): Coordination with IT Security and Data Protection — EU region, data separation and approval processes.
• Agent architecture: Multi-stage agent pipelines (analysis → validation → summary) with documented data sources, tool calls, review steps and source references for each statement.
• Data foundation: Built on the up-to-date daily DB1 data product (Snowflake, dbt) — portfolio, plan-versus-actual and data quality metrics as the common basis for all AI analyses.
• Guardrails & evaluation: Evaluation and approval processes for LLM responses relating to management-relevant statements — test sets, metrics and human review.
• Prototyping & validation: Iterative validation of agent responses with the business unit — test question catalogue, feedback loops and response quality for each release.
• Roadmap & development stages: Detailed stages from assistance → monitoring/alerting → partially autonomous management, including transition criteria and governance for each stage.
• Integration: Integration into the existing BI and data landscape — BI remains the System of Record, while the AI layer provides interactive drill-down paths as the System of Engagement.
• Enablement: Enablement of business users — prompting guides, training and an operating model for ongoing use.
• Management: Coordination of business units, Data Engineering, IT Security and Data Protection.
• Change Management: Communication and expectation management with business units and management throughout the development stages.

Results:

• Built on an existing up-to-date daily data product with several million contracts
• Established an LLM setup coordinated with Data Protection and IT Security in the EU region, including data separation and approvals
• Defined three development stages through to partially autonomous management
• Designed role-specific views for business units, management and C-level
• Developed the business case and management pitch for the development stages
• Established an iterative response-quality validation process with the business unit
• Designed the operating model for assistance operations and initiated validation

Stack: Azure OpenAI, Azure AI Foundry, Snowflake, dbt, React, TypeScript, Entra ID, RAG, Agentic AI, analysis agents, Human-in-the-Loop, Prompt Engineering, LLM Evaluation, LLMOps, GDPR / EU region, Azure DevOps, Python, SQL, Change Management

• Consulting across two integrated areas: Commercial Strategy (pricing, sales steering, marketing strategy, market expansion, margin management) and Operational Efficiency (process automation, AI integration, workflow design, last-mile automation).
• Development of custom SaaS solutions, explicitly tailored to the specific requirements and processes of each company.
• Delivery of AI training and change management workshops for managing directors and specialist departments, including AI competence training with a certificate of attendance under Art. 4 of the EU AI Act.

Consulting and support in sales/business/technology/development/marketing:

• Sales, key account management
• Business development, business/company development
• Partner management
• Program/project management
• Product management & marketing
• Technical marketing, content marketing
• New business, innovation and technologies

Until July /2021, worked as an advisor and consultant for Mixed Mode in key account management, project management and business development.

From Q3/2021, successfully delivered various client projects in business development, company development, consulting, coaching, technical content management, sales and marketing:

• EMS service provider and PCB test house, inspection systems: Revised the company portfolio and its presentation. Integrated specialized distribution for optical inspection systems from Japan: content management, marketing, communication, web, sales automation, lead generation
• Full-service marketing agency – technology marketing for industry: Expanded the existing B2B and B2C marketing portfolio to include industry and technology topics: content management, presentation and positioning for “Technical Marketing”, web, target market and customer analysis, lead automation, consulting
• Software product manufacturer & software development in the field of security for Embedded & IoT: Company positioning and portfolio definition for an IoT and Embedded Security company with a SaaS solution for IoT Device Management: Building a partner network to offer complete Embedded/IoT security solutions, technical content, company positioning and portfolio definition, strategy & planning, target market and customer analysis, product marketing/USPs for the “IoT-Suite” Security Device Management Tool, standards and regulations for cyber resilience (e.g. CRA, NIS2, RED), web content, SEO, management of marketing and sales agencies, CRM, sales, presentations, trade fairs, conferences, company webinars & events
• Software engineering service provider/system integrator for IoT, Embedded, web, mobile and desktop applications: Business development, content creation, customer acquisition and sales
• Manufacturer of memory products with security features as an add-on: Memory products in standard form factors (SD, CF, SSD...) are enhanced with security modules such as HSM, TPM or Secure Elements, offering users secure data storage, transfer and access. Also of interest as an upgrade or retrofit solution to meet upcoming new regulations and requirements for cybersecurity such as CRA, RED and NIS2. Business & New Business Development for the “Embedded IoT Solutions & Security” division, sales & marketing. Expanded the business from semiconductors alone to include security solutions and services. Liaison between management, marketing, sales and product management. Building business partners, technology partners, system integrators and resellers in the Embedded, IoT, OT and IT sectors. Creating reference designs/demos/lighthouse cases and proofs of concept for cross-selling and reference selling. Co-marketing with security partners. Technical content creation for web, sales and marketing, webinars, social media, etc. Networking, attending trade fairs, conferences and events. Lead generation, qualification, follow-up and conversion to customers. Product definition, USPs, features. Competitor analysis, market positioning, target markets – strategy, concept and actions – Go To Market.
• Marketing agency group with sales and business consulting: Consulting for companies on repositioning, market analysis and market entry, Go2Market concepts, customer development and growth, new customer acquisition, lead generation and management, campaign planning and delivery (web, email, social media, phone outreach personally or with an AI voice assistant, webinars...). Preparing and managing customer product data for PIM Product Information and DAM Data Asset Management systems. Focus on customers in the industrial and technology sectors with products and services that require explanation.

• Built Collective Minds as an AI-first company, embedding AI into operating model, delivery and client solutions.
• Built and lead an international offshore delivery organization of 25 professionals, complemented by senior specialists in Germany.
• Act as Interim CDO for ALWITRA, supporting the company-wide digitalization agenda across ERP, CRM, enterprise knowledge, AI, data and operating model.
• Advise managing directors, CIOs and IT leaders on transformation strategy, target operating models, governance, prioritization and execution.
• Own program structures, budgets, staffing, vendor coordination, risks and executive stakeholder communication.
• Develop scalable technology and delivery models across AI, CRM, IAM, integration and manufacturing-related initiatives.

Functional design and specification of key SAP GTS processes, including

• Compliance,
• EU Preference Management and
• Reporting. Translate business requirements into specifications ready for implementation by third-party development teams.

Industries: Complex solutions and products in B2B industries.

• IT Solution: Interim Marketing and Product Portfolio Manager DACH, provider of an online proctoring solution for universities and corporate customers for the fully automated supervision of exams.
• Established the brand in the market as the perceived market leader for automated proctoring solutions. Built important multipliers in the higher education segment and corporate learning environment. Built a sales pipeline and established a targeted lead generation process. Implemented all online and offline media with market-oriented and target group-specific messaging. Developed a PR strategy for regular and crisis-related communication.
• Developed the sales strategy and implemented sales activities. Managed the sales team.
• IT Solution: Provider of an e-ID solution platform
• Conducted a market and potential analysis, evaluated the business plan for the DACH region, and developed target group segmentation. Derived the requirements for product management based on this work. Generated initial pilot projects based on the developed lead generation activities. Developed target group-specific messaging. Developed a PR strategy to position the brand in special-interest media. Developed the ICP and defined the sales approach. Defined customer arguments and added value for sales activities.
• IT Solution: Mid-sized partner of a market-leading solution in the CRM environment
• Analyzed the DACH market potential, developed the business plan, and repositioned the company. Built a lead generation process. Won new projects based on the new direction. Doubled revenue within two years by integrating marketing and sales.
• Energy: Marketing and Product Portfolio Consultant Investment company with more than 200 holdings
• Developed a concept for marketing the various service companies under one umbrella brand. Implemented an event concept for the annual multi-day group meeting. Advised on the selection of a suitable advertising agency.
• Furniture: Product and Marketing Manager Mid-sized furniture manufacturer from Italy
• Analyzed the market potential, assessed the risks and opportunities in the German market, defined the revenue plan for Germany and Austria, developed the G2Market strategy, and positioned the brand in the upper mid-price segment. Won the first specialist retailers. Developed the entire brand story, corporate design, and online and offline communication materials. Won the first end-customer projects.
• IT Solution: Interim Marketing and Product Manager DACH portal for electronic signatures
• Launched a solution that was already known in other European countries. Formulated key messages for targeted lead generation. Defined added value tailored to the respective industry and target group. Implemented online activities and a trade fair concept. Won the first pilot customers and built the sales pipeline after 6 months.
• IT Solution: Interim Marketing Director and Product Management for a Mid-Sized ITSM Consulting Firm
• Repositioned the company. Established it as a relevant partner between large corporations. Built a lead generation process. Harmonized sales and marketing. Successfully built the sales pipeline. Connected license and professional services. Developed a PR strategy. Developed the sales strategy to generate its own leads and reduce dependence on manufacturers. Defined sales processes. Implemented CRM processes to evaluate the pipeline and forecast metrics. Result: revenue increased from 2.5 million to approx. 18 million after 4 years.

• Success-based recruitment
• Fee-based HR support, including active sourcing, applicant management, conducting interviews, HR operations, and outsourcing the application process (RPO)

Project overview: The use of “Generative Pretrained Transformer” (GPT) technologies will greatly change the world of work in the coming years. ITZBund is developing a basic service for this purpose, which can be used by its 200 customers. This basic service is offered both on-premises and in the cloud. Launched in 12/23, production systems (based on the MVP) had already been successfully rolled out and operated for several authorities and federal ministries by 05/24.

Project metrics:

• 2024 budget approx. 20 Mio €
• approx. 70 people directly involved in the project
• regular (indirect) contact with approx. 80 people in the wider project environment

My main responsibilities:

• Overall responsibility as external project manager
• Project definition phase/ Project setup and establishment of the project organization
• Strategic and operational project planning, as well as project design and ongoing adjustments
• Ongoing coordination with the project owner and stakeholders at ITZBund
• Ongoing coordination with sub-project managers, agile roles, and other project team members
• Responsibility for project controlling, quality management, risk management, and change management
• Responsibility for providing the basic service in on-premises and cloud environments and its ongoing development
• Planning and leading several hypercare phases
• Collaboration and ongoing coordination with a federal ministry partner project and delivery of an MVP
• Coordination with the agile teams
• Coordination with operations, release, and deployment
• Responsibility for delivering initial customer projects
• Responsibility for developing AI governance
• Ensuring accessibility (BITV)
• Responsibility for setting up a sub-project for marketing activities
• Support in setting up an efficient proposal process
• Stakeholder management

Approach:

• V-Modell XT ITZBund
• Scrum

Tools used:

• Microsoft Office, Skype, MS Project, Confluence, Jira, Sharepoint, Miro

• Strategic consulting and implementation of AI-supported automation solutions for service processes (email communication, document handling, review processing, voice agents)
• Technical orchestration using n8n (workflow automation), Claude and ChatGPT (LLMs), as well as custom API integrations into existing enterprise tools
• Measurable customer results: response times reduced from hours to minutes, 8 fewer hours of invoice processing per week, 75% fewer routine calls
• Assessment of regulatory requirements (GDPR, compliance) as part of customer consulting
• Technical Product Ownership (backlog, roadmap, prioritization)
• Formal contracting vehicle for freelance assignments, including 1&1 Telecommunications
• Building & scaling enterprise AI platforms

• Strategic and operational responsibility for a specialized agency focused on UX Writing & Content Strategy
• Product development, client acquisition, and the creation and strategic development of UX writing systems for clients in the IT and finance industries

• Analyzing business challenges with ~20% effort to drive ~80% output, ensuring clear priorities, structures and actionable recommendations that deliver rapid, measurable results.
• Driving holistic business transformation, customer focus, go-to-market strategy and KPI-driven performance.
• Acting as a trusted C-Level advisor and sparring partner to turn strategy into measurable results.
• Helping CEOs, founders and leadership teams in businesses of all sizes to strengthen growth and profitability.

• Support for the reorganization process of the GMP QA system
• Review, adaptation and restructuring of the PQR process and documentation
• Review, adaptation and restructuring of the GMP warehousing process and documentation
• Support / consulting on GMP processes (deviations / complaints / others)
• Review, adaptation and restructuring of GMP and GDP interfaces / processes