Operations Manager
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Meet FRATCH Operations Managers
Fred K.
Last position:
Project Manager Digital Restructuring at Northrop Grumman LITEF GmbH
Assignment focus: Leading digital restructuring in a highly regulated Defence and Aerospace environment. Focus areas: improving data flows and data quality, introducing paperless data collection in production, integrating machine data for automatic SPC calculation and process control, as well as cybersecurity analyses.
Main objectives:
- Analyze, structure and improve data flows and data quality in production
- Introduce paperless data collection in manufacturing areas
- Integrate machine data for automatic SPC data calculation and process control
- Implement digital restructuring while meeting regulatory requirements in the Defence environment
Measures and results:
- Analyzed and structured existing production data flows as a basis for control and reporting
- Established mechanisms to ensure data quality and availability across manufacturing areas
- Introduced paperless data collection in production — replacing manual and paper-based processes
- Integrated machine data for automatic SPC data calculation (control charts, Cp/Cpk) and real-time process control
- Conducted cybersecurity analyses in the production and IT environments
Area of responsibility: Project management for digital restructuring, paperless production, data management and data quality in a highly regulated Defence and Aerospace environment.
Dejan M.
Last position:
Head of Security - Hotel Security Services at HOTEL KRONE LECH
- Set up and managed operational security in an upscale seasonal hotel. Responsible for staff training, risk analysis, emergency and access management, security documentation, and coordination with hotel management, employees, guests, partners and authorities.
Matthias S.
Last position:
Lecturer in Software Management at GraubĂĽnden University of Applied Sciences
- Design and delivery of the university module “Software Management” in the Bachelor’s degree program in Artificial Intelligence in Software Engineering
- Teaching software project management, project organization, stakeholder management, risk and quality management, and agile and hybrid project management
- Coverage of release planning, cut-over, go-live, handover to operations, and the operational impact of technical decisions
- Combining methodological foundations with experience from software development, customer projects, delivery, release management, testing, and IT operations
- Use of AI in software and project management
Methods and tools: Software project management, HERMES, PRINCE2, Scrum, Kanban, hybrid approaches, requirements engineering, risk and quality management, release management, test management, Moodle
Robert K.
Last position:
Interim Manager | Group Manager in the IT Operations & Digitalization division „Databases, Operations & Support" (DOS) at Landwirtschaftliche RentenBank
- Functional management and further development of a team of 28 IT employees (internal & external) in the areas of HelpDesk / HelpLine, RHEL (Red Hat), MUREX (trading system & applications), SAP basic operations
- Management of external service providers (including FI-TS for SAP basic operations)
- Personnel, resource and budget planning for the IT department and projects
- Introduction and establishment of regular communication formats (regular meetings, team and cross-departmental meetings)
- Ensuring application operations in a hybrid environment (Windows / Linux with database and web/application servers)
- Support for transformation projects to modernize the application landscape (e.g. DevOps approaches)
- Building and introducing digital IT procurement for hardware & software (e.g. with DELL)
- Development and management of the „IT Operations DOS" department based on the company strategy
- Preparation of management reports & decision papers on IT projects, optimization potential and automation opportunities
- Representing the department in Rentenbank committees and ensuring regulatory compliance (BaFin §44, DSGVO, BSI, MaRisk)
Vicky L.
Last position:
Lead Product Manager, Operational Excellence at GoFractional Engagement
- Strategy: Embedded full time in a scaleup to identify the cross team problems blocking company growth, particularly delivery speed and customer satisfaction.
- Problem Discovery: Ran 50+ interviews with internal team members and functional leads, identified 100+ problems and pain points across the organisation, then ran 10 workshops with executives and stakeholders to group findings into themes and build a prioritisation framework.
- Solution: Redesigned the entire subscription management experience for customers and the internal workflows supporting it across 5 teams, reducing manual work by 80% and improving CSAT from 3.8 to 4.1.
Anja F.
Last position:
Interim HR Process Management / Process Documentation at Klinikum NĂĽrnberg
Klinikum NĂĽrnberg
Healthcare · approx. 10,000 employees; around 100 employees in HR
Mandate focus:
HR processes, document control and interface quality
- Recorded and structured inconsistent HR processes and cleaned up contradictory documentation.
- Coordinated work instructions, process maps, forms and diagrams for TVöD, TV-Ärzte and other employee groups.
- Clarified responsibilities, document storage and interfaces; revised Draw.io diagrams and reported to HR management.
Areas of expertise: HR Process Management, HR Operations, HR Governance, HR Documentation
Julia K.
Last position:
IT Project Manager Interface Implementation at SSI Schäfer GmbH & Co. KG
Objective: Consulting in IT project management for interface management, with the aim of driving the structural transformation toward global systems in the cloud
Activities:
- Process design in the source system: Analyzing and developing processes for the efficient provision of data from source systems
- Data definition: Precisely defining the data records to be transferred and ensuring data quality
- Process design in the target system: Designing and developing processing processes within the target systems
- Technical consulting for the IT implementation team within an iPaaS system
- Quality assurance: Planning, leading and documenting User Acceptance Tests (UAT) to ensure the functional requirements
- Project completion & handover: Formal handover of the implemented interfaces, including complete technical documentation, to IT operations
Tools: Jira, Confluence, Office 365
Plamen M.
Last position:
Head of Service & Operations Management at Raiffeisen Bank International
- Shaping service management framework as part of head office of RBI
- Service owner overseeing IT cloud services, accountable for overall quality, lifecycle, and success
- Managing customer relationships and satisfaction for 10 business units ensuring smooth business continuity and operations
- Single point of contact and service/process owner providing T-shaped expertise in IT domains, cloud platforms and services (AWS, Azure, Kubernetes, Salesforce, ServiceNow, Jira, Orca, CRM, GitHub, SFMC)
- ITSM/ITIL implementation and mentoring including design, definition, mapping, and execution
- Change and release management, UAT/test assurance, major incident management, SDLC management
- Managing regulatory and audit requirements, DORA, GDPR, ITPF compliance and reporting
- Acting as a point of escalation for complex customer issues, resolving conflicts, fostering a customer-centric culture
- People management: leading and managing service delivery teams, DevOps, vendors, and third-party teams
- Cross-tribe service delivery and contract management: KPIs, SLAs, OLAs, RPO, RTO, BCM/SCM management
- Agile/Scrum process delivery governance, stakeholder communication, and budget/cost management
Nadine B.
Last position:
Program Responsibility & Innovation at Industry
- Management of security and governance initiatives
- Development of SAP BTP as an innovation platform
- Trusted advisor to executive management
Philipp S.
Last position:
Self-employed consultant at Schlegtendal solutions
- Business analyst/ project manager/ trainer/ entrepreneur
- Consulting companies in the areas of business analysis, process management, agile project management and organizational development.
- Management of digitalization and transformation projects (LichtBlick SE, E.ON, Co.met, Stromnetz Hamburg)
- Introduction of agile ways of working and development of efficient process and PMO structures
- Successful implementation of a product launch (Idea-to-Market, > 100 Epics over 3 years)
- Creation of requirements specifications, process models and IT concepts
- Coaching and training of specialists and managers (Jira/Confluence, purchasing)
- Development of my own product “TriggaBuddy” – concept, CAD design, 3D printing, utility model
- Consulting assignments: E.ON, LichtBlick SE, Co.Met, Stromnetz Hamburg GmbH
Raphael M.
Last position:
Team Lead / Head of Service Desk & Field Service at B&R Industrial Automation (ABB)
- Owned day-to-day IT operations for Service Desk, Field Service, and on-call support, ensuring business continuity for a multi-site environment
- Led the transition from Lotus Notes incident tracking to ServiceNow, defining process design, workflows, roles, and reporting
- Implemented a modern telephony system with integrated reporting, enabling real-time visibility of volumes, wait times, and SLA adherence
- Launched a customer self-service portal and on-site walk-in support model to improve first-contact resolution and user experience
- Designed, documented, and rolled out SLAs, delivering targeted training for engineers and stakeholders to drive adoption and compliance
- Acted as process owner for service operations, establishing operating procedures, request/change/incident interfaces, and quality controls
- Partnered with business and IS/OT stakeholders to prioritize demand, reduce operational risk, and improve service reliability
Stefan U.
Last position:
Workstream Lead Solution Delivery / IT Operations Manager SAP S4/HANA Private Cloud Edition - RISE at Munich Re
- Lead Solution Delivery workstream
- Serve as IT Operations Manager ad interim
- Define, implement, and continuously optimize the Target Operating Model
- Design and implement incident and problem management processes
- Develop, maintain, and execute business continuity and disaster recovery plans, including DR testing
- Ensure system availability, performance, scalability, and compliance with SLAs
- Liaise between business stakeholders, SAP Basis teams, managed service providers, and cloud vendors
- Oversee incident, change, and problem management processes per ITIL best practices
- Lead service reviews and vendor performance evaluations
- Coordinate patching, upgrades, and enhancement cycles with SAP AG and application operations teams
- Monitor system health, performance, and security using SAP for Me
- Collaborate with IT security, infrastructure, and network teams to ensure system integrity
- Create, track, and manage project-related firewall requests
- Develop, coordinate, and deliver cutover activities for targeted system lines
Jörg N.
Last position:
Operations Manager at Stichting for GO!PHA
Took over operations for a foundation. Introduced clear structures and processes:
- Created clarity regarding financial status and cleared the backlog
- Created transparency for the Executive Board, including governance
- Launched an online shop: requirements management, vendor selection, implementation
- Set up processes for member management
- Contributed to strategic realignment
Aftab R.
Last position:
QA Operations Manager at Novartis Technical Operations Austria
- Working as QA Operations Manager due to network transformation at Novartis.
JĂĽrgen S.
Last position:
Manager Manufacturing Operations USP at Thermo Fisher Scientific
- Liquida, aseptic/sterile, fill & finish, solida in production & packaging
- CAPEX/Greenfield, 5kL SUT Owner, CVQ, runs/SCM/SCORE, SFM, KPI, CAD, CQV, MSAT, trainings, audits, EHS
- Organization, construction, sterile production, operations, packaging, PPQ, Op-readiness, RM, audits, documentation authoring
Discover over 15,000 top freelancers
Operations Managers statistics
Aggregated from the professional profiles of matched freelancers.
Experience
21 years
Position duration
2.6 years
Positions per freelancer
10
Top business areas
Operations, Project Management, Information Technology
Top industries
Professional Services, Information Technology, Manufacturing
Certification focus areas
Project Management, Human Resources, Information Technology
Bachelor's degree or higher
83%
Master's degree or higher
48%
Doctorate
5%
Certifications per freelancer
3
Most common languages
German, English, French
Speak two or more languages
100%
Based on our profile pool as of 20 Oct 2026.
Daily rate distribution
The chart shows how the daily rates of experts in this role are distributed, based on recent contracts on our platform. Each bar covers a rate range — its height shows the share of experts charging within that range.
Average rates for Operations Managers
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 20 Oct 2026. Actual rates may vary depending on seniority level, experience, skill specialization, project complexity, and engagement length.
Operations Managers experts industry focus
See which industries our matched freelancers work in most often — every figure is calculated live from the freelancers on FRATCH.
- Professional Services (51%)
- Information Technology (49%)
- Manufacturing (48%)
- Automotive (41%)
- Banking and Finance (36%)
- Retail (31%)
- Energy (28%)
- Transportation (28%)
Please note that freelancers can work across multiple industries, so percentages overlap.
About the role
Driving Efficiency and Scalability
Optimizing workflows and scaling business units require a hands-on leader who can translate strategic goals into daily execution. Freelance operations managers step in during rapid growth phases, restructuring, or post-merger integrations to align departments, eliminate bottlenecks, and implement robust operational frameworks.
Core Responsibilities and Deliverables
- Streamlining supply chain logistics and procurement processes
- Implementing ERP systems and operational software tools
- Defining and monitoring key performance indicators across departments
- Standardizing standard operating procedures to ensure quality control
- Managing resource allocation and budgeting for key business units
When to Onboard a Freelance Operations Leader
Companies typically bring in an external operations specialist when facing sudden leadership vacancies, executing major digital transformations, or setting up new production facilities. A freelance expert provides immediate relief without the long-term commitment of a permanent executive search, delivering objective analysis and rapid implementation of best practices.
Key Competencies of Top Professionals
Successful operations specialists possess deep expertise in methodologies like Lean, Six Sigma, and Agile project management. They are adept at managing cross-functional teams, resolving operational friction, and leveraging data analytics to make informed decisions. Strong communication skills enable them to bridge the gap between executive strategy and front-line execution.
Frequently asked questions
What clients ask us most about Operations Managers — answered in short.
A freelance operations manager oversees daily business activities, optimizes workflows, and ensures resources are used efficiently. They analyze existing workflows, identify bottlenecks, and implement structured processes to improve overall productivity. Their goal is to align day-to-day execution with the broader strategic objectives of the company.
While a project manager focuses on temporary endeavors with specific start and end dates, an operations lead manages ongoing business processes and continuous organizational functions. Project managers deliver unique results under constraints, whereas operations specialists ensure the daily machine runs smoothly, sustainably, and cost-effectively.
Bringing in an interim COO is ideal during periods of rapid transition, such as sudden executive departures, post-merger integrations, or restructuring phases. A freelancer provides immediate, objective expertise to stabilize operations and can guide the department until a permanent replacement is onboarded.
Any sector undergoing rapid change or scaling challenges benefits from hiring a business operations manager, including manufacturing, e-commerce, logistics, and technology. They bring specialized knowledge in areas like supply chain optimization, inventory control, and digital system integration tailored to the specific industry dynamics.
A top-tier operations consultant is evaluated by their track record of successful process optimization, cost reduction, and change management. Look for concrete experience in your specific industry, proficiency with ERP systems, and the ability to present clear case studies of past operational turnarounds.
Many responsibilities of a modern operations director, such as digital workflow mapping, system implementation, and KPI tracking, can be handled efficiently in a remote setup. However, physical manufacturing, logistics, or on-site team building often require a hybrid model with regular on-site presence to understand local challenges firsthand.
A skilled operations manager utilizes a variety of software tools, including ERP platforms like SAP or Microsoft Dynamics, project management tools like Asana and Jira, and data analytics dashboards. They also employ process mapping software to visualize workflows and identify inefficiencies before redesigning business procedures.
The duration depends on the scope, but most assignments for an interim operations manager range from several months to a year. Short-term projects might focus on a specific audit or software rollout, while long-term engagements usually cover comprehensive organizational restructuring or scaling initiatives.
The average hourly rate for Operations Managers is 118 €, which corresponds to a daily rate of about 945 € based on an 8-hour working day.
Of the freelancers working as Operations Managers, 83% hold at least a Bachelor's degree, 48% hold at least a Master's degree, and 5% hold a doctorate.
On average, freelancers working as Operations Managers have 21 years of professional experience, with a single engagement typically lasting around 2.6 years.
The most common languages among freelancers working as Operations Managers are German (99%), English (99%), and French (30%).
The most common industries among freelancers working as Operations Managers are Professional Services (51%), Information Technology (49%), and Manufacturing (48%).
The most common business areas among freelancers working as Operations Managers are Operations (90%), Project Management (88%), and Information Technology (60%).
FRATCH Operations Managers main locations
Our freelancers and interim experts are at home all over Germany — available on-site in Berlin, Hamburg, Munich and every major business hub, or fully remote. Choose a city to discover matched specialists, local market insights and up-to-date availability.
Berlin 
Munich In Austria our freelancers and interim experts support companies from Vienna to Graz — on-site where your project needs them, or fully remote. Choose a city to discover matched specialists, local market insights and up-to-date availability.
Vienna Graz Across Switzerland our specialists are active in Zurich, Geneva, Basel and Bern — working on-site or fully remote. Choose a city to discover matched specialists, local market insights and up-to-date availability.
Zurich Geneva Basel Bern Countries:
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Philipp Thomaschewski
FRATCH CEO
