QAD Experts in Germany

Responsibility: Management of the Group's finance and central functions in Europe including Controlling, FP&A, Accounting, Treasury, Tax, Legal and IT. Responsibility for value creation, exit readiness, M&A integration and business transformation with P&L responsibility of EUR 200 million.

Key achievements:

• Earnings improvement: Increased EBITDA and liquidity through working capital measures and reduced HQ costs.
• Exit readiness & financing: Expanded investor reporting, governance and controls; managed investor and banking relationships as well as refinancing and capital structure measures.
• Buy-and-build readiness: Prepared the Group for international acquisitions and the integration of new dermatology platforms.
• Reporting & IT transformation: Implemented, optimized and went live with a new LucaNet solution for Group reporting and consolidation, and achieved faster closing as well as modernization of scalable IT systems for greater transparency and performance management.
• Establishment of the Dutch platform: Established and restructured the platform and took over its commercial and operational management, including the introduction of a new ERP system (AFAS).

• Accounting, controlling and reporting, taxes, risk management, treasury, credit management, legal matters, internal control/SOX, HR, IT, cooperation with auditors, tax advisors and public authorities
• Logistics, production and HACCP, occupational safety and veterinary and hygiene regulations (food production)
• Due Diligence, M&A, company demergers, crisis management, project management

Selected interim projects:

• Twistcafe (Fastfood restaurants) – Interim CFO (worldwide): Resolution of problems with accounting and tax documents for the annual financial statements of the German and Austrian subsidiaries; standardization of accounting for intercompany transfers of raw materials and cash (CZ, SK, DE, AT, PL); automation of recharging discount campaigns and cashless payments; improvements to cost center accounting (200+ CCs)
• VIB Vermögen AG (Branicks Group, Real Estate) – Interim Head of Accounting (DE): HGB annual financial statements for 19 companies without complications; IFRS consolidated financial statements without complications; automation of consolidation measures (debt consolidation, expense and income consolidation); automation of reporting
• NTT (Telecommunications) – Interim Senior Controller (DE): Simplification, standardization and automation of month-end closing activities (accruals for customer and supplier rebates, order backlogs, accrued revenues, monthly GP adjustments), including SOX compliance documentation; balance sheet reconciliation; improvement of loyalty reporting
• Lilium (Aerospace) – Interim Senior Accountant (DE): Tax line corrections; asset migration from Datev to Infor LN for two companies, including improvement of data quality; automation of the processing of interim asset investments and asset additions; successful SOX closing audit for fixed assets leading to the US stock market listing
• Brose (Automotive) – Interim Head of Controlling (CZ): Successful Forecast III; simplification and automation of calculations and reporting (hourly rates, temporary workers, monthly reports, scrap and external rework, direct personnel costs); platform change for the monthly management board meeting
• LUST Hybrid-Technik (Pankl-SHW Industries, Manufacturing) – Interim Finance Controller (DE): Monthly and annual financial statements (including inventory valuation, cost and performance accounting), budget-to-actual comparisons, variance analyses, ad hoc evaluations, forecast preparation, automation
• Gebr. Bode (Schaltbau Group, Manufacturing) – Interim Head of Accounting (DE): Annual financial statements without complications; simplification and automation of liquidity planning; automation of the open items report, standardization of intercompany reconciliations; introduction and automation of the fixed assets report
• Hyva Georg Hydraulik (Manufacturing) – Interim Senior Accountant/Finance Manager (DE): Simplification and automation of VAT returns, Intrastat and other statistical reports; automation of the fixed assets report; introduction and automation of CC report/forecast and temporary worker accruals; master data correction
• Beiersdorf (FMCG) – Interim Finance Manager (DE/SK): Transfer from the local finance department in Slovakia to the SSC Hamburg
• Trèves (Automotive) – Interim Plant Controller/Head of Finance & Controlling (CZ): Identification of weaknesses; implementation of controlling processes for the purchasing process (PR/PO/GR), payroll, energy costs, ICO accounting, CC reporting
• Hella Slovakia Signal-Lighting (Automotive) – Interim Head of Controlling (SK): 10% reduction of receivables open items; automation of reporting (Capex, Cost Center, Maintenance Costs); standardization and automation of inventory and receivables impairment
• Tunap Cosmetics (FMCG) – Interim Finance Manager (DE): Reduction of DSO by 21 days in four months; balance sheet cleanup (fixed assets, provisions, prepaid expenses); reduction of unprocessed invoices in the workflow by 1.2 million EUR during the annual closing; automation of impairments, controls and reporting
• Hanon Systems Autopal (Automotive) – Interim Finance Controller (CZ): Identification of weaknesses; automation of CC report and orders; automation of inventory and receivables impairment
• Drägerwerk (Manufacturing) – Interim Finance Controller (CZ): FI/CO management, process audit, investment incentives, accounting accuracy, SAP settings (FI/CO, MM)
• Maxim Chicken (FMCG) – Interim Head of Finance and Controlling (CZ): Introduction of new products for gastronomy with increased sales; introduction of cash flow forecasting; reduction of variable and fixed costs (raw materials, real estate leasing); successful veterinary inspection
• Trelleborg Automotive Czech Republic (Automotive) – Interim Plant Controller/Head of Finance (CZ); Carbody Czech Republic (Automotive) – Interim Plant Controller/Head of Finance (CZ): Accounting correction; company demerger with SAP split; introduction of cash flow forecasting; factoring
• Kantar Media (WPP Group, Media) – Interim Finance Manager (CZ): Automation of the US GAAP report; reduction of fixed costs (supplier contracts, personnel costs); implementation of standard processes; successful SOX audit; relocation of production

• Special topics such as IFRS 9 / posting of complex syndicated loans
• Accounting for 2 subsidiaries

• Responsibility for group-wide financial management with a focus on management, PE, and lender reporting.
• Focus on an integrated financial model (P&L, balance sheet, cash flow), robust liquidity and covenant management, and preparation of decision-ready materials for financiers, auditors, and rating stakeholders.
• Establishment of reporting standards, data logic, and closing routines for high-frequency scalability.
• Further development of an integrated financial model (P&L/BS/CF), including scenario capabilities, sensitivities, and driver-based forecasting logic.
• Design and management of a rolling liquidity plan (short-/mid-term), including working capital mechanisms and financing instruments.
• Preparation and quality assurance of lender reporting, including covenant calculations, bridge analyses, and variance explanations.
• Support for the CFO agenda in financier and stakeholder communication (Q&A, documentation logic, key messages, data consistency).
• Coordination and content input for rating- and financing-related deliverables (e.g., presentations, data rooms, management commentary).
• Management of IFRS/accounting topics (e.g., IFRS 16 lease logic, accrual and reconciliation concepts) to ensure reporting and audit readiness.
• Standardization of reporting structures, templates, and KPI definitions across entities to increase transparency, comparability, and speed.

• Headed the establishment of a procurement organisation in Europe, including Lead-Buyer and NPD Buyer roles for the region as well as e-procurement and procurement tools.
• Started global sourcing.
• Drove increase in savings by three times from 2019 to 2020, reduced suppliers by 10%, quality complaints by 15% and improved on-time delivery by 10%.
• Inspired a high-performance team of more than 60 purchasing managers, regional lead buyers, supervisors supplier quality, supplier quality engineers, commodity buyers, NPD buyers and planner buyers through regular training, coaching and mentoring.
• Administered a spending budget of $200M for more than 10 production plants and regional distribution centres in Europe.
• Reduced costs by 3% EBITDA increase through effective negotiation, standardisation, VEVA/design to cost, BCCS, SCM, benchmarking, MoB, buy and resale, market analysis, relocation, outsourcing, insourcing and consolidation activities.
• Supervised formulation and implementation of category strategies with a rolling forecast by category.
• Set up SSC in Hungary including NPD, commodity and supplier quality function.

• 2024–2025: Strategic Total Rewards project to launch a new corporate total rewards function, including organizational design, job architecture, job grading, salary range design, job benchmarks, design of total rewards key processes, implementation of SuccessFactors Compensation Module at Bauer Media Group, Hamburg

• 2023–2025: International job grading review (job grading with Hay, market benchmark, salary positioning analysis) for 5 000 employees and 750 jobs worldwide at KWS Berlin GmbH, Berlin

• 2023–2024: Job grading project within the context of implementing a new in-house collective agreement for 1 700 employees and 400 different jobs (job architecture, job grading with Hay, salary and cost analyses) at ASML Berlin GmbH, Berlin

• 2023: Realign annual objective setting and bonus (development of objective scorecard, design of variable remuneration, benchmark with external market, communication & change) at Klingele Papierwerke GmbH & Co. KG, Remshalden

• 2023: Compensation & benefits project to create a job map and salary system (including external benchmark) at Emnify GmbH, Berlin

• 2022: Strategic reward project to define a job architecture and benefit scheme at Comgy GmbH, Berlin

• 2022: HR set-up of OpenRad Germany (carve-out; former part of medneo Group), Berlin

• 2022: Creation of a job architecture (job description, job evaluation, job levels), implementation of a salary benchmark and definition of career paths at MCL IT GmbH, Böblingen

• 2022: Redesign of the compensation & benefits model (job grading, salary benchmark, benefit review) at kbrw SAS, Paris, France

• 2021–2022: Improvement of the people experience (including Workday improvements), the HR organization and HR processes at Mister Spex SE, Berlin

• 2021–2022: Interim Head of People Operations, Compensation & Benefits and HR IS at Mister Spex SE, Berlin

Permanent clients: TUCOWS Inc. (Toronto, Canada); bibliotheca Group (Cheadle, UK); QAD Europe Group (Warsaw, Poland); Epredia Group (Kalamazoo, Michigan, US); FIRST Event & Marketing Group (Dublin, Ireland)

• In a traditional third-generation company in the field of surface finishing of single parts as well as small and large series in the metal and plastics industry, the quality management system according to DIN EN ISO 9001:2015 was completely revised and aligned to practical needs. As an external quality management representative (QMB), the preparation and follow-up of internal and external audits as well as certification audits were among the main tasks. Other activities included the creation of management reports, the review and active revision of quality assurance agreements, and the training of employees. Through targeted measures, the complaint rate was successfully reduced.
• As part of a part-time assignment, a quality management system according to DIN ISO 9001:2015 was introduced and implemented in a tool shop with around 40 employees working in a 3-shift system. This included creating the complete documentation, such as the quality manual, management review, work and process instructions, forms and procedures, as well as training the employees. In addition, the preparation and follow-up of internal and external audits as well as certification audits were carried out. The certification was successfully passed with flying colors. The assignment ended after 5 months, during which the internal quality management representative was successfully trained.
• As part of an interim assignment as head of quality management at an international automotive supplier for well-known OEMs in the field of body sheet metal parts, the quality management system according to IATF 16949:2016 was completely revised and aligned in a practical way. This included streamlining processes, creating management reports, and preparing and following up internal and external audits as well as certification audits. Customer visits were also organized and supported, and the further qualification of employees was driven forward. Complaint handling was carried out using methods such as 8D, 5-Why, and Ishikawa. In addition, the quality team was led in a disciplinary role and complaint costs were successfully reduced. Quality assurance agreements were reviewed and actively revised. The interim assignment ended after 6 months due to a permanent hire.
• As part of a root cause analysis, the assembly process of a company producing plastic housings for the integration of electronic components to amplify GPS signals was examined. After delivery of the assemblies, cracks increasingly appeared in the plastic housings, allowing water to enter and causing the assemblies to fail. By identifying opportunities for improvement in the material, assembly, and sealing, targeted improvement measures could be implemented. After redesigning and optimizing the assembly line, the cause of the failure was permanently eliminated. This led to a significant increase in customer satisfaction and a significant reduction in scrap costs.
• As part of an interim assignment as head of quality management at an international automotive supplier for well-known OEMs, the quality management system according to IATF 16949:2016 was completely revised and aligned in a practical way. The tasks included the preparation and follow-up of internal and external audits as well as certification audits, the introduction of CAQ software, and complaint handling using methods such as 8D, 5-Why, Ishikawa, and problem-solving sheets. Processes were also streamlined and realigned, management reports were created, and customer visits were supported. The further qualification of employees and cooperation with internal and external material testing companies and suppliers were also actively promoted. In addition, the disciplinary leadership of 16 quality management employees and a successful reduction in complaint costs were part of the role. Quality assurance agreements were reviewed and actively revised. The interim assignment ended after 20 months due to a permanent hire.
• In preparation for the recertification of DIN ISO 9001:2015 for a globally active industrial company in Lower Saxony with 1,200 employees, the implementation of internal audits across the entire company was organized. This included planning, carrying out, and documenting the audits as well as reporting and tracking measures. In addition, the coordination of the implementation of the identified improvement opportunities was ensured. The audit was successfully passed, confirming the company's sustainable compliance with quality standards.
• Lead auditor 9001-2015, working for three certification bodies.
• After the sale of the traditional injection molding company to a new owner, a comprehensive restructuring was carried out. The goal was to optimize production processes, especially by reducing setup times, improving tool provision, preheating, and material flow, as well as minimizing downtime and scrap. Further measures included introducing an organized material and color batch warehouse, structured workstations, and efficient work routes. In addition, investments were made in modern operating equipment and the focus was placed on securing customer orders and jobs. Processes were streamlined to increase the company's efficiency and competitiveness in the long term.
• As an external quality management representative (QMB) for an international manufacturer and supplier of plain and rolling bearing technology, the quality management system according to DIN EN ISO 9001:2015 was fully revised and aligned to practical needs. The tasks included the preparation and follow-up of internal and external audits as well as certification audits. Complaint handling processes were also optimized according to the 8D method in order to respond more efficiently and in a more targeted way to customer feedback. Other activities included creating management reports, further training employees, reviewing and revising quality assurance agreements, and recording and reducing internal complaint costs. Through targeted measures, the complaint rate was significantly reduced and costs were considerably lowered.
• As part of an interim assignment as head of quality management at a renowned automotive supplier in Germany, the quality management department of a company whose products are used in many premium vehicles was supported. The tasks included maintaining customer portals, coordinating internal quality assurance employees, creating IMDS entries, and preparing and submitting sample submissions according to APQP and PPAP. In addition, the internal quality management system according to ISO 9001:2015 was further expanded and optimized. Other key areas were support for customer, certification, and customer audits as well as the further qualification of the existing quality management employees in the company.
• As part of an assignment as an external quality management representative (QMB) in an injection molding and toolmaking company in the plastics industry, an outdated QM system was brought up to date and adapted to the specific needs of the company. The complete revision and practical alignment of the quality management system according to DIN EN ISO 9001:2015 was carried out in close cooperation with the departments. The tasks included the preparation and follow-up of internal and external audits as well as certification audits, creating management reports, and reviewing and revising quality assurance agreements. In addition, complaint costs were significantly reduced and employees were trained in relevant quality processes. The assignment ended after 2 years due to a long-term alternative in a permanent position.
• As part of preparing a globally active textile company for its first project-related VDA 6.3 audit by its end customer (OEM), the company's quality management system was aligned with the specific requirements of the automotive industry. The goal was to integrate the VDA requirements into the existing ISO 9001:2015 quality management system. This included adapting processes, documenting relevant procedures, and training employees. The audit was successfully passed, confirming the company's suitability for the automotive industry.
• As part of an interim assignment as head of quality management at a global company in the field of exhaust gas recirculation systems, the main goal was to resolve major quality problems in produced components. Measures included setting up a Q-gate to identify quality problems at an early stage, as well as feeding problems back into the previous production stages for root cause analysis. In close cooperation with the upstream departments, solutions were developed for production issues. In addition, employees were trained on defect characteristics and knowledge tests were introduced to strengthen quality awareness. These measures significantly reduced scrap rates and complaints and restored customer confidence. As a result, follow-up projects were successfully placed with the customer. In addition, the interim manager took over disciplinary leadership of the quality area in both plants. The project ended successfully with a planned permanent position with the client.
• On behalf of a German OEM, a quality project was carried out at a Southern European supplier to analyze and solve recurring functional failures in a component. The goal was to identify the causes of the quality problems and, together with the supplier, develop measures that were then monitored for compliance. During a process review at the supplier, various irregularities in the production process were discovered, which had caused the functional failures. Measures were agreed on together and immediately integrated into the production process. The implementation and continuous monitoring of these measures led to a clear improvement in quality and the stabilization of the redesigned processes after a short time. A follow-up audit, carried out on the basis of a comprehensive sample, confirmed the success of the measures. No further production problems or irregularities could be found, and the supplier had regained its usual high performance.

• Played a key role in shaping the Global Go-to-Market Sales Strategy as a member of the pioneering GKAM team.
• Contributed to the development of new current sensor technologies for Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV) and Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV).
• Technical consulting to OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers regarding LEM Automotive current sensors.
• Identified new business opportunities by evaluating the value proposition of LEM's product portfolio.
• Organized and conducted training sessions for sales teams.
• Established and nurtured relationships with customer design centers.