the problem is usually in the workflows, not in the product. What you need is someone who identifies root causes, stabilises processes, and delivers results.
Interim management, advisory, and project leadership in Operations, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain.
25+ years of experience - McKinsey, FRIWO, VOITH, COMAU, Zobele. 17 of them in China.
Acute situation in Operations, Production, or Supply Chain?
Let's have a confidential conversation - no pitch, no contract pressure.
Two ways to apply the same lever. Both draw on the same operational experience - the difference lies in commitment level and time horizon.
Operational responsibility on a temporary basis - as COO, plant manager, or managing director. When sites hit their limits, transformations stall, or operational pressure rises, I take responsibility where others delegate.
Typical mandates: turnaround, plant management vacancies, crisis stabilisation, restructuring.
Clarifying strategic questions, second opinion before major decisions, sparring during change projects. Without immediate on-site engagement - as a sounding board and external view.
Typical formats: strategy sparring, operations audit, second opinion, mentoring, workshops.
Sparring Call - 30 minutes
You outline a concrete question, I give a first assessment. Free of charge, no commitment.
Concrete, measurable impact - not "operational excellence" as a buzzword, but as a delivery promise.
17 years on the ground, operationally and politically connected. When a mandate has China touchpoints - suppliers, subsidiaries, joint ventures, competitors - experience from both worlds comes into play immediately.
Mandarin at HSK-4 level. Managing director and operations leader on the ground - not a culture consultant.
Seven consecutive years of EUCCC engagement from 2009 to 2016: Board Member → Chair Auto-Components Working Group → Vice President and Chairman Shanghai Chapter (2013-2016).
Operations career from strategy consulting to plant management - and back again. From McKinsey engagement manager focused on Operations and Supply Chain (Aerospace, post-merger integration), through site relocation and working-capital reductions at FRIWO (-EUR 10m; three plants with 20,000 employees), post-merger integration at VOITH/Leadec (clients VW, BMW, Airbus, Daimler), the CEO mandate at COMAU China (1,200 staff, nearly all auto JVs as clients, co-founder of the Chinese Robotics Industry Alliance), the sales and service leadership at DMG MORI (400 staff, EUR 250m/year), to General Manager at Zobele in Shenzhen (2,500 staff; plant relocation without production interruption during COVID).
Areas of focus: operations management, supply chain, lean manufacturing, site relocation, working-capital reduction, post-merger integration, Greater China business. Industries: automotive, robotics, industrial services, FMCG, aerospace, machine tools.
PhD in physics (University of Hamburg, in cooperation with the Max Planck Society). Member of the DDIM - German Association for Interim Management.
Based in Hamburg, deployable worldwide - operationally and politically connected in Europe and China.
Excerpts from LinkedIn recommendations - by former superiors, clients, colleagues, and mandate principals. Full texts on LinkedIn.
Stefan combines strategic thinking with a very pragmatic understanding of how organizations function in practice. What I particularly appreciate is his structured approach to problem solving, his clear judgment, and his ability to translate operational complexity into practical and implementable solutions.
The most approachable and supportive CEO I have had the pleasure of working with. Remarkably hands-on. He understands that you can only truly lead a business when you stay in touch with your team, follow key projects closely, and listen to customer feedback.
His empathetic leadership was next to none. Even when our negotiations were tough, his transparency helped us to gain mutual alignment and reach extraordinary results. While managing thousands of direct labor in his factories, he was always available, helpful and present for his customers.
Stefan acted as a brilliant bridge between China and European companies. Many local friends, strong networking with local authorities - absolutely beneficial to any of his partners.
Op-eds, cover stories, podcast appearances and interviews in European and Chinese business outlets. Only English-language items are listed here; German-language coverage (Deutschlandfunk, FAZ, Capital, China Hot Pod) is on the German press page; the Chinese-language Yicai coverage is on the Chinese press page.
Pools and professional networks I am part of and reachable through.
Initial conversations are non-binding and confidential. Fastest by email or directly via LinkedIn.
