Achim Dohl - Head of Operations

Q: Where is Achim based?

Achim is based in Weinheim, Germany .

Q: What languages does Achim speak?

Achim speaks the following languages: German (Native), English (Advanced) .

Q: How many years of experience does Achim have?

Achim has at least 36 years of experience. During this time, Achim has worked in at least 22 different roles and for 19 different companies . The average length of individual experience is 2 years and 8 months . Note that Achim may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.

Q: What roles would Achim be best suited for?

Based on recent experience, Achim would be well-suited for roles such as: Head of Operations, Managing Director & COO, Managing Director & Co-Founder, COO .

Q: What is Achim's latest experience?

Achim's most recent position is Head of Operations at ZEISS Vision (Vision Technology Solution, VTS) .

Q: What companies has Achim worked for in recent years?

In recent years, Achim has worked for ZEISS Vision (Vision Technology Solution, VTS) , Midge Medical MPS GmbH , DasLab GmbH , and Interim Solution – Achim Dohl .

Q: Which industries is Achim most experienced in?

Achim is most experienced in industries like Manufacturing , Healthcare , and Information Technology (IT) . Achim also has some experience in Retail , Biotechnology , and Food and Beverage .

Q: Which business areas is Achim most experienced in?

Achim is most experienced in business areas like Operations , Strategy and Planning , and Quality Assurance (QA) . Achim also has some experience in Project Management , Production/Manufacturing , and Product Development .

Q: Which industries has Achim worked in recently?

Achim has recently worked in industries like Healthcare , Information Technology (IT) , and Manufacturing .

Q: Which business areas has Achim worked in recently?

Achim has recently worked in business areas like Operations , Product Development , and Strategy and Planning .

Recommended expert

Weinheim, Germany

Experience

Jul 2022 - Present

3 years 8 months

Head of Operations

ZEISS Vision (Vision Technology Solution, VTS)

Production, strategic sourcing, global 2nd level service, SCM, logistics, life cycle management, QA, launch prep
Medical devices according to DIN ISO 13485, MDR, FDA & MDSAP for ophthalmology and opticians
Bridged the management vacancy
Design transfer for two R&D key projects
Set up KPI dashboard
Supply capability master plan 2023
Established life cycle management
Led and developed global service
Coaching high potentials
Built strategic sourcing

Feb 2022 - Jun 2022

5 months

Managing Director & COO

Midge Medical MPS GmbH

Emergency plan and implementation of measures for IVDD and DIN ISO 13485 certification
Set up Midge MPS GmbH and launched a molecular test in May 2022
First Beta Customer Studies
Set up sourcing team and key suppliers
Set up ERP system
Defined value proposition
Strategic shift from 'device driven' to biochemical application
Product homepage (IVDD proof) in 5 weeks
Investor relations strategy
Establishment of focus customer group
Finalized business plan including sales & distribution, service, and customer success team

Jan 2021 - Jan 2022

1 year 1 month

Managing Director & Co-Founder, COO

DasLab GmbH

IP platform for diagnostic tests
€2.3 million revenue, 500,000 tests in the first year
Breakeven in 8 months
Defined value proposition
Implemented partner network (150 locations, 50+ partners)
250,000 tests on the platform in three months
Implemented additional diagnostic tests

Sep 2020 - Dec 2020

4 months

COO

DasLab GmbH

Implemented SaaS for COVID-19 testing
Opened own testing centers
Implemented partner network (TUI, German Red Cross, Johanniter, labs, logistics)
HR and hiring of first employees

Aug 2020 - Sep 2020

2 months

Interim Manager, COO

RPR Group

Business strategy development
COVID-19 testing for corporate customers

Mar 2020 - Jul 2020

5 months

Sabbatical in South America

Jan 2020 - Feb 2020

2 months

Senior Consultant Partner Management

SH PARTNER Trusted Executive Advisors / Karl Storz SE & Co KG

Business development
3 partner management projects in the healthcare sector
Partner management with the Getinge Group
Implementation of innovative ideas in project business (Hospital ONE)
Cooperation with consulting firm Unity

Jan 2018 - Dec 2019

2 years

Fixed-term contract Global OR1 – Integration and Digital Services

Karl Storz SE & Co KG

Management of the OR1 profit center: software and hardware development, sales, marketing, product management, purchasing, planning, order fulfillment, production, service installation and controlling at four locations
Focus on worldwide project sales
Global growth < 25%, record high in 2019 in 80+ countries (+ €27M)
Material savings of €12.7M
Pre-Launch: App Store – Surgical Information System
Completion of the new development of the entire product portfolio
Final adaptation of the OR1 business unit to the new global corporate structure
Reorganization of the Houston (TX) site
Business development – strategic partnerships

Jan 2016 - Dec 2017

2 years

Interim Manager Global OR1 – Integration & Digital Services

Karl Storz SE & Co KG

Management of the OR1 profit center: software and hardware development, sales, marketing, product management, purchasing, planning, order fulfillment, production, installation and controlling at four locations
Worldwide technical project sales
Restructuring into a global unit
Recruitment of employees
Site relocation
Establishment of a purchasing organization
"Stop the Bleeding" program: implementation of immediate measures in development projects
Reorganization of the Berlin (Digital Services) and Karlsruhe (OR Integration) sites
Strategy development and team building
Improved results by €10M in the first year

Jan 2015 - Dec 2015

1 year

Director Operations & Investor

S-CAPE GmbH (now Caresyntax)

Management of software and hardware development, materials management, production, logistics, service, quality, HR and controlling
Establishment of HR and hardware/software development
Recruiting of more than 30 employees
Site relocation
Establishment of a purchasing organization
Implementation of technical projects in Singapore, Morocco, Bamberg and Leipzig (€300–700K each)
Implementation of a service organization

Mar 2014 - Dec 2014

10 months

COO and Operations Manager

S-CAPE GmbH

Crisis management, restructuring and business coaching
Turnaround in 4 months in 2014

Jun 2013 - Dec 2014

1 year 7 months

Project Manager

Hauni Maschinenbau AG / Baltic Metalltechnik

Lean in CNC manufacturing, shopfloor management, change management
Focus on reducing throughput time from 45 to an average of 18 days

Mar 2013 - May 2013

3 months

Business Coach, Quality Manager

DILAS

Dec 2012 - Present

13 years 3 months

Self-employed

Interim Solution – Achim Dohl

Interim management
Change manager for (re)structuring
Turnaround and growth management
50+ international change projects
Execution in development and operations
Digital transformation
E-Health enabler and advisor
Startups

Jul 2008 - Nov 2012

4 years 5 months

Managing Director

R. Stahl AG

Led operations division with eight sites in Europe, Asia and the USA as a member of the executive board (COO)
Managing Director of R. Stahl Schaltgeräte GmbH in Waldenburg (€150M revenue)
Chairman and director of the board of R. Stahl (P) LTD India in Chennai
Vice President Operations until 05/2010
Strategy development and SWOT analysis for operations and R. Stahl India
Leadership and communication on an international scale
Lean management across all areas, shopfloor management
Coaching and assessments for managers
Established engineering and production in Malaysia
M&A projects in Stavanger (NOR) and Chennai (IND)
Growth increase to an all-time high in 2012 (€290M)
Turnaround in India 2011 (revenue doubled to €8M)
Profit doubled in 2010 (EAT from €5.6M to €10.5M)
Cash flow improvement by 74% in 2010

Feb 2002 - Jun 2008

6 years 5 months

Tuttlingen, Germany

Head of Engines & Containers Plant

B. Braun – Aesculap

Responsible for €130M in revenue and 320 employees
Manufacturing mechanical and electronic motor systems, surgical devices, sterilization containers, and navigation systems for endoprosthetics
Implemented Lean Management, TPM, TQM, and quality control circles
Ensured compliance with GMP, FDA, and DIN ISO 9000ff standards
Implemented the Aesculap Production System in Germany, Poland, Malaysia, and France
Coached staff and managers abroad
R&D project: manufacturing process for intracranial pressure sensor
Reduced manufacturing costs by €400K per year
Achieved revenue growth of 30% (€30M) in three years
Reduced lead time by 50%
Reduced inventory by €13M
Halved complaint rate

Jul 1998 - Jan 2002

3 years 7 months

Remscheid, Germany

Head of Corporate Quality

Joh. Vaillant

Led process-oriented organization in assembly, sheet metal processing, CNC manufacturing, and electronics
Reengineered the marketing process
Defined strategy, performed SWOT analysis, and managed the target-setting process
Ensured DIN ISO 9000ff compliance in five plants
Organized and delivered training
Handled product liability and communication
Winner of the German Quality Award (EFQM)
Achieved savings of €10M
Halved complaint rate
Reduced development time by 50%

Apr 1995 - Jun 1998

3 years 3 months

Kolin, Czech Republic

Quality Manager and Deputy Plant Manager

Emerson Electric (Copeland)

Applied Kaizen and Lean Management in CNC manufacturing, assembly, testing, and logistics
Managed industrial engineering and product maintenance
Implemented DIN ISO 9002 certification and quality management software
Increased productivity by 8% per year
Cut customer complaints by 65%
Reduced quality costs by 46%
Introduced Demand Flow Technology
Reduced lead time by 50%
Reduced inventory by 70%

Jun 1994 - Mar 1995

10 months

Birkenwerder, Germany

Supplier Engineering

Francotyp Postalia

Quality planning and management
Implemented supplier management
Reorganized quality teams
Optimized shop floor processes following Prof. Dr. Wildemann's methodology

Dec 1992 - Sep 1996

3 years 10 months

Self-Employed

Baumgärtner und Partner GmbH / DGU Beratungsunternehmen

Developed and marketed optical systems for retail
Collaborated with Visolux Elektronik, Hewlett Packard, Oracle, and Comshare LTD.
Gained project experience in R&D and sales

Oct 1990 - Nov 1992

2 years 2 months

Berlin, Germany

Assistant to Plant Management and Production Manager

Austria Tabak

Disciplinary responsibility for 120 employees in tobacco processing and cigarette manufacturing and packaging

Oct 1989 - Sep 1990

1 year

Berlin, Germany

Project Engineer

Jacobs Suchard

Investment projects
Improvement of production processes and organizational procedures
Project management of economical energy use at the Berlin plant

Industries Experience

See where this freelancer has spent most of their professional time. Longer bars indicate deeper hands-on experience, while shorter ones reflect targeted or project-based work.

Experienced in Manufacturing (21.5 years), Healthcare (19.5 years), Information Technology (17 years), Retail (4 years), Biotechnology (1.5 years), and Professional Services (1 year).

Manufacturing

Healthcare

Information Technology

Retail

Biotechnology

Professional Services

Business Areas Experience

The graph below provides a cumulative view of the freelancer's experience across multiple business areas, calculated from completed and active engagements. It highlights the areas where the freelancer has most frequently contributed to planning, execution, and delivery of business outcomes.

Experienced in Operations (32.5 years), Strategy (21 years), Quality Assurance (18 years), Project Management (14 years), Production (14 years), and Product Development (13 years).

Operations

Strategy

Quality Assurance

Project Management

Production

Product Development

Summary

Is your company a market or quality leader in medical technology, but development takes too long and production costs are too high?

As an internationally experienced interim manager focusing on operations, I act as your COO and expert in profitable growth and digital transformation in R&D, production, supply chain, and after-sales service.

My vision: A best-in-class approach and high performance are made possible through trust. Clear-cut results give my teams perspective and a shared goal.

For over two decades, I have delivered profitable growth in entrusted projects as a result of continuous improvement and my leadership philosophy, which highlights the strengths of the community.

Languages

German

Native

English

Advanced

Education

Oct 1985 - Jun 1989

TFH Berlin

Diploma Engineer · Mechanical Engineering and Electronic Device Technology · Berlin, Germany · 1.9

Sep 1984 - Jun 1985

Technical High School · Berlin, Germany

Sep 1980 - Jan 1984

Standard Elektrik Lorenz

Training as a precision mechanic · Precision mechanics

...and 2 more

Profile

Created

December 2022

Last Update

July 2024

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Frequently asked questions

Do you have questions? Here you can find further information.

Where is Achim based?

Achim is based in Weinheim, Germany.

What languages does Achim speak?

Achim speaks the following languages: German (Native), English (Advanced).

How many years of experience does Achim have?

Achim has at least 36 years of experience. During this time, Achim has worked in at least 22 different roles and for 19 different companies. The average length of individual experience is 2 years and 8 months. Note that Achim may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.

What roles would Achim be best suited for?

Based on recent experience, Achim would be well-suited for roles such as: Head of Operations, Managing Director & COO, Managing Director & Co-Founder, COO.

What is Achim's latest experience?

Achim's most recent position is Head of Operations at ZEISS Vision (Vision Technology Solution, VTS).

What companies has Achim worked for in recent years?

In recent years, Achim has worked for ZEISS Vision (Vision Technology Solution, VTS), Midge Medical MPS GmbH, DasLab GmbH, and Interim Solution – Achim Dohl.

Which industries is Achim most experienced in?

Achim is most experienced in industries like Manufacturing, Healthcare, and Information Technology (IT). Achim also has some experience in Retail, Biotechnology, and Food and Beverage.

Which business areas is Achim most experienced in?

Achim is most experienced in business areas like Operations, Strategy and Planning, and Quality Assurance (QA). Achim also has some experience in Project Management, Production/Manufacturing, and Product Development.

Which industries has Achim worked in recently?

Achim has recently worked in industries like Healthcare, Information Technology (IT), and Manufacturing.

Which business areas has Achim worked in recently?

Achim has recently worked in business areas like Operations, Product Development, and Strategy and Planning.

What is Achim's education?

Achim holds a Bachelor in Mechanical Engineering and Electronic Device Technology from TFH Berlin.

What is the availability of Achim?

Achim is immediately available for suitable projects.

What is the rate of Achim?

Achim's rate depends on the specific project requirements. Please use the Meet button on the profile to schedule a meeting and discuss the details.