David Thiel

Strategy | Operations | Growth

Hamburg, Germany

Experience

Oct 2023 - Feb 2025
1 year 5 months

Digital Growth & Strategic Partnerships

AskBrian

Jan 2021 - Feb 2023
1 year 2 months
Hamburg, Germany

Co-Founder

ReturnHeroes

E-Commerce returns are time consuming and inconvenient for customers and complex and expensive for businesses. In other words, they suck for everyone. We are working on 10x the customer experience and the value to businesses.

Oct 2021 - Present
3 years 6 months

Founder

&Thiel Consulting

Helping companies of any size in getting from A to B. Reach out if you want to know more!

Dec 2020 - Feb 2022
1 year 3 months
Berlin, Germany

Director Global Operations

Twinner Group

Connecting the offline with the online world by leveraging AI and creating a digital Twinn of your vehicles.

Jun 2020 - Jun 2021
1 year 1 month
Berlin, Germany

Advisor

The Routing Company (formerly Routable AI)

Jun 2020 - Sep 2020
4 months
Berlin, Germany

Advisor

PURE+ Mobility

Your e-mobility flatrate.

Oct 2018 - Jun 2020
1 year 9 months
Germany

General Manager

Uber

Shaping the future of mobility by bringing new modes of transportation to cities!

Nov 2016 - Sep 2018
1 year 11 months
Netherlands

Head of EMEA Marketplace Efficiency & Product Experience

Uber

  • Defined the 2017/18 strategy for Marketplace & Product experience in EMEA with 240m$ in gross booking growth through efficiency and product experience projects.
  • Built & implemented the strategy to reduce risk exposure and increase profitability by centralizing critical marketplace processes and decisions saving up to 30% of marketplace related headcount in EMEA.
  • Shaped the EMEA strategy and execution of global key projects such as Driver Forward („180days of change“), re-defining the global collaboration model.
  • Built and developed the teams in Marketplace Efficiency, Product Experience and Cash/Payments
May 2016 - Oct 2016
6 months
Amsterdam, Netherlands

EMEA Regional Operations Manager, Quality & Efficiency

Uber

  • Built and rolled out a Quality management process for partner drivers in EMEA improving the quality experience for riders as well as for drivers while saving 100h+ weekly Ops time in the region.
  • Standardized and centralized the tech setup for 100+ cities in EMEA.
  • Developed a strong cross-functional network with global and regional stakholders (e.g. Tax, Legal, Marketing, Support, Product, Operations).
Dec 2015 - Apr 2016
5 months
Switzerland

Manager Operations & Logistics

Uber

  • Standardized quality and efficiency processes for West Switzerland.
  • Led marketplace efficiency rollouts and efforts in West Switzerland.
  • Strengthened cross-country operations within the DACH region, leading the way for centralization.
Jun 2014 - Nov 2015
1 year 6 months
Düsseldorf, Germany

Manager Operations & Logistics

Uber

  • Led the business setup, partner acquisition and operations with 400+ partner drivers.
  • Developed partnerships with local businesses and regulators.
  • Built a team of 5 people in city operations.
Apr 2013 - Jun 2014
1 year 3 months

Consultant

Porsche Consulting Group

  • Developed & Implemented restructuring efforts at a manufacturing plant for a leading automobile manufacturer.
  • Reduced product- and process-related cost in industries ranging from medical devices to household goods.
  • Built a mass volume business plan for fuel cell technologies in the automobile industry.
Apr 2011 - Jul 2011
4 months
Stuttgart, Germany

MBA Consulting Internship

Porsche Consulting

  • Identified and negotiated key performance indicators for a global project organization at a leading automotive manufacturer.
  • Analyzed the cost structure of products and developed recommendations for cost reduction of up to 30% based on benchmark activities.
Oct 2008 - Feb 2011
2 years 5 months

Quality Engineer

Toyota Motor Europe

  • Initiated and coordinated a crossfunctional team to improve the quality image reflected in european automotive rankings. As a result, Toyota achieved several No 1 rankings in European magazines.
  • Increased office efficiency by 30% in the European Headquarter by negotiating the strategy, developing a training module, training-the-trainer and conducting workshops for 400+ employees.
  • Presented status reports quarterly to European and Global senior executives.
  • Reduced Voice of Customer data analysis lead-time by 90% by developing an automated procedure.
  • Managed Pan-European projects to reduce vehicle quality concerns through activites such as initiating field parts recovery, forming working groups with technical specialists and local sales and marketing staff and coordinating the implementation of quality improvement activities in production.

Summary

With over 16 years of international experience, I offer a blend of operational expertise, strategic insight, and hands-on leadership across technology, automotive, and mobility sectors. I’ve led key initiatives in: (1) Hyper-Growth Scaling, P&L Ownership, and General Management at Uber and JUMP, where I shaped market strategies, optimized product experiences, and led efficiency projects across the EMEA region. (2) Executive Operations and Product Leadership at Twinner Group, where I led global operations and product initiatives to transform the automotive industry by creating digital Twins of vehicles. (3) Business Case Development & Restructuring at Porsche Consulting, delivering process efficiencies and substantial cost savings in the automotive and consumer products industries. (4) Quality & Customer-Centric Initiatives with Toyota, driving top rankings through voice-of-customer excellence and cross-functional improvements. Now, as part of AskBrian, I’m diving deeper into AI applications while advising startups and taking on freelance strategy projects in tech, automotive, and mobility. Peers describe me as a self-starter with strong analytical skills and a “no-nonsense” approach, known for delivering high-stakes projects effectively. I operate by the principles of respect, integrity, and humility—values that have grounded my work and leadership style throughout my career.

Languages

German
Native
English
Advanced

Education

Jun 2017 - Oct 2017

HBX | Harvard Business School

Leadership and Strategy · Boston, United States

Jun 2012 - Oct 2012

Duke University - Fuqua School of Business

MBA Exchange Program · Durham, United States

Oct 2011 - Jun 2013

ESADE Business School

Master of Business Administration (MBA) · Business Administration and Management, General · Barcelona, Spain

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