Dennis Vagt - Interim CEO

Hamburg, Germany

Experience

Mar 2023 - Present

2 years 11 months

Hamburg, Germany

Interim CEO

North Living

Conducted end-to-end process analysis, including IT infrastructure and process digitalization to increase efficiency
Planned human resources and supported hiring
Developed and implemented automated reporting structure (PnL, profitability per location and customer) and KPI dashboards
Optimized accounting process and implemented cost centers
Developed business cases for strategic planning and investment decisions
Created modular approach to improve process efficiency and scalability via IT infrastructure extension
Integrated new location with 40 beds
Increased transparency through automated reporting
Designed organizational chart and hired one FTE

Dec 2022 - Present

3 years 2 months

Rostock, Germany

Interim CFO

4Q Invest

Digitalized and automated finance processes and implemented process manuals
Developed roadmap for new finance and accounting team and supported hiring
Eliminated accounting backlog and directed annual closings for over 80 entities
Rolled out new ERP tool (IX Haus) and implemented internal and external reporting
Developed internal transfer pricing schemes and introduced hourly rates (clocko:do)
Managed bank communications and implemented cash pooling
Mentored and coached finance team
Established new finance team with 3 internal FTEs, enabling accurate and timely accounting and reporting
Reduced accounting backlog to achieve real-time accounting data and monthly closings
Enabled profitability analysis on entity level through transfer pricing and cost allocation
Provided reporting on entity, asset type and consolidation group levels for proactive portfolio management

Nov 2022 - Mar 2023

5 months

Hamburg, Germany

Interim CFO

KLT Health Group

Implemented financial reporting, including dashboards, KPI schemes, monthly closing processes, PnL, balance sheet and cashflow reporting
Created shareholder and management reporting and consolidated three entities
Developed plan/actual deviation reports
Introduced gross margin reporting for SKUs, article groups, customers and customer groups
Integrated ERP processes (weclapp)
Implemented strategic and integrated budgeting and planning
Streamlined finance processes and integrated planning to provide real-time transparency for decision making
Consolidated all relevant entities and delivered monthly reporting three weeks earlier

Jan 2022 - Nov 2022

11 months

Berlin, Germany

Principal

torq.partners

Interim CFO and consultant for startups and hyper growth companies
Focus on Finance as a Service, including funding, financial due diligence, reporting and controlling, restructuring, strategy development and strategic planning, process optimization to make businesses scalable

Oct 2021 - Dec 2021

3 months

Berlin, Germany

Consultant

Genuine German

Implemented monthly closing process and created accounting manual
Implemented KPI dashboard and developed financial reporting structure (PnL, cash flow and balance sheet)
Consolidated German and Chinese entities and produced plan/actual deviation reports
Automated reporting with international consolidation to improve forecast accuracy and scalability

Jun 2021 - Oct 2021

5 months

Hamburg, Germany

Consultant

Vivet Capital

Developed portfolio overview and project calculations with scenario analysis
Standardized calculation and decision processes to increase efficiency during acquisition and investment
Created standardized template for banking communication
Built scenario analysis model for interest rate, repayment, holding period, OPEX, rent increase and factor

Apr 2021 - Present

4 years 10 months

Hamburg, Germany

Founder & Owner

DCV Capital

Founded legal entity for investments in real estate and private equity and consulting projects
Optimized legal structure for investments and consulting engagements
Invested in three private equity funds

Dec 2018 - Mar 2021

2 years 4 months

Hamburg, Germany

General Manager Finance & Business Control

Wärtsilä SAM Electronics GmbH

CFO for global business line with sales volume of approx. 200 mEUR
Managed global finance team of 30 employees in China, Norway, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, Italy, UK and USA
Member of board of directors in Denmark, Norway, China and Italy
Executed the strategy “Digitalization of Maritime Industry”
Managed and improved strategic and operational reporting structures and processes in an agile environment
Initiated and implemented rationalization programs, including development of a target-operating model and Covid mitigation measures
Developed KPI schemes and dashboards to measure strategic target achievement
Optimized approval processes, including implementation of electronic workflows
Improved reporting and planning processes, increased forecast accuracy, enhanced visibility and optimized strategic focus
Developed and implemented a target-operating model to increase EBIT by 6 percentage points in FY2020
Optimized finance and controlling team performance, including global FTE reduction

Jul 2015 - Nov 2018

3 years 5 months

Paris, France

Group CFO

Nec Plus Ultra Cosmetics GmbH

Responsible for finance, supply chain, tax, IT, human resources and legal across group entities
Managed three internal employees and external service providers
Designed and implemented group finance, supply chain and controlling processes and tools
Implemented KPI schemes and developed shareholder and management reporting
Conducted liquidity planning and improved cash flow
Developed commercial, market entry and digital strategies
Supported M&A transactions and post-merger integration of four brands
Incorporated French entity and implemented international transfer pricing schemes and internal policies
Achieved net sales growth from 3 to 10 mEUR (CAGR 49%) and extended distribution from DACH to over 35 countries
Reached break-even in second year
Improved and digitized planning processes and sourcing, optimizing working capital
Reduced structural costs through automation and policy implementation

Apr 2014 - Jun 2015

1 year 3 months

Zürich, Switzerland

Country Finance Manager & Regional CFO (D-A-CH)

Teads.tv

Managed finance, controlling, IT and human resources in the D-A-CH region
Supervised two employees and external service providers
Prepared monthly, quarterly and annual financial statements
Created and improved reporting to French headquarters
Conducted liquidity planning and cash flow management
Developed operational controlling processes and tools
Performed business analysis and strategic planning
Developed international transfer pricing schemes
Managed back-office functions and incorporated Swiss entity
Achieved net sales growth from 4 to 8 mEUR
Improved forecasting accuracy and gross margin by 7 percentage points
Integrated Swiss entity successfully

Apr 2012 - Mar 2014

2 years

Hamburg, Germany

Financial Controller (Corporate Finance)

Otto GmbH & Co KG

Conducted ad-hoc analyses for Group CFO and board of directors
Acted as contact for subsidiaries on corporate funding, especially digital startups
Performed liquidity planning, cash flow planning and balance sheet analysis
Prepared internal ratings and supported M&A transactions through financial due diligence
Coordinated interdisciplinary and intercultural projects, including restructurings, insolvencies and subsidiary creation
Managed risk controlling, mainly currency risk
Optimized cash allocation within the group and subsidiaries
Developed and implemented a liquidity-controlling tool used by all subsidiaries

Oct 2010 - Mar 2012

1 year 6 months

Düsseldorf, Germany

Junior Controller

L’Oréal Luxusprodukte GmbH

Budgeting, forecasting and reporting for local management and international headquarters
Conducted brand portfolio analysis and ROI on marketing activities
Developed and implemented controlling and reporting tools
Held budget responsibility for all OPEX of the business unit
Served as finance and SAP support contact for marketing, PR and sales
Supported several product launches
Developed and implemented an OPEX planning tool used cross-divisional in Germany

Summary

More than 12 years professional experience in finance and operations
For more than 8 years in executive positions and for 2 years as interim manger
Experienced in leading multinational teams
Corporate and startup experience
Entrepreneurial spirit with hands-on mentality
"Creative all-rounder" who appreciates a varied range of tasks in a challenging environment