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Gerhard (W.) Kessler

Director Operations

Gerhard Kessler
Karlsruhe, Germany

Experience

Karlsruhe, Germany

Director Operations

Angiomed GmbH

  • Managed 160 production and 60 administration employees

  • Oversaw production in Karlsruhe (interventional and endourological catheter systems) and Bruchsal (laser-cut implants, NiTi-stents)

  • Handled facility management for both plants

  • Directed logistics (strategic purchasing, forecast and planning (S&OP), production planning and layout, lean management)

  • Managed engineering (validation, process development, automation, pilot series)

  • Led product management including development and marketing of urological and OEM products; primary contact for opinion leaders

  • Coordinated exhibitions and tradeshows

  • Executed lean management projects for the German plant and global initiatives.

Karlsruhe, Germany

Purchasing Manager

Angiomed GmbH

  • Managed all materials and services (import and domestic)

  • Planned and controlled three plant enhancements

  • Responsible for all hirings for production and sales

  • Set up and supervised a planning department and implemented the first LAN with PCs

  • Set up a warehouse organization and transitioned from customer-driven order manufacturing to serial production.

Karlsruhe, Germany

Technical Director

Angiomed GmbH

  • Responsible for production, planning, purchasing, and product management

  • Planned and set up an office and warehouse in Vienna, Austria

  • Planned, set up, and supervised a subsidiary in Singapore

  • Planned a production facility in Texas, USA

  • Managed acquisition by C.R. Bard, Inc., NJ, USA.

Consultant

GWK - Consulting

  • Consulting, seminars, workshops, and various projects for the Lean-Institute

  • Kaizen-workshops (print company, chemical industry, metal company)

  • 5-S workshops and implementation

  • JIT-workshops

  • Lean assessments and support (fitting industry – metal company)

  • Value stream analysis (metal industry)

  • Logistic and material flow analysis and workshop (food industry)

  • TPM analysis and TPM workshop (chemical industry)

  • Consulting for small cap companies (organization and processes)

  • Advisory service for start-up companies

  • Hired by an English recruiting company to improve the productivity and triple the output of the key supplier to an English client. The entire organization was changed, process improvements and installation of workspace and a reorganization of the logistic system were implemented alongside 5-S, CIP, KPI and Kanban systems. Continuous coaching of the general manager. The output increased by 200% within eight months.

  • Introduction of lean techniques in an SME medical equipment company. Reorganization of the warehouse to set up an assembly line and create a one-piece-flow line for individual wheelchairs. Implementation of CIP and 5-S.

  • Process analysis and implementation of lean techniques in a laser cutting company. Creation of a CE-9001-2015 environment and certification within nine months.

  • Coaching and reorganization of a materials management department to change from day-to-day handling to a more strategic role in a medical device company. Implementation of CIP and parallel analysis of parameters and installed processes.

  • Re-setup of a medical device company in Italy to achieve DIN ISO 9001 / EN 13485 certification (certified October 2019).

  • Interim management assignment in a pharmaceutical company to run the logistic department: reduced space by 30%, introduced 5-S and CIP, set up a visual Kanban system.

  • Process analysis at a pharmaceutical company of intralogistics (incoming, warehouse, shipping, external warehouses). Restructured department workload and set up a lean department.

  • SME project for material flow and layout analysis and new building setup at a medical apparatus manufacturer.

  • SME project for process flow improvement and installation of one-piece flow, change of planning mode, installation of KPI, and implementation of CIP in a hydraulic hoses company.

  • SME project in Beijing, China at a medical device manufacturer (process flow analysis and improvement – 5-S, CIP, installation of KPIs, change of planning mode).

  • Externalization of sterilization and process analysis of packaging department at a medical device manufacturer.

Skills

  • It Programs: Ms Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook)
  • Golf, Networking
  • Member Of Cyberforum Karlsruhe (Godfather For Startup Companies)
  • Founder And Head Of Competence Network Ka-pf
  • President Of A Local Foundation

Languages

German
Native
English
Advanced

Education

Oct 1981 - Jun 1982

Chamber of Commerce - Karlsruhe

Bachelor of Materials Procurement and Logistics · Materials Procurement and Logistics · Karlsruhe, Germany

Oct 1970 - Jun 1974

Junior Highschool

School level I-certificate · Karlsruhe, Germany

Certifications & licenses

Certified Lean-Advisor

Medical Device Products-Consultant

CE-9001-2015

Profile

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Frequently asked questions

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

Where is Gerhard based?

Gerhard is based in Karlsruhe, Germany and can operate in on-site, hybrid, and remote work models.

What languages does Gerhard speak?

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

What roles would Gerhard be best suited for?

Based on recent experience, Gerhard would be well-suited for roles such as: Director Operations, Purchasing Manager, Technical Director.

What is Gerhard's latest experience?

Gerhard's most recent position is Director Operations at Angiomed GmbH.

What is Gerhard's education?

Gerhard holds a Bachelor in Materials Procurement and Logistics from Chamber of Commerce - Karlsruhe.

Does Gerhard have any certificates?

Gerhard has 3 certificates. These include: Certified Lean-Advisor, Medical Device Products-Consultant, and CE-9001-2015.

What is the availability of Gerhard?

Gerhard is immediately available part-time for suitable projects.

What is the rate of Gerhard?

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

How to hire Gerhard?

To hire Gerhard, click the Meet button on the profile to request a meeting and discuss your project needs.

Average rates for similar positions

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Market avg: 890-1050 €
The rates shown represent the typical market range for freelancers in this position based on recent contracts on our platform.
Actual rates may vary depending on seniority level, experience, skill specialization, project complexity, and engagement length.