Herman Van Der Linden - Interim Manager Operations

Q: Where is Herman based?

Herman is based in Diessenhofen, Switzerland and can operate in on-site , hybrid , and remote work models.

Q: What languages does Herman speak?

Herman speaks the following languages: Dutch (Native), German (Advanced), English (Advanced), Italian (Advanced), French (Intermediate) .

Q: How many years of experience does Herman have?

Herman has at least 35 years of experience. During this time, Herman has worked in at least 13 different roles and for 13 different companies . The average length of individual experience is 3 years and 6 months . Note that Herman may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.

Q: What is Herman's latest experience?

Herman's most recent position is Interim Manager Operations at Bürgi AG .

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

In recent years, Herman has worked for Bürgi AG , HSP GmbH , dhp Technology AG , Arnold Winkler AG , and HERLIN GmbH .

Q: Which industries is Herman most experienced in?

Herman is most experienced in industries like Manufacturing , Automotive , and Transportation and Logistics . Herman also has some experience in Healthcare , Professional Services , and Advertising .

Q: Which business areas is Herman most experienced in?

Herman is most experienced in business areas like Strategy and Planning , Operations , and Sales . Herman also has some experience in Marketing , Business Intelligence , and Information Technology (IT) .

Q: Which industries has Herman worked in recently?

Herman has recently worked in industries like Manufacturing , Healthcare , and Professional Services .

Q: Which business areas has Herman worked in recently?

Herman has recently worked in business areas like Strategy and Planning , Business Intelligence , and Information Technology (IT) .

Recommended expert

Diessenhofen, Switzerland

Experience

Nov 2024 - Apr 2025

6 months

Winterthur, Switzerland

Interim Manager Operations

Bürgi AG

Managing the daily purchase, delivery and sale of heating oil, petrol and diesel for the retail market including one petrol station
Implementing a lean management structure to prepare the succession of the current owner
Supporting the Chairman of the Board to manage ownership, financial and succession challenges

Oct 2024 - Jan 2025

4 months

Troisdorf, Germany

Interim Manager Expediting

HSP GmbH

Securing on-time delivery of bushings and related accessories to the global Siemens Energy organisation
Implementing a lean order management structure
Supporting management in putting in place measures for growth

Jul 2023 - Mar 2024

9 months

Zizers, Switzerland

Interim Manager Construction and Service

dhp Technology AG

Developing and implementing a new construction and service organisation in a scale-up foldable photovoltaic system company
Managing an international team of planners, project managers, constructors and service people
Developing a growth strategy outside DACH countries
Coaching members of the management team

Jun 2023 - Present

2 years 9 months

Non-Executive Board Director

Arnold Winkler AG

Aug 2022 - May 2023

10 months

Russikon, Switzerland

Interim CEO, CFO and Coach | Board Director

Arnold Winkler AG

Restructuring a wholesale company in tools and machinery
Business development, strategy definition, company succession
Balance sheet and P&L optimisation, downsizing organisation
Putting a management in place to execute the operational planning

Sep 2021 - Present

4 years 6 months

Consultant

HERLIN GmbH

Business plan and design of a rail passenger coach for leasing in cooperation with a rolling stock manufacturer (until 2022-04)
Development of a veterinary platform helping veterinarians remaining independent from franchise structures (ongoing)
Market study hydrogen rolling stock
Various mandates for market research companies (Dialectica, GLG)
Business development and acquisition for a turnaround and change management advisory agency (ongoing)
Various consultancy mandates for SME in Total Quality Management or strategy definition projects

Feb 2012 - Sep 2019

7 years 8 months

Chairman of the Board | Managing Director

Alstom Schienenfahrzeuge AG

Jun 2006 - Aug 2011

5 years 3 months

Chairman of the Board | Managing Director

CBRail / CBRail Leasing

Feb 2002 - Mar 2006

4 years 2 months

Antwerp, Belgium

Commercial | Business Development Manager

Angel Trains Cargo

Jan 1999 - Oct 2001

2 years 10 months

Maassluis, Netherlands

Interim Manager | Board Director

Ermanno Marketing Support

Jul 1997 - Dec 1998

1 year 6 months

London, United Kingdom

Director Car Sales EMEA

Hertz Europe Ltd

Jul 1995 - Jun 1997

2 years

Pontedera, Italy

Sales Director Piaggio Porter DACH

Piaggio Veicoli Europei

Sep 1991 - Jun 1995

3 years 10 months

Munich, Germany

Manager Sales Promotion

Iveco Central Europe

Feb 1988 - Aug 1991

3 years 7 months

Italy

Management Trainee | Dealer Network Development

Iveco Spa

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 (18 years), Automotive (11 years), Transportation (9.5 years), Healthcare (4.5 years), Professional Services (4.5 years), and Advertising (3 years).

Manufacturing

Automotive

Transportation

Healthcare

Professional Services

Advertising

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 Strategy (17 years), Operations (14.5 years), Sales (11 years), Marketing (10.5 years), Business Intelligence (4.5 years), and Information Technology (4.5 years).

Strategy

Operations

Sales

Marketing

Business Intelligence

Information Technology

Summary

Expert in general, commercial, operational, project and business development management. Trained C-level manager for interim crisis and change management mandates. Over 35 years of experience in global, multinational, SME and start-up organisations. Strengths include team leadership, building efficient and results-driven organisations and implementing lean processes in sales, production or maintenance. An executive and non-executive board director respecting ethics and compliance regulations. I work success-oriented, empathetic, pragmatic and 'hands-on'.

Skills

Industry Competence

Automotive
Transportation
Financial Services (Rental / Leasing)
Rail Rolling Stock
Rail Infrastructure
Grid Solutions
Renewable Energy (Photovoltaic / Hydrogen)
Retail And Wholesale Trade (Tools / Machinery / Diy)

Methodical Competence

Change & Crisis Management
Turnaround Management
Operational Management
Commercial Management
Business Development
M&a (Carve In / Out)
Fleet Management
Contract Management
Project Management
Strategy Definition
Board Director
Start-up / Scale-up Coaching
Financial Planning

Languages

Dutch

Native

German

Advanced

English

Advanced

Italian

Advanced

French

Intermediate

Education

Oct 1981 - Jun 1985

Rotterdam School of Economics (HEAO)

Economics · Economics · Rotterdam, Netherlands

Certifications & licenses

Board Director

SwissVR, Lucerne University (CH)

Ethics & Compliance

Open University, Heerlen (NL)

International Law

Open University, Heerlen (NL)

Business Sciences

Open University, Heerlen (NL)

Business Administration

ISVOR Management School (I)

Grid solutions

Rail Infrastructure

Rail Rolling Stock Certificates

Renewable Energy (photovoltaic/ hydrogen)

Retail And Wholesale Trade (tools / machinery / DIY)

Profile

Created

February 2022

Last Update

April 2025

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Frequently asked questions

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

Where is Herman based?

Herman is based in Diessenhofen, Switzerland and can operate in on-site, hybrid, and remote work models.

What languages does Herman speak?

Herman speaks the following languages: Dutch (Native), German (Advanced), English (Advanced), Italian (Advanced), French (Intermediate).

How many years of experience does Herman have?

Herman has at least 35 years of experience. During this time, Herman has worked in at least 13 different roles and for 13 different companies. The average length of individual experience is 3 years and 6 months. Note that Herman may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.

What roles would Herman be best suited for?

Based on recent experience, Herman would be well-suited for roles such as: Interim Manager Operations, Interim Manager Expediting, Interim Manager Construction and Service.

What is Herman's latest experience?

Herman's most recent position is Interim Manager Operations at Bürgi AG.

What companies has Herman worked for in recent years?

In recent years, Herman has worked for Bürgi AG, HSP GmbH, dhp Technology AG, Arnold Winkler AG, and HERLIN GmbH.

Which industries is Herman most experienced in?

Herman is most experienced in industries like Manufacturing, Automotive, and Transportation and Logistics. Herman also has some experience in Healthcare, Professional Services, and Advertising.

Which business areas is Herman most experienced in?

Herman is most experienced in business areas like Strategy and Planning, Operations, and Sales. Herman also has some experience in Marketing, Business Intelligence, and Information Technology (IT).

Which industries has Herman worked in recently?

Herman has recently worked in industries like Manufacturing, Healthcare, and Professional Services.

Which business areas has Herman worked in recently?

Herman has recently worked in business areas like Strategy and Planning, Business Intelligence, and Information Technology (IT).

What is Herman's education?

Herman holds a Bachelor in Economics from Rotterdam School of Economics (HEAO).

Does Herman have any certificates?

Herman has 10 certificates. Among them, these include: Board Director, Ethics & Compliance, and International Law.

What is the availability of Herman?

Herman is immediately available part-time for suitable projects.

What is the rate of Herman?

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