Jakob Hess
CEO - CRO - Advisory Board Member
Experience
Shareholder Advisor
Rego Herlitzius GmbH
Project description – Interim management in mechanical engineering (food technology)
A mid-sized mechanical engineering company specializing in machines and equipment for food processing is currently undergoing a phase of strategic and operational realignment. Against the backdrop of changed market demands and increasing competitive pressure, an interim leadership position was created to position the company for the future in terms of organization, production and market.
Focus areas of the ongoing mandate:
- Reorganization of sales, inside sales and technical departments to improve market performance
- Development of a competitive, timely product and pricing portfolio
- Analysis and optimization of assembly and production processes, including qualification of international suppliers
- Structuring of the service department and building a stable spare parts and after-sales business
- Implementation of clear communication and decision-making channels between management, the company and foreign production partners
Interim Head of Sales
KOLBUS Group GmbH
- Reactivation of sales after insolvency
- Focus on contract manufacturing and iron foundry
- Revenue: €50 million
- Employees: 350
Interim Managing Director
DALEX Automation & Welding GmbH
- Restructuring after insolvency
- Revenue: €20 million
- Employees: 150
- Reporting to the shareholders
Interim Managing Director
EuroPriSe Cert GmbH
- Reporting to the shareholders
- Accreditation under Art. 42 GDPR
- International sales development
Interim Managing Director
Boehm Group GmbH
- Reporting to the shareholders
- Revenue responsibility approx. €20 million
- Personnel responsibility 180 employees (now approx. 150)
- Stabilization of customer and supplier relationships
- Structuring the production
- Post-merger integration
Interim Managing Director & COO
Teigwaren Riesa GmbH
- Reporting to shareholders
- Revenue responsibility as COO over €20 million
- Revenue responsibility as Managing Director approx. €2 million
- Significant efficiency and quality improvements
- Structuring of production
CEO – CTO – CRO – Advisory Board
Self-employed
- Advised companies such as Seysen GmbH & Co. KG / shareholders of EFAFLEX, PROTEC B.V. NL, Matchbird GmbH – world market leader as a serendipity service provider, private equity firms
- Internationalization of sales
- Efficiency increase in production (30%)
- Implementation of advisory boards (Protec, Matchbird)
- PMI / integration into parent company / group
- Preparation for an acquisition (private equity)
- Accreditation of EuroPriSe Cert GmbH by DAkkS
Managing Director
EFAFLEX GmbH & Co. KG
- Revenue responsibility > €150 million
- Personnel responsibility for approx. 1300 employees
- Overall responsibility for sales (worldwide) & production in Germany and Czech Republic
- Responsibility for R&D in Germany, Czech Republic & Slovenia
- Revenue increase over 15%
- Restructuring of sales
- Reactivation of lost markets / customers
- Digitalization: initiation and implementation of SAP-CRM
- Introduction of new products (e.g. machine safety doors, bulletproof doors)
- Internationalization (USA, China, India, Australia)
- New distribution partners in Asia and Australia
- Implementation of company-wide marketing
- Introduction of a document management system
- Development of a KPI system
- M&A activities in Switzerland, the Netherlands and USA
- Company agreements with the works council
Sales Director
Herzog Maschinenfabrik GmbH & Co. KG
- Supplier in plant engineering for cement and mineral production
- Revenue > €40 million
- Employees: approx. 220
Managing Director
Inmess GmbH
- Focus on profitable product segments
- PMI / restructuring and closure of sites
- Stabilization and establishment in the market
- Product rationalization and introduction of a modular design
- Introduction of optical metrology as a new product field
- Cost savings through renegotiation and centralization
Advisory Board Member
FLSmidth Airloq
- Revenue increase from €7M to €25M
- PMI / integration of Airloq & FLSmidth Wuppertal into the group
- Product development
- Restructuring and consolidation of production to a single site
- Optimization of inventory turnover
- Product and process standardization within the group
- Acquisition of a mid-sized company
- Implementation of end-to-end IT support to increase order processing efficiency
- Introduction of document management system
- Implementation of key performance indicators (KPIs)
- Preparation for production relocation to Chennai, India
Sole managing director of 3 group companies
FLSmidth
- Publicly listed Danish group in plant engineering for cement and mineral production
- FLSmidth Wuppertal GmbH, Pfaff Maschinenbau GmbH, FLSmidth spol. sr.o. Brünn
Managing partner
Hess Management Consulting
Interim managing director
WIBERA GmbH
Events & catering
Managing director
Legris GmbH
- 80% increase in revenue
- Development of a Tier-1 structure
- Restructuring of exclusive dealer network
- Significant expansion of the distribution network
- Development and implementation of the European price list
- Development of sales strategy and pricing policy
Global Sales Director
Kugelfabrik Schulte GmbH & Co.
- Increased sales by approx. 12 %
- Reactivated lost markets
- Internationalized sales (Europe/Asia, especially Japan)
- Established a sales company & partners in the USA and Japan
Head of Sales/Marketing/Customer Service
Ingersoll–Rand Gruppe
- Developed and sold maintenance contracts
- Conducted market analysis to check compatibility of competitor spare parts
- Lead trainer for TQM initiatives at Ingersoll Rand Germany
Training NCO
Air Force Technical School
Training in mathematics, jet engines and physics
Machine Mechanic
International Harvester Company mbH
Training and qualification
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 (34 years), Food and Beverage (13.5 years), Professional Services (10.5 years), Banking and Finance (8 years), Metals and Mining (1.5 years), and Aerospace and Defense (1 year).
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 Sales (27 years), Strategy (21 years), Operations (16 years), Production (12 years), Marketing (10.5 years), and Project Management (9.5 years).
Summary
Your interim manager for transformation, stabilization and entrepreneurial excellence Whether as CEO, CRO or advisory board member – I support you precisely in implementing your strategic and operational goals.
With over 25 years of experience in senior executive roles, I have been guiding companies since 2018 as an interim executive – especially during phases of realignment, restructuring and transformation. My focus is on sustainably optimizing sales, production and logistics processes, combined with clear leadership and execution skills.
I am valued by shareholders, investors and supervisory boards not only as an interim manager but also as a strategic sparring partner – especially when it comes to filling critical key positions, building efficient structures or preparing for transactions.
Skills
Management
- Executive Management > 25 Years
- Personnel Responsibility For Up To 1,300 Employees
- Revenue Responsibility > €150 Million
- Experience In Corporate Structures And Mid-sized Companies
- Pmi / Integration Of Companies Into Corporate Structures
- Member Of Advisory Boards / Boards Of Directors
- Cross-functional Management Experience In Sales, Production, And Finance
- Restructuring
- M&a / Buy & Build
Industries
- Machinery & Plant Engineering
- Process And Plant Automation
- Industrial Gates
- Automotive Industry
- Measurement & Testing Technology
- Cement, Steel Production And Mining
International Experience
- Expansion Of International Markets With Focus On China, Middle East, India, North & South America
Methodology Skills
- Strong Negotiation And Closing Skills
- Analytical, Conceptual And Goal-oriented Working Style
- Persuasive And Coaching Approach With Employees
Communication
- My Communication Style Is Open, Clear And Respectful
Personal Skills
- High Level Of Authenticity And Persuasiveness
- Entrepreneurial Mindset And Catalyst For Change
- Strong Market And Customer Orientation
- Sustainable And Holistic Thinking
Languages
Education
Hochschule Allensbach
ESUG and StaRUG Consultant · Business · Allensbach, Germany
Training program for consultants to become experts in protective shield, self-administration and StaRUG
Restructuring companies using a self-administration and protective shield procedure is considered a strategic option for companies in crisis. Since early 2021, with the German Act on the Stabilization and Restructuring Framework for Companies (StaRUG), the legislature has created an option for companies to restructure outside of insolvency through a legally defined restructuring process. During this process, the company must draw up a restructuring plan that includes, in addition to the necessary financial measures, all key restructuring measures. Creditors must approve this plan by a majority of 75 percent. The entrepreneur actively shapes the restructuring process and creditors can participate in the procedure. Companies should seek an experienced restructuring consultant to support them and advise them on the complex issues of this restructuring path.
University of Applied Sciences
Diploma Engineer (FH) · Aerospace Engineering · Aachen, Germany
International Harvester Company mbH
Machinist · Machinist · Neuss, Germany
Certifications & licenses
Marketing Manager (EBS)
EBS European Business School
Profile
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