Katja Rigoll - Head of Human Resources

Q: Where is Katja based?

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

Q: What languages does Katja speak?

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

Q: How many years of experience does Katja have?

Katja has at least 37 years of experience. During this time, Katja has worked in at least 18 different roles and for 20 different companies . The average length of individual experience is 2 years and 9 months . Note that Katja may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.

Q: What is Katja's latest experience?

Katja's most recent position is Head of HR at Knapheide Solutions GmbH, Knapheide Schlauchtechnik GmbH .

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

In recent years, Katja has worked for Knapheide Solutions GmbH, Knapheide Schlauchtechnik GmbH , Kostal Automobil Elektrik GmbH & Co. KG , Wüsthof GmbH , LGI Logistics Solutions GmbH , and Pandora Jewelry GmbH .

Q: Which industries is Katja most experienced in?

Katja is most experienced in industries like Professional Services , Manufacturing , and Tourism and Hospitality . Katja also has some experience in Construction , Government and Public Administration , and Transportation and Logistics .

Q: Which business areas is Katja most experienced in?

Katja is most experienced in business areas like Human Resources (HR) , Accounting , and Operations .

Q: Which industries has Katja worked in recently?

Katja has recently worked in industries like Professional Services , Manufacturing , and Automotive .

Q: Which business areas has Katja worked in recently?

Katja has recently worked in business areas like Human Resources (HR) and Operations .

Recommended expert

Oberhausen, Germany

Experience

Oct 2023 - Jan 2025

1 year 4 months

Beckum, Germany

Head of HR

Knapheide Solutions GmbH, Knapheide Schlauchtechnik GmbH

Leading the HR department including its realignment
Negotiating and finalizing works council agreements
Advising management and the board during post-acquisition integration
Leading partial plant closures with a transfer social plan
Implementing short-time work
Optimizing payroll

Jun 2023 - Sep 2023

4 months

Lüdenscheid, Germany

HR Operations Manager

Kostal Automobil Elektrik GmbH & Co. KG

Functional and disciplinary management of 7 employees
Supporting negotiations on reconciliation of interests and social plan during production closure
Ensuring all formalities in business transfer
Preparing decision papers and presentations

Mar 2023 - May 2023

3 months

Solingen, Germany

VP Human Resources

Wüsthof GmbH

Leading the HR department
Advising on short-time work and related measures
Change management
Process optimization

Oct 2022 - Mar 2023

6 months

Hünxe, Germany

HR Business Partner

LGI Logistics Solutions GmbH

Coordinating and negotiating works council matters
Preparing a business case for a partial plant change

Apr 2022 - Oct 2022

7 months

Hamburg, Germany

HR Director Northern Europe (9 countries)

Pandora Jewelry GmbH

Realigning the HR department including process optimization
Introducing HR reporting
Handling various legal cases

Nov 2021 - Apr 2022

6 months

Soest, Germany

HR Manager

Magna BDW technologies GmbH

Realignment of the HR department
Close coordination with the works council
Restructuring of the organizational structure
Optimization of HR processes
Digitalization: Leading the implementation of SuccessFactors

Jul 2021 - Nov 2021

5 months

Oberhausen, Germany

HR Business Partner / HR Manager

New York Pizza GmbH

Expansion of New York Pizza B.V. into Germany
Recruiting the country team
Transferring the corporate culture to the German organization
Setting up HR administration

Apr 2021 - Jun 2021

3 months

Bonn, Germany

HR Manager

Ardagh Metal Beverage GmbH

Support in restructuring the IT department
Optimization of the HR structure at the Weißenthurm site
Advising managers
Regular exchange with the works council

Sep 2020 - Oct 2020

2 months

Cologne, Germany

HR Business Partner

ESL Gaming GmbH

Support in restructuring
Drafting the requirements for an operational change
Developing a reconciliation of interests and social plan

Jan 2020 - Jun 2020

6 months

Global Director Human Resources

Hackforth Holding GmbH & Co KG

Strategic HR management, member of the Executive Management team
Advising and supporting managing directors as well as managers and employees
Harmonizing workflows by introducing HR core processes and the HR Business Partner principle

Sep 2018 - Present

7 years 6 months

Trainer

Choreoo – the human side of change

Supported leadership workshops
Advised and created a COVID-19 pandemic plan
Further developed the workshop concept

Aug 2018 - Dec 2019

1 year 5 months

Human Resources Director, Authorized Signatory

SIG Germany GmbH

Led the HR department, served on the executive board and the international senior leadership team
Ensured professional and legally compliant HR processes
Responsible for the HR budget, workforce planning, and HR controlling, boosting profitability
Ensured process improvements and cultural change

Mar 2010 - Jul 2018

8 years 5 months

HR Director Central Europe, Authorized Signatory

Atlas Copco Tools Central Europe GmbH

Served on the executive board as an authorized signatory, led the HR department including payroll for three legal entities in the DACH region, the Netherlands, and Belgium
Responsible for monitoring and reporting total personnel costs and presenting them to the board
Developed HR strategies and initiatives based on global and local business requirements, ensuring compliance with corporate guidelines
Collaborated with employee representatives and group committees
Harmonized and optimized processes across all companies and countries

Apr 2008 - Feb 2010

1 year 11 months

Director Human Resources

Movie Park Germany GmbH & Co. KG

Served on the executive team, full responsibility for HR including payroll with up to 2,000 hires per season
Responsible for and reporting on the HR budget

Jun 2005 - Mar 2008

2 years 10 months

Manager Human Resources

Movie Park Germany GmbH & Co. KG

Led the HR department including payroll
Negotiated and implemented works agreements
Responsible for all labor law matters
Designed and coordinated training programs, especially on motivation, customer service, and leadership

Jul 2000 - May 2005

4 years 11 months

HR Consultant, Deputy HR Manager

Warner Bros. Movie World

Supporting HR management and covering for them during absences
Working on various HR topics

Jul 1998 - Jun 2000

2 years

HR Clerk, Part-time

Der Baustoffmann Schneider OHG

Handling HR administrative tasks part-time

Oct 1996 - Jun 1998

1 year 9 months

HR Clerk, Part-time

Alteneinrichtungen der Stadt Oberhausen

Supporting the HR department on a part-time basis

Sep 1993 - Sep 1996

3 years 1 month

Essen, Germany

HR Clerk

Boecker oHG

Handling HR processes for 28 locations

May 1990 - Aug 1993

3 years 4 months

Pension Administrator

MAN Unternehmensberatung GmbH

Managing company pension schemes

Feb 1989 - Apr 1990

1 year 3 months

Accounting Clerk

Transport-Vertretungs-Service GmbH

Day-to-day accounting tasks

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 Professional Services (14 years), Manufacturing (11.5 years), Tourism (9.5 years), Construction (2 years), Transportation (1.5 years), and Government and Administration (1.5 years).

Professional Services

Manufacturing

Tourism

Construction

Transportation

Government and Administration

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 Human Resources (36 years) and Accounting (1 year).

Human Resources

Accounting

Summary

With over 30 years of experience, I am an HR professional through and through. As a consultant, I lead HR projects or fill vacant positions as an interim HR manager during a gap. I am used to communicating confidently at all levels while being strong in operational implementation.

Skills

Interim Hr Management, Bridging Vacancies
Maternity, Parental Leave And Sickness Cover
Downsizing And Restructuring
Building And Optimizing Hr Departments
Introducing And Documenting Hr Processes
Works Council Agreements
Business Transfers
Supporting Due Diligence

Languages

German

Native

English

Advanced

Education

Oct 2007 - Jun 2009

Donau-Universität Krems

Professional MBA, Strategic Management · Professional MBA Strategic Management · Krems an der Donau, Austria

Oct 1991 - Jun 1993

Bildungswerk der Wirtschaft e.V. für Essen, Mülheim, Oberhausen

Certified HR Specialist (IHK) · Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany

Oct 1986 - Jun 1989

MAN Gutehoffnungshütte GmbH

Industrial Clerk, Commercial Assistant Certificate (IHK) · Oberhausen, Germany

Profile

Created

January 2025

Last Update

August 2025

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Frequently asked questions

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

Where is Katja based?

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

What languages does Katja speak?

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

How many years of experience does Katja have?

Katja has at least 37 years of experience. During this time, Katja has worked in at least 18 different roles and for 20 different companies. The average length of individual experience is 2 years and 9 months. Note that Katja may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.

What roles would Katja be best suited for?

Based on recent experience, Katja would be well-suited for roles such as: Head of HR, HR Operations Manager, VP Human Resources.

What is Katja's latest experience?

Katja's most recent position is Head of HR at Knapheide Solutions GmbH, Knapheide Schlauchtechnik GmbH.

What companies has Katja worked for in recent years?

In recent years, Katja has worked for Knapheide Solutions GmbH, Knapheide Schlauchtechnik GmbH, Kostal Automobil Elektrik GmbH & Co. KG, Wüsthof GmbH, LGI Logistics Solutions GmbH, and Pandora Jewelry GmbH.

Which industries is Katja most experienced in?

Katja is most experienced in industries like Professional Services, Manufacturing, and Tourism and Hospitality. Katja also has some experience in Construction, Government and Public Administration, and Transportation and Logistics.

Which business areas is Katja most experienced in?

Katja is most experienced in business areas like Human Resources (HR), Accounting, and Operations.

Which industries has Katja worked in recently?

Katja has recently worked in industries like Professional Services, Manufacturing, and Automotive.

Which business areas has Katja worked in recently?

Katja has recently worked in business areas like Human Resources (HR) and Operations.

What is Katja's education?

Katja holds a Master in Professional MBA Strategic Management from Donau-Universität Krems.

What is the availability of Katja?

Katja is immediately available full-time for suitable projects.

What is the rate of Katja?

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