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Martin Kiene

Founder & Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Martin Kiene
Cologne, Germany

Experience

Apr 2022 - Nov 2025
3 years 8 months

Founder & Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Vamea Group AG

  • Led the creation and expansion of an industrial group in the machinery and components sector
  • Executed six M&A transactions, including successful post-merger integrations
  • Scaled the organisation to over 150 employees and achieved mid double-digit million revenues
  • Driven strategic alignment, operational excellence, and sustainable growth across the group
Jan 2022 - Mar 2022
3 months

Chief Executive Officer (ad interim)

Cremer Speciaalmachines B.V. (Uhlmann Group)

  • Held full P&L responsibility for a mid-sized specialist machinery company in the counting systems segment
  • Stabilised operations and ensured business continuity during a period of transition
  • Strengthened organisational performance and leadership focus across all functions
Mar 2019 - Mar 2022
3 years 1 month

Vice President, Business Unit After Sales & Services

Uhlmann Pac-Systeme GmbH & Co. KG

  • Led a global business unit with approx. 500 employees and revenues exceeding €100M
  • Worked closely with major pharmaceutical and FMCG clients, delivering service excellence and strategic account growth
  • Transformed global sales and service structures, implemented digital tools, and increased profitability by over 10%
  • Fostered cross-functional collaboration and a customer-centric performance culture
Nov 2017 - Feb 2019
1 year 4 months

Director, Strategic Projects & Business Excellence

Uhlmann Pac-Systeme GmbH & Co. KG

  • Established and led the corporate development and transformation unit
  • Oversaw M&A activities, the Project Management Office, and the in-house consulting team
  • Delivered strategic initiatives supporting the company’s growth and operational efficiency goals
Jan 2015 - Oct 2017
2 years 10 months

Independent Advisor & Interim Executive

Independent Advisor & Interim Executive

  • Advised CEOs and executive boards on strategy, transformation, and digitalisation initiatives
  • Completed interim mandates at C-level, including as Chief Digital Officer
  • Supported clients in repositioning, turnaround, and business development projects
Jan 2013 - Dec 2014
2 years

Consultant

Mücke, Sturm & Company GmbH

  • Managed consulting projects in digital transformation and e-commerce
  • Developed and implemented multichannel sales models for leading industrial and consumer clients

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 (8 years), Professional Services (5 years), and Pharmaceutical (1.5 years).

Manufacturing
Professional Services
Pharmaceutical

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 (8 years), Operations (6.5 years), Information Technology (5 years), Finance (3.5 years), Customer Service (3 years), and Sales (3 years).

Strategy
Operations
Information Technology
Finance
Customer Service
Sales

Summary

I am an experienced CEO and transformation leader with a strong record in steering mid-sized industrial and consumer-focused organisations through periods of growth, integration, and performance improvement. My career has been defined by leading multi-country teams, driving commercial excellence, and executing complex transformation and M&A initiatives in international environments.

Most recently, as CEO of Vamea Group AG, I have been responsible for building a machinery and components group, successfully completing and integrating six acquisitions. Under my leadership, the organisation grew to over 150 employees and achieved mid double-digit million revenues.

Previously, as Vice President After Sales & Services at Uhlmann Pac-Systeme GmbH & Co. KG, I led a global team of around 500 employees with revenues exceeding €100M. In this role, I worked closely with major pharmaceutical and FMCG clients, strengthening long-term partnerships and ensuring service excellence across international markets. By transforming sales structures, implementing digital tools, and driving operational efficiency, I delivered a double-digit increase in profitability.

Having also worked as an independent advisor, interim manager, and consultant at Mücke, Sturm & Company, I bring a strong combination of strategic insight and hands-on execution capability. I thrive in complex, matrixed environments, aligning commercial and operational functions to deliver clear performance standards, accountability, and sustainable growth.

Skills

  • Machinery And Plant Engineering

  • Component Manufacturing And Industrial Groups

  • Pharmaceutical And Fmcg Sectors

  • Industrial Services And After-sales Operations

  • Executive Leadership (Ceo, Managing Director, Board Member)

  • Strategy Development And Business Transformation

  • Organisational Design And Change Management

  • Business Development And Sustainable Growth

  • Digitalisation And Process Optimisation

  • M&a, Buy-and-build Strategies, And Post-merger Integration

  • Integrative, Empathetic, And Results-oriented Leadership

  • Strategic Thinker With A Strong Hands-on Execution Focus

  • Proven Capability In Leading Teams Through Transformation And Change

  • Passionate About Business Development, Performance Acceleration, And Team Success

  • Excellent Proficiency In Microsoft Office

  • Advanced Knowledge Of Sap, Salesforce, And Digital Sales Platforms

  • Strong Experience With Digital Transformation And Crm-driven Performance Management

Languages

German
Native
English
Advanced

Education

Sep 2012 - Aug 2013

University of Strathclyde Business School

Master of Science in International Management, Graduated top of class · International Management · Glasgow, United Kingdom · Graduated top of class

Oct 2008 - Jun 2011

Vienna University of Economics and Business (WU Wien)

Bachelor of Science in Business and Economics, Graduated within top 10% of cohort · Business and Economics · Vienna, Austria · Graduated within top 10% of cohort

Profile

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Frequently asked questions

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

Where is Martin based?

Martin is based in Cologne, Germany.

What languages does Martin speak?

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

How many years of experience does Martin have?

Martin has at least 13 years of experience. During this time, Martin has worked in at least 6 different roles and for 5 different companies. The average length of individual experience is 2 years and 2 months. Note that Martin may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.

What roles would Martin be best suited for?

Based on recent experience, Martin would be well-suited for roles such as: Founder & Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chief Executive Officer (ad interim), Vice President, Business Unit After Sales & Services.

What is Martin's latest experience?

Martin's most recent position is Founder & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Vamea Group AG.

What companies has Martin worked for in recent years?

In recent years, Martin has worked for Vamea Group AG, Cremer Speciaalmachines B.V. (Uhlmann Group), and Uhlmann Pac-Systeme GmbH & Co. KG.

Which industries is Martin most experienced in?

Martin is most experienced in industries like Manufacturing, Professional Services, and Pharmaceutical.

Which business areas is Martin most experienced in?

Martin is most experienced in business areas like Strategy and Planning, Operations, and Information Technology (IT). Martin also has some experience in Finance, Project Management, and Customer Service.

Which industries has Martin worked in recently?

Martin has recently worked in industries like Manufacturing.

Which business areas has Martin worked in recently?

Martin has recently worked in business areas like Operations, Strategy and Planning, and Finance.

What is Martin's education?

Martin holds a Master in International Management from University of Strathclyde Business School and a Bachelor in Business and Economics from Vienna University of Economics and Business (WU Wien).

What is the availability of Martin?

Martin is immediately available for suitable projects.

What is the rate of Martin?

Martin'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 Martin?

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

Average rates for similar positions

Rates are based on recent contracts and do not include FRATCH margin.

1000
750
500
250
Market avg: 810-970 €
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.