Norbert Pluta - Head of Operations & HR

Q: Where is Norbert based?

Norbert is based in Mülheim, Germany .

Q: What languages does Norbert speak?

Norbert speaks the following languages: German (Native), English (Advanced), Polish (Advanced), Russian (Intermediate) .

Q: How many years of experience does Norbert have?

Norbert has at least 29 years of experience. During this time, Norbert has worked in at least 8 different roles and for 8 different companies . The average length of individual experience is 3 years and 3 months . Note that Norbert may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.

Q: What is Norbert's latest experience?

Norbert's most recent position is Head of Operations & HR at VIAS Rail GmbH und VIAS Logistik GmbH .

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

In recent years, Norbert has worked for VIAS Rail GmbH und VIAS Logistik GmbH , GURA Intralogistik GmbH , and Finding Heads International GmbH .

Q: Which industries is Norbert most experienced in?

Norbert is most experienced in industries like Retail , Professional Services , and Construction . Norbert also has some experience in Energy , Transportation and Logistics , and Manufacturing .

Q: Which business areas is Norbert most experienced in?

Norbert is most experienced in business areas like Sales , Strategy and Planning , and Procurement and Purchasing . Norbert also has some experience in Marketing , Supply Chain Management , and Human Resources (HR) .

Q: Which industries has Norbert worked in recently?

Norbert has recently worked in industries like Professional Services and Transportation and Logistics .

Q: Which business areas has Norbert worked in recently?

Norbert has recently worked in business areas like Human Resources (HR) , Strategy and Planning , and Operations .

Recommended expert

Mülheim, Germany

Experience

Apr 2024 - Present

2 years

Head of Operations & HR

VIAS Rail GmbH und VIAS Logistik GmbH

Responsible for operating personnel in the Odenwald, Rheingau and Frankfurt regions

May 2023 - Apr 2024

1 year

Head of Train Crew Division

VIAS Rail GmbH und VIAS Logistik GmbH

Interim management as division head responsible for operating personnel
Coaching and training managers
HR

Jun 2021 - Mar 2023

1 year 10 months

GURA Intralogistik GmbH

Rebuilding the company after insolvency
Restructuring

May 2020 - Present

5 years 11 months

C-Level Manager

Finding Heads International GmbH

C-level management
Management consulting
Coaching and training of executives
Headhunting

Jan 2017 - Dec 2020

4 years

Managing Director / Country Head Poland/Eastern Europe

HKL Baumaschinen GmbH

Leading (building and coaching) a multicultural team
Managing teams for marketing, sales, development and supply chain
Establishing the rental business
Creating business plans and aligning them with the holding company
Conducting negotiations for international major projects
Monthly/weekly reporting to the holding company
Responsible for expansion
Developing a new vision for digitalizing the business and a growth strategy for the coming years
Achieved approx. 20% revenue and EBIT growth within two years
Expanded the service business by more than 30% over two years
Revitalized the organization through new hires, change management and reorganization
Renewed the product portfolio: established rental operations, launched construction shops and introduced new products
Expanded CRM
Successfully acquired and integrated a competitor

Jan 2016 - Dec 2017

2 years

Head of Sales Eastern Europe

Boels DIY Rental

Rental of construction machinery and equipment, as well as small equipment rental for DIY and specialty stores
Implementation of our billing system HYDRA at business partner sites
National and international sales/project management
Development of a new vision and an international growth strategy
Internationalization of the business from 10% to 40%
Growth of international business
Expansion of the product portfolio

Jan 2011 - Dec 2015

5 years

Sales Director

Hadek B.V.

Defining the growth strategy for Germany
Establishing and leading the German company (sales, service, technical) as General Manager
Representing and enforcing the company's interests internally and externally
Acquiring new customers and managing key accounts
Executing turnkey projects in power plants
Successful implementation of the international growth strategy
Doubling revenue in four years
Optimizing marketing and sales
Representing the company in international forums such as CiCind

Jan 2008 - Dec 2011

4 years

Managing Director / Country Executive Poland

Rema Tip Top GmbH

Coordinating and optimizing the supply chain (purchasing, production, logistics, service support to the CEO on strategic projects and M&A)
Founding a financial holding company and managing it
Founding an operational company and managing it
Expanding national and international business
Growing the Polish company's sales from zero to €16M in four years
Launching a new product line

Jan 1997 - Dec 2007

11 years

Managing Director / Country Executive Sales in Poland

OBI Baumärkte Wermelskirchen

Managing 16 large-format stores (over 10,000 m²)
Supporting franchise partners in the Baltics
Leading expansion in Poland
Increasing market presence – growing from 7 to 16 stores
Developing new markets in the Baltics and Ukraine
Developing new local suppliers

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 Retail (11 years), Professional Services (6 years), Construction (5 years), Energy (5 years), Transportation (4.5 years), and Manufacturing (4 years).

Retail

Professional Services

Construction

Energy

Transportation

Manufacturing

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 (21 years), Strategy (13 years), Procurement (11 years), Marketing (9 years), Supply Chain Management (8 years), and Human Resources (6 years).

Sales

Strategy

Procurement

Marketing

Supply Chain Management

Human Resources

Summary

Does your company need fresh impetus or a competent push?
As a managing director, are you looking for a 'sparring partner on equal footing'?
Is one of your executives unavailable and needs a temporary replacement?
Does your project need active support or leadership, or is it at risk of failing?
Is your company planning changes and in need of doers?

Experienced interim manager with strong leadership skills focused on sales and HR

I am available for demanding interim leadership roles, bringing more than 30 years of experience as a managing director in medium-sized companies, especially in trade, technical sales and rail transport.

As a business economist by education, I bring strong leadership, intercultural competence and the ability to motivate teams and successfully implement change processes.

With extensive expertise in corporate management, sales, marketing and HR, I have worked nationally and internationally across Europe, Eastern Europe and Asia.

My professional strengths are in managing complex industrial projects, selling technically complex products, as well as coaching.

Skills

Over 30 Years Of Sales Experience As Managing Director / Country Director In Germany, Poland And Russia For Mid-sized Companies
Experience As Managing Director Of Finance And Organization
Experience As International Project Manager And Director
Deep Expertise In The Manufacturing Industry (Plastics, Tires, Industrial Rubber, Conveyor Belt Technology, Automotive And Intralogistics)
Strong Experience In Construction Machinery Sales And Rental
Successful In Building (Start-up) And Reorienting Companies, As Well As Digitizing Business Models And Processes With Significant Revenue And Profit Increases
Generalist Focusing On International Business Development And Sales
Specialist In Building Or Renewing Processes And Organizations Across All Company Areas
Experience In M&a (Due Diligence, Acquisition)
Analytical, Strategic And Holistic Thinking With A Hands-on Mentality
Recognized Leader Who Successfully Builds And Sustainably Motivates Teams
Managing Director / Country Head Of A Diy Retail Chain In Poland And The Baltics (Approx. 400 Employees)
Managing Director Of Finance And Organization For A Holding And An Operating Company In Poland (Approx. 100 Employees)
Sales Director In The Netherlands (Approx. 10 Employees)
Project Manager (With Up To 15 Employees)
Chimney Construction, Flue Gas Desulfurization Plant Construction, Management Of Turnkey Projects In Plant Engineering
General Management
Corporate Strategy
Business Development
Sales (Development Of Sales Processes And Organizations)
Marketing
Finance (Controlling, Reporting, Cash Management)
Supply Chain Management
Strategy And Business Model Development
Growth Through New Product Development And Internationalization
Organizational Development, Process Optimization
Restructuring/turnaround, International Experience

Languages

German

Native

English

Advanced

Polish

Advanced

Russian

Intermediate

Education

Oct 1986 - Jun 1991

Dortmund University of Applied Sciences

Diploma in Business Administration · Dortmund, Germany

Oct 1977 - Jun 1981

Secondary school (Gymnasium)

Rüthen, Germany

Profile

Created

January 2026

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Frequently asked questions

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

Where is Norbert based?

Norbert is based in Mülheim, Germany.

What languages does Norbert speak?

Norbert speaks the following languages: German (Native), English (Advanced), Polish (Advanced), Russian (Intermediate).

How many years of experience does Norbert have?

Norbert has at least 29 years of experience. During this time, Norbert has worked in at least 8 different roles and for 8 different companies. The average length of individual experience is 3 years and 3 months. Note that Norbert may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.

What roles would Norbert be best suited for?

Based on recent experience, Norbert would be well-suited for roles such as: Head of Operations & HR, Head of Train Crew Division, C-Level Manager.

What is Norbert's latest experience?

Norbert's most recent position is Head of Operations & HR at VIAS Rail GmbH und VIAS Logistik GmbH.

What companies has Norbert worked for in recent years?

In recent years, Norbert has worked for VIAS Rail GmbH und VIAS Logistik GmbH, GURA Intralogistik GmbH, and Finding Heads International GmbH.

Which industries is Norbert most experienced in?

Norbert is most experienced in industries like Retail, Professional Services, and Construction. Norbert also has some experience in Energy, Transportation and Logistics, and Manufacturing.

Which business areas is Norbert most experienced in?

Norbert is most experienced in business areas like Sales, Strategy and Planning, and Procurement and Purchasing. Norbert also has some experience in Marketing, Supply Chain Management, and Human Resources (HR).

Which industries has Norbert worked in recently?

Norbert has recently worked in industries like Professional Services and Transportation and Logistics.

Which business areas has Norbert worked in recently?

Norbert has recently worked in business areas like Human Resources (HR), Strategy and Planning, and Operations.

What is Norbert's education?

Norbert attended Dortmund University of Applied Sciences.

What is the availability of Norbert?

Norbert is immediately available full-time for suitable projects.

What is the rate of Norbert?

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