Ole Himmel - Manager Post Merger Integration, Process Management and Digitalization (Software)

Recommended expert

Leipzig, Germany

Experience

Jun 2025 - Dec 2025

7 months

Munich, Germany

Hybrid

Senior Business Analyst IT

TÜV Süd AG

Supported the team in the scheduling optimization area of the newly founded Digital Hub to anchor the digitalization strategy.
Identified, documented and brought transparency to the entire IT application landscape of the group in the scheduling area.
Conducted market research on scheduling applications.
Analyzed the existing Application Compass and created a sublist of scheduling applications.
Identified points of contact, planned and conducted interviews with 5 lead IT architects per business unit.
Planned and conducted about 40 interviews with the identified application owners by priority.
Technically evaluated the interviews and prepared a management presentation.
Analyzed existing infrastructure data and documented results in a logical structure.
Technologies: MS Office, MS Outlook.

May 2025 - Dec 2025

8 months

Remote

Migration Project Manager

DB InfraGo AG

DB InfraGo AG aims to harmonize its project management software for construction projects as part of consolidating its IT landscape.
A new software based on SharePoint is currently being developed with the aim of replacing as many legacy applications as possible in the three business areas: DB Infrastructure, DB Passenger Stations and DB Energy.
Took over the entire rollout management of this software and managed the migration of 3 legacy systems used by over 3,000 users.
Ensured system availability in compliance with construction operation regulations and coordinated the handover to operations.
Planned the entire rollout for 3 legacy systems with over 3,000 users.
Defined the migration methodology, coordinated with external suppliers for exports, drove business mapping, and managed implementation planning with Sharegate and PowerShell.
Engaged the communications department and synchronized with the DevOps teams.
Stakeholder management and creation of the migration concept including testing and soft launch.
Used structured interviews, Jira, Confluence, Miro, SAFe and Kanban.
Roadmap and milestone planning as well as business process mapping.
Analyzed the IT landscape with a focus on software including data mapping.
Change management according to Kübler-Ross and Kotter.
Technologies: MS Outlook, MS Planner, Sharegate.

Jan 2025 - Oct 2025

10 months

Krailling, Germany

Hybrid

Post Merger Integration Project Manager

4JET Group

Led the PMI project following 4JET Group’s acquisition of Corning Laser Technologies GmbH.
Managed all workstreams, advised on setting up the target organization, and actively led the IT workstreams including cutover and change management.
Supported negotiations with the works council and helped draft the reconciliation of interests and social plan.
Responsible for the IT applications focus area, including analysis of the IT landscape post-acquisition and selection and implementation of core systems.
Developed an integration plan with defined integration priorities.
Identified, implemented and monitored cost savings and efficiency gains.
Ensured a smooth transition without disrupting ongoing business.
Communicated clearly and transparently with employees and managers and managed resistance and cultural challenges.
Identified and managed risks.
Used structured interviews, target operating model (TOM), PMI frameworks, and business process mapping.
Analyzed the IT landscape including data mapping and applied change management according to Kübler-Ross and Kotter.
Technologies: MS Office, MS Outlook.

Dec 2024 - Mar 2025

4 months

IT Sourcing Project Manager

Verwaltungs-Berufsgenossenschaft (VBG)

Supported market research and business analysis for IT applications in process automation (RPA) with AI model integration.
Managed an EU-wide tender and implementation of an automation platform to address demographic challenges in the workforce.
Assisted in capturing and coordinating end-to-end processes at levels 3-4.
Identified, evaluated and formulated use cases from business units and management levels.
Prepared tender and award documents and provided specialist support during the procurement.
Updated the market analysis of RPA applications and created the RPA implementation roadmap.
Aligned RPA use cases with business units and selected managers.
Published the RPA tender and communicated with vendors.
Developed a criteria-based evaluation scheme and evaluated submitted proposals.
Made the decision on the tool and the IT implementation partner.
Used process capture interviews, evaluation matrices, and RPA/AI methods.
Technologies: MS DevOps, WebEx, MS Office, MS Outlook.

Oct 2024 - Mar 2025

6 months

ERP Consultant

BTE Stelcon GmbH

Supported the implementation of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations as part of the group-wide IT strategy.
Responsible for planning, execution and documentation in the areas of training, support, migration and testing.
Performed system tests and reported results to the implementation partner.
Supported change management throughout all project phases.
Established a community of practice, provided learning materials and set up a support structure.
Familiarized with customer-specific customizations of the D365 installation and configuration.
Conducted key user trainings and workshops and created training videos.
Assisted in creating test cases and managed and oversaw testing phases.
Advised on tailored ITIL and stakeholder management.
Technologies: MS Dynamics 365 (F&O), MS Teams, MS Office, MS SharePoint, MS Outlook.

May 2024 - Dec 2024

8 months

IT Project Manager / CRM Consultant

value AG

Support for the relaunch of the CRM application Microsoft Dynamics 365 Sales to optimize and digitize the sales department.
Capturing core processes and technical configuration of the application using an agile approach.
Implementing incremental changes and simple improvements in the form of an MVP.
Introducing a Community of Practice, providing learning materials, and setting up a support structure.
Defining the scope for the process area and conducting process recording and optimization workshops.
Building and managing an agile implementation backlog.
Configuring views, dashboards, workflows, as well as roles and permissions in Dynamics 365.
Testing and acceptance of backlog items, as well as training and communication of new features.
Stakeholder management and conducting analysis workshops.
Technologies: MS Dynamics 365 (Sales), MS Teams, MS Office, MS SharePoint, MS Outlook.

Feb 2024 - Aug 2024

7 months

Troisdorf, Germany

Hybrid

Strategy Consultant / Co-Project Manager Post Merger Integration

TX Logistik AG

Operational project management and leadership of the Project Office during the post merger integration of Exploris Holding Deutschland GmbH.
Consulting in production, human resources and IT to support the integration of the new company.
Initial project setup and in-depth analysis of the functional areas on the buyer and seller sides.
Assessing integration readiness after a reorganization and detailed analysis of the new company's operational business.
Stakeholder management across all levels from clerical staff to the board, including consideration of the Italian owner.
Setting up the project organization including regular meetings, project planning and reporting.
Defining and aligning work packages and delineating the scope of work.
Analyzing structures, processes and costs through interview series and workshops.
Hypothesis-based working to develop revenue, efficiency and cost targets.
Developing a target organization and aligning with C-level management.
Technologies: MS Teams, MS Office.

Aug 2023 - Apr 2024

9 months

IT Product Manager

DB Fernverkehr AG

Interim product management for the train components passenger information system and reservation system during the transition from project to operations.
Requesting and reviewing offers both in terms of content and form.
Monitoring the further development of system components including test planning and commissioning on the train.
Coordination of incident and problem management between internal departments and suppliers.
Documenting processes in operations and further development.
Risk and change management including creating Change Requests (CR).
Creating annual roadmaps and aligning budget approvals with decision makers.
Conducting supplier workshops, process interviews and using Kanban methods.
Technologies: MS Teams, MS Project, MS Office.

Nov 2022 - Mar 2023

5 months

IT Strategy Consultant

Ginkgo Management Consulting GmbH

Operationalizing the new strategic direction in the IT department of a large automotive OEM.
Supporting an outsourcing project for user hardware and software management by an external service provider.
Mapping current tasks to the IT strategy to identify core and peripheral tasks.
Presenting tasks by team including resource planning.
Preparing, conducting and documenting workshops with team leads to align task mapping.
Structuring data with MS PowerPoint and MS Excel.
Applying storytelling, pyramid presentation and moderation techniques.
Technologies: MS Teams, MS Office, MS Project.

May 2022 - Dec 2023

1 year 8 months

IT Project Lead

ROPEX Industrie-Elektronik GmbH

Restart and turnaround management of a previously halted ERP implementation project.
Carrying out an initial project assessment as well as aligning and documenting all production-related core processes up to Level 2.
Developing the project structure and organization as well as gathering requirements for subprojects ERP, processes, data cleansing and tools.
Controlling and monitoring project status as well as conducting process recording interviews and strategic end-to-end process workshops with management.
Advising on process planning and optimization of selected processes.
Managing the IT department in terms of migration, IT landscape, data modeling and data flow analysis.
Introducing a DMS application (DocuWare) to replace a deprecated solution, including process analysis for incoming invoices, outgoing invoices and logistics data storage.
Market research and selection of DMS applications as well as designing the test environment and carrying out the migration.
Coordinating the introduction of a BI application (Qlik Sense) including capturing the backlog for reports and aligning roles and permissions.
Consulting on tailored ITIL and conducting requirements workshops.
Technologies: ERP C3 (Theurer), DocuWare, Qlik Sense, Sycat, MS Project, MS Teams, MS Office.

Oct 2021 - Apr 2022

7 months

IT Project Manager

Julada GmbH

Complete digitalization of the inventory management system and integration with a shop system for a newly founded retail store.
Planning and implementation of the inventory management system, including migration and labeling.
Integration of the POS system with the inventory management system.
Creation of an initial process map and development of a semi-automated reporting system for accounting.
Set up of the shop system and integration with the inventory management system, including customization via coding.
Integration with a logistics service provider.
Planning and piloting of an eCommerce marketing campaign, as well as conducting customer training sessions.
Use of rapid prototyping and coding in Liquid/CSS/HTML.
Technologies: Shopify, Zettle, Pipedream.com, Meta Marketing Manager, Google Ads, MS Teams, MS Office.

Oct 2021 - Feb 2022

5 months

Senior PMO SAFe

DB Netz AG

Support IT areas in transforming into an agile organization according to the SAFe framework.
Transition of traditionally structured programs into Value Teams (Large Solution) and support for pilot programs.
Introducing development teams to the Scrum framework and formation of Agile Release Trains (ARTs).
Taking over the program management office for a large-scale project.
Planning and execution of agile program management.
Coordination of interfaces, as well as planning, execution, and documentation of all meetings between the Value Team and ARTs.
Responsibility for overall risk and dependency management.
Stakeholder management and administration of the Jira instance for 500 users.
Leading the Jira community of practice.
Technologies: Jira, Confluence, AgileHive, MS Teams, MS Office.

Feb 2021 - Aug 2021

7 months

IT Product Manager

DB Fernverkehr AG

Equipping the long-distance fleet with a high-performance, vendor-independent comfort IT infrastructure.
Defining the IT infrastructure for the operational network, including piloting and rollout for each train series.
Supporting the development of customer-specific software for the central computing unit.
Checking cabling and commissioning of display systems using test routines on the trains.
Planning and execution of agile project management using Scrum and SAFe.
Documenting the product roadmap in Confluence.
Creating and aligning the concept with stakeholders during a reorganization.
Preparing reports in Jira, as well as budget allocation and contract drafting.
Aligning business requirements with the technical product owner.
Creating implementation plans, including timelines, while keeping within budget.
Acceptance of delivery artifacts and support in test planning.
Technologies: Jira, Confluence, MS Teams, MS Office.

Oct 2020 - Feb 2021

5 months

IT Rollout Project Manager

Jungheinrich AG

Modernizing the entire IT infrastructure, including identity & access management, cloud services, and network technology upgrade across 38 sales companies.
Conducting capacity planning and creating and updating the project plan.
Preparing and drafting tender documents for hardware worth over 1,000,000 euros.
Coordinating the tenders with experts, as well as reviewing and evaluating the bids.
Coaching the co-project managers in agile and traditional project management methods.
Planning and overseeing piloting at 2 locations, including creating a blueprint template for further rollout.
Planning the rollout schedule for all 36 locations in terms of timing, duration, and staffing needs.
Preparing, conducting, and documenting steering meetings and Scrum formats.
Creating a communication plan for stakeholders.
Technologies: MS SharePoint, MS Teams, MS Office.

Jan 2019 - Oct 2019

10 months

Lead Consultant

collaboration Factory AG

Introducing project management standards for a growing organization with around 30 consultants.
Capturing, documenting, and revising existing artifacts such as tool templates and processes.
Conducting workshops and interviews to identify relevant PM artifacts according to Prince2 and PMP standards.
Defining project phases and introducing quality gates to standardize quality levels.
Designing quality criteria and approval processes.
Mapping and documenting processes according to BPMN 2.0.
Conducting rapid prototyping and proof of concepts (POCs) using cplace.
Communicating the changes in project management across the organization.
Technologies: cplace, Slack, Zoom, MS Office.

Nov 2017 - Aug 2019

1 year 10 months

Hanover, Germany

On-site

IT Project Manager PLM (Low Code)

Continental AG

Introduced the cplace PLM/ERP system for the entire product development through production planning.
Replaced existing standalone solutions with a highly flexible end-to-end solution.
Analyzed and documented requirements and created a customer-specific backlog.
Managed implementation using Scrum methodology with IT consultants and external developers.
Executed the go-live phase including hypercare.
Provided traditional project control towards management and agile coaching for the implementation team.
Introduced implementation reporting with KPIs and performed regular rescoping.
Acted as Scrum Master and partly as Product Owner in the development area.
Advised on and executed data model adjustments including data flow modeling.
Technologies: cplace, Tableau, Slack, Zoom, MS Office.

Nov 2014 - Oct 2017

3 years

Germany

Project Manager / Change Manager

DB Netz AG

Led the rollout team in the northern region for the Maintenance Process Standardization project.
Led the transition of all operational staff to a new process and IT landscape focusing on transparency and efficiency.
Provided technical leadership for the operational project team, including training, deployment planning and employee discussions.
Planned and conducted change workshops for operational managers.
Implemented and reviewed the milestone plan using the waterfall model.
Ensured quality of training content for process, IT and change formats.
Managed regional stakeholders and provided feedback to central leadership.
Technologies: SAP R3, customer app (Android), WebEx, MS Office.

May 2014 - Sep 2014

5 months

Senior Consultant

DB Schenker Logistics

Conducted a current state analysis of the project portfolio for the Europe region to increase transparency across all regions.
Conducted structured interviews with project managers for a consistent evaluation of ongoing projects.
Integrated the evaluation methodology into a standardized company process.
Developed a PMO handbook including status briefs for all projects and detailed five-page summaries for the top five projects.
Created a high-level concept for a PMO organization and defined communication channels.
Derived recommendations for action for each project based on defined criteria.
Technologies: MS Visio, MS Office.

Feb 2014 - Apr 2014

3 months

Dresden, Germany

Senior Consultant

DB Services

Managed the project, change management and process management in the northern and southern regions for the rollout of a digital work order management system in facility management.
Ensured operational staff adhered to new processes and KPIs.
Collected constructive feedback in expert rounds and communicated it to central project management.
Held expert workshops to narrow down issues and develop improvement suggestions.
Developed hypotheses to optimize the rollout situation.
Prepared decision and implementation proposals for overall project meetings.
Technologies: WebEx, MS Office.

May 2013 - Dec 2013

8 months

Senior Consultant

DB Regio

Assisted with the reorganization of indirect areas such as scheduling, fleet management, HR and finance.
Conducted a function analysis of existing processes to identify cost-saving potential.
Extracted process names and identified volume drivers together with department heads.
Generated a current state snapshot using questionnaires and conducted expert interviews with leaders to identify synergies.
Developed a transition matrix for the organizational transition and documented core tasks and new roles.
Authored optimized role and function descriptions.
Actively supported the preparation of decision templates and organizational instructions.
Technologies: MS Office.

Apr 2012 - Mar 2013

1 year

(Senior) Consultant

DB Station & Service

Analyzed a large facility management contract for cost optimization opportunities.
Identified about 24 potential cost-saving measures based on best practices.
Developed and validated the four most promising measures in detail together with the service provider.
Formulated implementation plans and piloted the concepts in one regional area.
Conducted business analysis in billing and managed stakeholders between departments and contractors.
Presented the agreed concepts at board level.
Created fact sheets for all relevant measures and rough concepts for the top five.
Technologies: MS Office.

Jan 2012 - Mar 2012

3 months

Hamburg, Germany

Consultant

S-Bahn Hamburg

Developed a concept for the workshop network due to increased vehicle demand from a new transport contract.
Analyzed the impact of the vehicle increase on production and operations with a focus on maintenance and storage capacity.
Performed an as-is analysis of existing storage areas and researched potential new sites.
Evaluated the sites using a utility analysis including life cycle cost (LCC) consideration.
Gathered information on infrastructure and real estate through expert interviews at subsidiaries.
Created fact sheets for about 24 analyzed storage sites, including technical drawings and cost estimates.
Determined ownership structures and drafted high-level implementation plans.
Technologies: MS Project, MS Office.

Jul 2011 - Dec 2011

6 months

Consultant

DB Netz AG

Managed and documented projects to prepare negotiations for the service and financing agreement (LuFV 2).
Verified the number of installations for all infrastructure companies through database queries (MS Access) and expert interviews.
Developed a uniform calculation logic for future funding needs of the infrastructure companies.
Validated and restructured the calculation logic in workshops.
Supported the derivation and evaluation of negotiation strategies.
Merged raw data to create a valid database.
Technologies: MS Access, MS Office.

Oct 2008 - Jun 2011

2 years 9 months

System Engineer

WABCO Development GmbH

Developed systems for a multiplex system consisting of up to nine control units on behalf of EVOBUS.
Managed requirements, integrated software onto hardware, and verified overall system functions.
Conducted prototype commissioning at the customer's site and led a software subproject.
System test management: created test specifications and designed the automated test environment.
Programmed a software interface from PC to CAN bus.
Followed a V-Spice development process including code reviews.
Technologies: MKS Integrity Manager, CANoe, CANalyzer, DOORS, MS Project, MS Office.

May 2007 - Sep 2008

1 year 5 months

Development Engineer

IAV GmbH

Developed and introduced processes for the new diagnostics technology UDS/ODX in emissions-related control units.
Coordinated technical innovations with control unit manufacturers and adapted internal development processes.
Supported communication between internal departments of different brands and external suppliers.
Represented the development department on the Change Control Board.
Introduced new workflows in vehicle projects and trained participants.
Created necessary process artifacts to support the line organization.
Tested and accepted delivered files directly on the test vehicle.
Modeled and presented workflows using swimlanes.
Technologies: MS Office, MS Project.

Summary

For more than 14 years, Ole Himmel has supported his clients in strategic, organizational, and transformational corporate projects. In doing so, he has worked with company structures ranging from start-ups and mid-sized businesses to international corporations, advising them on complex issues in strategic transformation projects, post-merger integrations (PMI), and the introduction and optimization of business processes. With enthusiasm, clear goal focus, empathy, open communication, and strong organizational skills, he gives his clients stability and confidence in volatile times of change.

Skills

Strategy Consulting: Swot Analysis, Adapted Bcg Matrix, Strategic Planning And Workshops (Executive Board Level), Change Management Framework (Kübler-ross), Porter's Five Forces Analysis, Benchmarking, Cost Structure Analysis, Synergy Assessment, Production/it/hr Due Diligence
Project Management: Classical/agile Project Management Methods, End-to-end Project Leadership, Multi-project Management, Product Owner And Scrum Master Roles, Project Planning, Escalation Management, Stakeholder Management, Risk Assessment, Planning/management Of It Rollouts, Pmo Implementation
Process Management: Functional Analysis Of Processes, High-level And Detailed Design Of Business Processes, Process Implementation (Raci), Process Reviews/audits, Process Capture, Process Modeling (Bpmn), Process Documentation/optimization, End-to-end Processes, Rpa
Software Development Life Cycle: Software Development Processes V-model/waterfall Model/scrum For Mechatronic Systems And Software Projects, Scoping And Grooming, Code Reviews, Planning/execution/documentation Of System Tests, Test Case Conception, Management Of (External) Development Teams
Industry Knowledge: Mobility (Rail, Infrastructure), Mechanical Engineering, Logistics (Rail Freight, Intralogistics), Software Manufacturing, Automotive (Cars And Commercial Vehicles), Facility Management
Tools: Cplace (Low-code Platform/plm/ppm/erp; Admin, Configurator And Low-code Developer), Jira/confluence (Project Management; Admin And Configurator), Hubspot (Crm; Admin And Configurator), Microsoft Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement (Crm/sales; Admin & Consultant), Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations (Admin And Configurator), Microsoft Project (Admin And Configurator), Docuware (Dms; Admin And Configurator), C3 (Erp; Admin And Configurator), Qlik Sense (Bi; Power User)

Languages

German

Native

English

Advanced

Education

Oct 2009 - Jul 2012

University of Bradford - School of Management

MBA · Business Administration · Bradford, United Kingdom

General Management

Oct 2001 - May 2007

University of Hanover

Diploma Engineer · Electrical Engineering · Hanover, Germany · 1.7

Control Engineering, Automation Technology, Energy Engineering

Certifications & licenses

BPMN 2.0 Basics

Signavio

Business Rhetoric

Hps

Certified Merger Integration Manager

Hhl

Certified Negotiator

Hhl

Certified SAFe 5 Agilist

Scaled Agile

Competitive Strategy

Lmu

Design Thinking Introduction

Hpi

Fundamentals of Data Engineering and Data Science

Hpi

ITIL Foundation & Managing Professional

Mp

PMP Certificate

Pmi

Product Owner

Pspo1

Rhetoric and Dialectic

Kirchner-Seminare

Scrum Master

Psm1

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