Ralf R. - Interim Management & Consulting

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Munich, Germany

Experience

Oct 2022 - Present

3 years 3 months

Munich, Germany

Interim Management & Consulting

Dr. Raabe Consult

Mar 2022 - Present

3 years 10 months

Southfield, United States

Vice President Global Engineering Thermal Comfort Systems

Lear Corporation

Ensured a successful operational handover of the product line.
Identified and implemented synergies across Lear’s overall business.
Execution.

Nov 2018 - Feb 2022

3 years 4 months

Zürich, Switzerland

Vice President - Global Engineering Interior Comfort Systems

Kongsberg Automotive

Worldwide responsibility for the development of interior comfort systems with over 200 employees.
From September 2019 to February 2022 also Managing Director of Kongsberg Automotive GmbH in Hallbergmoos near Munich with about 120 employees.
Rapid market launch of electro-pneumatic seat massage systems with 6 OEMs in the USA, Europe and Asia.
Development and vertical integration of modern active seat climate functions based on the development of new motors and subcomponents.
Reduced six external and internal development service providers by introducing in-house electronics development for hardware and software and building and managing a Technology Center in Pune, India, as a separate legal entity.
Increased efficiency in development by consistently using agile methods and simulating products and processes.
Drastically reduced employee turnover at the Hallbergmoos site after taking over management.
Generated alternative revenue during the corona crisis by quickly developing and launching face masks based on materials from the seat heating business and using existing production facilities.
Successfully secured cash flow during the corona crisis through appropriate measures.

Sep 2010 - Aug 2018

8 years

Munich, Germany

Senior Vice President – CoC Electronic Systems

Knorr-Bremse Systeme für Schienenfahrzeuge GmbH

Led the Global Electronic Systems Center, managing around 600 employees worldwide for electronics systems in train control computers, brakes, doors, HVAC and power management.
P&L responsibility for brake control electronics systems with revenue in the three-digit million € range.
Implemented global electronics standards based on a developed electronics strategy.
Maximized synergies and minimized existing product families.
Introduced modular, scalable and standardized solutions for software, hardware and mechanical design and leveraged carry-over.
Reduced costs by establishing best-cost development centers in Hungary, India and China.
Established a Technology Center in India with over 300 employees for rail in cooperation with the commercial vehicles division.
Developed a new generation of electronic brake controls, reducing customer project costs by up to 50%.
Consolidated three product families for electronic brake controls into one modular, standardized platform with a successful market launch for Hitachi high-speed trains in England and for Hyundai Rotem metros in India.
Successfully handled electronic project planning for over 200 customer projects worldwide and commissioning of trains at customer sites.
Introduced agile development methods and a unified obsolescence management.
Developed and implemented a connected systems strategy for all Knorr-Bremse rail subsystems.
Awarded the Hitachi Rail Supplier Award 2017.

Jun 2006 - Aug 2010

4 years 3 months

Lippstadt, Germany

Vice President - Body Electronics

Hella KGaA Hueck & Co.

Product and development responsibility for the product segment with profit & loss responsibility of €300 M revenue in FY 08/09.
Led 550 employees at 9 development sites in China, Germany, India, Romania and the USA.
Achieved annual revenue growth of 18% (CAGR) up to 10/2008.
Member of the advisory board of Intedis GmbH & Co. KG, a Hella/Leoni joint venture for wiring harness architectures.
Delivered a profitable result in FY 08/09 despite an eight-month share of the automotive crisis.
Industrialized 10 products in FY 08/09 and managed obsolescence of over 300 devices for long-term supply.
Expanded the product portfolio by entering a strategic partnership with ZF steering systems and developing a modular platform for electric steering, leading to a high volume production order after meeting QKT targets.
Entered the Korean market with energy management solutions for Hyundai in 15 vehicle models.
Received the Volkswagen Group Award 2008 for body control modules for the Golf platform, keyless entry/go systems for the Passat and radio transmitters for Golf and Polo platforms.
Received the GM Supplier of the Year Award 2006 for Hella body and memory seat controllers.

Jun 2003 - May 2006

3 years

Lippstadt, Germany

Head of Body Electronics Development

Hella KGaA Hueck & Co.

Responsible for development of the product families body control modules, access and authorization systems, roof control units and memory seat modules with 70 employees in Germany.
Strategically planned the global development network for the electronics division; implemented and led the global network for body electronics.
Globally implemented the Hella product creation process for body electronics.
Expanded the customer base for networked roof control units.
Developed a strategy for non-automotive products in the electronics division.

Jan 1999 - May 2003

4 years 5 months

Lippstadt, Germany

Head of International Projects

Hella KGaA Hueck & Co.

Led the international activities of the body electronics product line.
From June 2001 to May 2003, focused on business development in South America (Brazil), which included:
Business development for the electronics division reporting to management.
Conducted negotiations with potential joint venture partners and evaluated production sites.
Led sales activities.
Established development sites in the USA, China, India and Romania for the body electronics product line.
Successfully acquired and developed products for American and Chinese customers.
Developed a NAFTA production site strategy (including due diligence for existing plants in the USA and Mexico).
Completed a joint venture agreement to set up a production and development site in South America.
Prepared a business plan and production site strategy for South America.
Successfully won projects with Brazilian vehicle manufacturers.

Apr 1992 - Dec 1998

6 years 9 months

Aachen, Germany

Research Associate

Rheinisch Westfälische Technische Hochschule (RWTH)

Employed at the Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering (WZL).
Acquired and led projects funded by the EU, the German Research Foundation and the Steinbeis Foundation.
Developed digital controls that were adopted into series production by European machine tool manufacturers.
Earned PhD (Dr.-Ing.) on “Process Optimization for EDM Sinking with Neuro-Fuzzy Control”, grade: very good.

Jan 1992 - Mar 1992

3 months

Worcester, United States

Developer

Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI)

Development work on an industry-sponsored project.

Oct 1987 - Sep 1991

4 years

Aachen, Germany

Student Assistant at WZL

Rheinisch Westfälische Technische Hochschule (RWTH)

Hardware and software development for machine tool controls.

Jan 1983 - Dec 1985

3 years

Hamm, Germany

Intern

Bergbau AG Westfalen

Industrial internships in surface and underground operations during school and semester breaks.

Summary

Strong, results-driven and persuasive leader with many years of management experience in international automotive and rail vehicle companies in a global, intercultural environment as MD, SVP and VP
Methodical, structured working style with entrepreneurial thinking and actions
P&L responsibility for business units and global setup and leadership of development sites
Outstanding success in product and project management, design & development, professional product engineering with many years of experience in efficient and agile development methods
Numerous achievements in crisis management and in restructurings/transformations
Sales competence with strong customer focus and negotiation skills
Constant drive to implement goal-oriented solutions with a consistent focus on results
Analytical and decision-making skills with a focus on the essentials