Robert Book - Corporate Vice President, Global Supply Chain (Interim)

Schmitten im Taunus, Germany

Experience

Oct 2024 - Apr 2025

7 months

Corporate Vice President, Global Supply Chain (Interim)

tesa SE

Led the global supply chain at tesa, a €1.7 billion revenue producer of adhesives for industrial and consumer industries with multiple business units
Led teams responsible for supply chain strategic projects and global fulfillment initiatives, including materials management, logistics, and demand management in Europe, US, Asia and Middle East

Jan 2021 - Present

5 years 1 month

Business Strategy Consultant, Interim Manager for Operations and Supply Chain

Independent Consultant

Consulting customers in various industries for supply chain and operations transformations and turn-arounds
Production and S&OP process improvements in pharma
Production throughput improvements and complexity reduction in food & beverage
Maintenance strategy and operations in steel production
Material flow and logistics for large battery production facility
Global supply chain optimization in multi-industry adhesives producer

Jan 2019 - Dec 2021

3 years

Chief Operating Officer

Brüel & Kjaer (NSK)

Joined business as VP, Supply Chain & Operations
Led global operations and supply chain, including manufacturing, purchasing, quality, customer service, logistics, engineering projects and field services organizations for strategic profitable growth
Designed the business operating model for a services growth platform
Led the integration of customer services, project engineering, field services and remote monitoring teams
Led the transformation program
Developed a successful campaign to divest the business

Jan 2017 - Dec 2018

2 years

Senior Manager

UMS Consulting

Supported and enabled customers to implement improvements in supply chains and operations
Managed multiple customer accounts and projects
Trained and coached senior leaders in methodologies for operational excellence

Jan 2016 - Dec 2017

2 years

On-site

Global Director, Production and Capacity Planning

Klöckner Pentaplast

Led production planning and capacity management teams for 18 production sites globally
Structured processes and built programs to achieve order-to-ship lead time reductions
Improved asset utilizations and production cost efficiencies globally
Defined and led the transformation from a regional to a global supply chain structure

Jan 2013 - Dec 2016

4 years

On-site

Director, Supply Chain Europe & Asia

Klöckner Pentaplast

Directed supply chain operations for 9 production sites across Europe and Asia
Led 12 direct reports and 125 employees in production planning, materials management and distribution functions for 3 strategic business segments generating €700 M annual net sales
Developed supply chain configurations and service level agreements aligned to business go-to-market strategies
Managed site and regional capacities to ensure improved production and delivery performance
Optimized €45 M in inventories
Designed and implemented a standardized S&OP process

Jan 2010 - Dec 2013

4 years

Operational Excellence Leader, EMEA / Production Leader

SPX Corporation / SPX Flow Technology

Production Leader: Led manufacturing, assembly, test, warehouse and shipping operations for a €60 M revenue industrial pump production facility; responsible for 110 employees, daily production output to meet customer on-time delivery commitments, materials and manufacturing throughput improvements and revenue commitments
Operational Excellence Leader: Assessed operational performance and supported business leaders to develop improvement initiatives and strategies for on-time delivery, lead time reduction and throughput acceleration; consulted and trained business leaders and operational teams in Lean methodologies; coached, led, trained and facilitated continuous improvement project teams in the deployment of Lean and operational improvement projects

Jan 2007 - Dec 2010

4 years

Director, Six Sigma & Lean

Procise Management Consultancy GmbH

Developed strategic concepts and consulted client senior management teams in use of Six Sigma and Lean for overall business process performance management and improvement
Led and mentored a team of consultants in management consulting projects related to strategy development, process improvement and process management

Jan 2006 - Dec 2007

2 years

Lean & Six Sigma Master Black Belt / Country Quality Leader

GE Commercial Finance, Fleet Services Europe

Led Lean and Six Sigma deployment to deliver significant financial growth opportunities and cycle time, defect and cost reductions in fleet maintenance and operations processes across Europe
Developed and implemented key performance indicators and aligned process improvements with strategic business plans
Led a team of 5 Black Belts and mentored projects that delivered significant process improvements at local and national levels

Jan 2004 - Dec 2006

3 years

Director, Supply Chain & Information Technology

Honeywell Aerospace GmbH

Directed supply chain operations for a $225 M aerospace repair service center in Europe
Led 6 direct reports and 70 employees in repair and overhaul materials procurement, strategic sourcing, logistics, indirect sourcing and IT functions
Developed and implemented strategies and programs to improve engine and components repair cycle times, global supplier base performance and logistics network velocity
Optimized a purchase base of $125 M and an operational budget of $9.5 M

Jan 2003 - Dec 2004

2 years

Six Sigma Quality Leader, European Indirect Sourcing

GE Europe

Developed quality program deployment plans
Led and mentored Six Sigma quality and transactional/service Lean projects to optimize indirect sourcing processes across multiple GE businesses in Europe
Led business quality teams in change management and quality project management

Jan 1997 - Dec 2003

7 years

Various Supply Chain Leadership Roles

GE Transportation Systems, GE Aircraft Engines and GE Europe

Jan 1996 - Dec 1997

2 years

Director, Logistics

United States Army

Developed and implemented maintenance, transportation, supply and procurement plans and programs to support 700 soldiers, equipment valued at $580 M, 48 advanced attack helicopters and 200 vehicles

Jan 1995 - Dec 1996

2 years

General Manager (Commander), Aviation Maintenance Company

United States Army

Directed complete maintenance program for a fleet of 30 advanced attack helicopters and support equipment

Jan 1988 - Dec 1997

10 years

Captain, Aviation Branch

United States Army

Summary

A seasoned leader, with 25+ years of experience leading large Operations, Supply Chains and Operational Excellence organizations to deliver better performance and results, across multiple industries, in companies with global footprints.

Skills

Improved Production On-time Delivery Performance Across Key Sites By 12%, From 80% To 92%
Implemented Business-wide Demand And Supply Planning Processes (S&op), Enhancing Forecasting Accuracy By 50%, Material Availability By 25%
Designed And Implemented Multi-year Outsourcing Strategy For Assembly Of Major Locomotive Structures, Valued At $9.6 Million Annually; Negotiated Reduced Assembly Costs, Coordinated Daily Production And Managed Material Inventories
Led Teams To Improve Manufacturing Throughput By Average 30% And On-time Delivery By Average 40%
Designed And Deployed Lean Daily Management Systems And Factory Visual Management Techniques