Recommended expert

Rolf Funk

Managing Director

Rolf Funk
Bühlerzell, Germany

Experience

Jul 2019 - Present
6 years 9 months
Germany

Managing Director

fudim GmbH

  • Solutions and services in interim management, customer acquisition, coaching, and training
Jan 2019 - Jun 2019
6 months
Germany

Lead Project Manager

  • Ecosystem-based adaptation of a private forest to climate change
Aug 2014 - Dec 2018
4 years 5 months
Winnenden, Germany

Head of International Product Management Vehicle Wash (Car Wash Systems)

Alfred Kärcher SE & Co. KG

  • Reported to executive management and was a member of the Engineered Solutions management board
  • Personnel responsibility for 10 employees
  • Restructured global product management
  • Responsible for the global Vehicle Wash portfolio, and for developing and implementing the worldwide product strategy
  • Coordinated portfolios in Germany, China, and the USA
  • Initiated product developments, innovations, and platforms
  • Defined and implemented pricing policy
  • Defined and implemented marketing strategies
  • Reduced development costs for platform devices by about 30%
  • Transformed the "me-too" product into a unique selling proposition solution
  • Planned and executed the sales strategy in Emerging Europe for a self-service car wash project
  • Adapted the product portfolio to regional market requirements
  • Developed a new payment app
  • Increased sales by 70% in the first year
  • Saved over €100,000 in development budget
  • Used design thinking to develop a new self-service platform strategy to reduce variant diversity
  • Modularized products
  • Implemented an order-to-cash process from sales through production to invoicing
  • Increased self-service vacuum sales by over 20% and doubled margins
  • Successfully participated in a tender for over 600 self-service vacuums with sales volume over €2.0 million
Jan 2010 - Jul 2014
4 years 7 months
Winnenden, Germany

Head of Sales and Business Development for Oil Companies and Investors (Germany)

Alfred Kärcher Vertriebs-GmbH

  • Reported to executive management
  • Personnel responsibility for 20 employees
  • Restructured the business unit
  • Defined and established a new market approach strategy from commodity to full-service provider
  • Introduced automated order processing in project business
  • Introduced a new control and incentive model
  • Responsible for sales and budget planning
  • Tripled sales from €4.5 million to €14.0 million (2007–2014)
  • Achieved the highest global sales by country division
  • Analyzed the market and benchmarks for focused market approach
  • Established key account management
  • Implemented the safety concept internally for service stations
  • Established as a market-relevant partner and supplier for ARAL, ORLEN, and SHELL
  • Increased sales from €50k (2009) to €2.5 million (2014)
Jan 2007 - Dec 2009
3 years
Germany

Head of Sales and Business Development for Industrial Cleaning Systems (Germany)

  • Reported to executive management
  • Personnel responsibility for 15 employees
  • Reorganized sales departments
  • Planned and implemented a market approach strategy for direct and trade sales with comprehensive market analysis and business plan
  • Built direct sales and key account management
  • Planned and executed a new marketing strategy
  • Achieved annual sales growth of over 20%
  • Delivered to Daimler AG, Volkswagen, and BASF
  • Defined the project goal and project plan for an industry database in Germany
  • Identified potential overall, by target group, and by product
  • Conducted potential analysis by postal code areas for direct sales and specialized trade
  • Created a global blueprint for market segmentation and sales management
Jan 2003 - Dec 2006
4 years
Germany

Sales Representative and Consultant for Vehicle Care Centers and Franchise Manager

cleanpark GmbH

  • Reporting to management
  • Restructuring of cleanpark GmbH and the franchise system
  • Development and implementation of the marketing strategy
  • Responsible for sales, budget planning and cost center
  • Brand relaunch of "cleanpark" with the introduction of a new logo at 250 car wash facilities
Jul 1995 - Dec 2002
7 years 6 months
Winnenden, Germany

Technical Consultant

cleanpark GmbH

  • Main contact for 250 franchisees on technical issues
  • Ensuring quality and appearance at the facilities
  • Development of a nationwide training concept for practical knowledge transfer and raising the quality standards of the franchise facilities

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 Professional Services (14 years), Manufacturing (7.5 years), Energy (4.5 years), Automotive (4 years), and Agriculture (0.5 years).

Professional Services
Manufacturing
Energy
Automotive
Agriculture

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 Marketing (18 years), Human Resources (14 years), Sales (11.5 years), Customer Service (7.5 years), Quality Assurance (7.5 years), and Operations (4.5 years).

Marketing
Human Resources
Sales
Customer Service
Quality Assurance
Operations

Summary

  • Head of sales and product management with leadership experience in German SMEs and international corporations
  • Expertise in planning and delivering technical and sales training as well as enforcing selective sales strategies
  • Strategic pricing and repositioning, launching new products, and acquiring and developing strategically important customers
  • Industry experience: mechanical engineering, industrial, oil sector, automotive
  • Soft skills: customer- and employee-focused approach, empathetic, dynamic, team-oriented, adaptable, flexible, goal- and results-oriented
  • Hard skills / core competencies: business development, strategic sales development and transformation, marketing
  • Leadership style: integrative, collaborative, motivating, hands-on mentality
  • International experience: worldwide

Skills

  • Ms Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook, Sap, Business Model Canvas
  • Volunteer: Municipal Council Member In Bühlerzell From 1994 To 2024; Deputy Mayor; Board Member Of The Bürgerstiftung Bühlerzell; Youth Coach At Sportfreunde Bühlerzell
  • Interests: Football, Reading, Traveling

Languages

German
Native
English
Advanced
French
Advanced

Education

Mar 1992 - Feb 1995

Aalen University of Applied Sciences

Diploma in Industrial Engineering (FH) · Industrial Engineering · Aalen, Germany

Mar 1990 - Feb 1992

Heilbronn University of Applied Sciences, Künzelsau Campus

Industrial Engineering · Künzelsau, Germany

Jan 1990 - Feb 1990

Karl Hans Bauer oHG

Industrial Engineering · Sulzbach-Laufen, Germany

...and 2 more

Certifications & licenses

Accredited BAFA Consultant (#178248)

Certified Coach2Call

Academy Martin Geiger

Profile

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Frequently asked questions

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

Where is Rolf based?

Rolf is based in Bühlerzell, Germany.

What languages does Rolf speak?

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

How many years of experience does Rolf have?

Rolf has at least 31 years of experience. During this time, Rolf has worked in at least 7 different roles and for 4 different companies. The average length of individual experience is 4 years and 5 months. Note that Rolf may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.

What roles would Rolf be best suited for?

Based on recent experience, Rolf would be well-suited for roles such as: Managing Director, Lead Project Manager, Head of International Product Management Vehicle Wash (Car Wash Systems).

What is Rolf's latest experience?

Rolf's most recent position is Managing Director at fudim GmbH.

What companies has Rolf worked for in recent years?

In recent years, Rolf has worked for fudim GmbH.

Which industries is Rolf most experienced in?

Rolf is most experienced in industries like Professional Services, Manufacturing, and Energy. Rolf also has some experience in Automotive and Agriculture.

Which business areas is Rolf most experienced in?

Rolf is most experienced in business areas like Marketing, Human Resources (HR), and Sales. Rolf also has some experience in Customer Service, Quality Assurance (QA), and Strategy and Planning.

Which industries has Rolf worked in recently?

Rolf has recently worked in industries like Professional Services.

Which business areas has Rolf worked in recently?

Rolf has recently worked in business areas like Human Resources (HR) and Marketing.

What is Rolf's education?

Rolf holds a Bachelor in Industrial Engineering from Aalen University of Applied Sciences, a Bachelor in Industrial Engineering from Heilbronn University of Applied Sciences, Künzelsau Campus and a Bachelor in Industrial Engineering from Karl Hans Bauer oHG.

Does Rolf have any certificates?

Rolf has 2 certificates. These include: Accredited BAFA Consultant (#178248) and Certified Coach2Call.

What is the availability of Rolf?

Rolf is immediately available full-time for suitable projects.

What is the rate of Rolf?

Rolf'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 Rolf?

To hire Rolf, 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.

1200
900
600
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Market avg: 1010-1170 €
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.