Swen Knopp - Career break for reorientation

Q: Where is Swen based?

Swen is based in Wiesbaden, Germany .

Q: What languages does Swen speak?

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

Q: How many years of experience does Swen have?

Swen has at least 33 years of experience. During this time, Swen has worked in at least 13 different roles and for 4 different companies . The average length of individual experience is 3 years and 6 months . Note that Swen may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.

Q: What is Swen's latest experience?

Swen's most recent position is Career break for reorientation .

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

In recent years, Swen has worked for Opel/Stellantis .

Q: Which industries is Swen most experienced in?

Swen is most experienced in industries like Automotive , Chemical , and Pharmaceutical . Swen also has some experience in Professional Services .

Q: Which business areas is Swen most experienced in?

Swen is most experienced in business areas like Finance , Accounting , and Audit . Swen also has some experience in Marketing , Sales , and Project Management .

Q: Which industries has Swen worked in recently?

Swen has recently worked in industries like Automotive .

Q: Which business areas has Swen worked in recently?

Swen has recently worked in business areas like Finance , Procurement and Purchasing , and Accounting .

Recommended expert

Wiesbaden, Germany

Experience

Aug 2025 - Present

7 months

Career break for reorientation

Volunteer work
Personal projects

Apr 2023 - Jul 2025

2 years 4 months

Fixed Asset Control Manager Manufacturing

Opel/Stellantis

Introduced an asset recovery database to reuse equipment from other production sites instead of new purchases
Reduced depreciation costs by >15%, increasing efficiency and profitability
Worked closely with CFOs, engineering, and auditors to optimize processes

Mar 2021 - Mar 2023

2 years 1 month

Finance System & Process Implementation Manager Manufacturing

Opel/Stellantis

Implemented SAP S4 Hana in production plants in the UK, Germany, Austria, Spain, and Poland
Established a unified reporting structure and reduced IT maintenance costs

Aug 2018 - Feb 2021

2 years 7 months

Manager Finance, GPSC FP&A Material Performance

Opel/Stellantis

Harmonized purchasing controlling systems after the PSA/Opel merger
Introduced a unified performance calculation approach
Reduced administrative tasks and IT costs in purchasing controlling

Sep 2014 - Jul 2018

3 years 11 months

Manager Business Plan & SC Controlling for G&A (FP&A)

Opel/Stellantis

Nov 2010 - Aug 2014

3 years 10 months

Manager Capital Management (Investment Planning)

Opel/Stellantis

Nov 2008 - Oct 2010

2 years

Assistant of the Chairman of the Opel Supervisory Board

Opel/Stellantis

Sep 2005 - Oct 2008

3 years 2 months

Plant CFO Components Plant Kaiserslautern

Opel/Stellantis

Mar 2001 - Aug 2005

4 years 6 months

Commercial Manager (Motorsport activities)

Opel Performance Center GmbH

Oct 1998 - Feb 2001

2 years 5 months

Advisor Project Control Capital Management

Opel/Stellantis

Jun 1997 - Sep 1998

1 year 4 months

Internal Control Advisor Purchasing

Opel/Stellantis

Jan 1994 - May 1997

3 years 5 months

Germany

Senior Auditor / Corporate Audit

Hoechst AG

Jul 1993 - Dec 1993

6 months

Freelancer Public & Tax Accountant

Office Klaus Kahler

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 Automotive (28 years), Chemical (3.5 years), Pharmaceutical (3.5 years), and Professional Services (0.5 years).

Automotive

Chemical

Pharmaceutical

Professional Services

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 Finance (20 years), Accounting (6 years), Project Management (4.5 years), Marketing (4.5 years), Sales (4.5 years), and Audit (4.5 years).

Finance

Accounting

Project Management

Marketing

Sales

Audit

Summary

Experienced finance and controlling manager with over 25 years of expertise in the automotive industry. Specialized in optimizing financial processes, implementing digital systems (SAP S4 Hana), KPI-driven controlling, and cross-border/cross-functional team leadership. Strong communicator, analytical, with a pronounced hands-on mentality.

Skills

Budget Planning And Forecasting For 40 International Production Plants
Implemented Sap S4 Hana (Controlling, Invest To Divest) In Five European Countries To Harmonize Financial Processes
Developed An Asset Recovery Database For Fixed Cost Reduction (>15% Savings)
Established A Europe-wide Inventory Policy With 80% Less Effort
Harmonized Purchasing Controlling Systems After The Psa/opel Merger
Led And Coordinated International Project Teams (Finance, Engineering, It)
Sap S4 Hana
Ms 365 (Excel, Powerpoint, Teams)
Erp Systems
Reporting Tools
Communication Skills
Analytical Thinking
Hands-on Mentality
Team Leadership
Process Expertise
Conflict Management

Languages

German

Native

English

Advanced

French

Elementary

Education

Oct 1988 - Sep 1993

JGU Mainz

Diploma in Economics · Mainz, Germany

Profile

Created

November 2025

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Frequently asked questions

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

Where is Swen based?

Swen is based in Wiesbaden, Germany.

What languages does Swen speak?

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

How many years of experience does Swen have?

Swen has at least 33 years of experience. During this time, Swen has worked in at least 13 different roles and for 4 different companies. The average length of individual experience is 3 years and 6 months. Note that Swen may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.

What roles would Swen be best suited for?

Based on recent experience, Swen would be well-suited for roles such as: Career break for reorientation, Fixed Asset Control Manager Manufacturing, Finance System & Process Implementation Manager Manufacturing.

What is Swen's latest experience?

Swen's most recent position is Career break for reorientation.

What companies has Swen worked for in recent years?

In recent years, Swen has worked for Opel/Stellantis.

Which industries is Swen most experienced in?

Swen is most experienced in industries like Automotive, Chemical, and Pharmaceutical. Swen also has some experience in Professional Services.

Which business areas is Swen most experienced in?

Swen is most experienced in business areas like Finance, Accounting, and Audit. Swen also has some experience in Marketing, Sales, and Project Management.

Which industries has Swen worked in recently?

Swen has recently worked in industries like Automotive.

Which business areas has Swen worked in recently?

Swen has recently worked in business areas like Finance, Procurement and Purchasing, and Accounting.

What is Swen's education?

Swen holds a Master from JGU Mainz.

What is the availability of Swen?

Swen is immediately available for suitable projects.

What is the rate of Swen?

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