Thomas Arends - Interim Assignment

Recommended expert

Wernau (Neckar), Germany

Experience

Sep 2024 - Present

1 year 5 months

Interim Management

Vincorion Power Systems GmbH

Process and project management to optimize products and development processes for energy systems
Technical risk management
Requirements engineering and system architecture
System FMEA of power generator units and energy storage modules aiming for generic structures
Claims management according to Section 313 of the German Civil Code
Regulatory environment: military and NATO standards, AQAP, VG norms

Aug 2023 - May 2024

10 months

Interim Management

hailo Digital Hub

Consulting on certification of a waste management solution according to ESG
Lifecycle management, quality management, and compliance
Regulatory environment: ESG

Sep 2022 - Present

3 years 5 months

Owner & Managing Director

SEQ.IST UG

Developed the SEQ.IST method for cost, time, and resource estimation as well as quality management
Simplified BPMN into a fully eEPK-driven system
Implemented the method into a SaaS solution

Jul 2022 - Aug 2024

2 years 2 months

Interim Management

Varta Microbattery

Developed product, process, quality, and project development processes (including the proprietary SEQ.IST method)
Managed task forces during series production ramp-up
Established and refined processes, methodical implementation of the development process (design and process)
Provided support, coaching, and training across the entire development and product lifecycle
Set up, structured, and conducted design and process FMEA for V4 Drive Automotive cell 21700 UHP, 18650 HP, and CoinPower
Prepared various customer reports
Requirements engineering, lifecycle management, quality management, risk management, shopfloor management, BPMN
Regulatory environment: VDA 6.3, TISAX, IATF 16949, ISO 9001

Apr 2021 - Jul 2022

1 year 4 months

Interim Management

Bundesdruckerei

Quality management in the PREVIEW and PLAIN projects for the Federal Foreign Office in a VS-NfD environment
Established and refined processes, methodical implementation of specifications
Provided support, coaching, and training across the entire development and product lifecycle
Developed and structured reporting
Optimized and automated workflows
Big Data, multi-tenant capability, BPMN, methods, tools
Regulatory environment: GDPR, ISO 27001, ISO 20000 (ITIL)

Oct 2020 - Mar 2022

1 year 6 months

Lecturer

Mannheim University of Applied Sciences

Advanced IT project management (SSP – Software and system project management in practice)

Aug 2020 - Jan 2021

6 months

Interim Management

Roche

Process design for project, quality, test, risk, and development processes for control units
Requirements engineering, MBSE, system architecture, and implementation
Training in an ALM tool
Regulatory environment: medical devices, ISO 13485, ISO 14971, IEC 60601, IEC 62304, MDR

May 2020 - Sep 2022

2 years 5 months

Trainer

GRC & Tisax

Planning and implementation of ISO 27001 and TISAX
Support for various clients

May 2019 - Dec 2020

1 year 8 months

Interim Management

Marc Cain GmbH

Business analysis, compliance, development management, product owner, and overall project management for a retail POS including omnichannel
Process development and training in ASPICE® and ITIL V4
Business analysis according to GoBD, GDPR, antitrust law, AO (Fiscal Code), HGB (Commercial Code), KassenSichV (Cash Register Security Ordinance), and foreign legal requirements
Process documentation including ICS, development and risk processes
Cut-over management with bidirectional runtime synchronization (Kovair, Jira, Azure DevOps)
Introduction and training of ITSM (ITIL V4) / ISO 20000, BPMN, ASPICE®
Tools: Jira, Confluence, Azure DevOps, Kovair, USU Valuemation, ServiceNow, Bizagi

Mar 2019 - Apr 2021

2 years 2 months

Owner

Kovair Representative in Germany

Building sales and implementing regulatory requirements in Kovair
Lifecycle management for ALM & PLM
Data transformations between tools

Nov 2018 - May 2019

7 months

Interim Management

Robert Bosch GmbH

Implementation of configuration management in an ASIL B project with a view to ASIL D for VMPS (Vehicle Motion and Position Sensor)
Review and adjustment of processes, mapping normative artifacts to Bosch-specific wordings
Process modeling (BPMN) and implementation into the project

Jul 2018 - Oct 2022

4 years 4 months

Method development and technical architecture

Process and Project, In-House Development (PRTCE) SEQ.IST

Development of the PRTCE as an eEPK for process, cost, time, and resource estimation and management
Pilot customer feedback: "The only logical method", "You have to come up with the simplicity first", high accuracy and speed

Jun 2018 - Dec 2020

2 years 7 months

Quality Management Consultant

Thericon

Quality management consulting

Jan 2018 - Apr 2019

1 year 4 months

Interim Management

SMR-Automotive

Development and series project manager for software and hardware of a mirror replacement system
ASPICE® and ISO 26262 project management for camera calibration, blockage detection, and generic camera for ASIL B/D
Requirements engineering for the mentioned products
Delivery of tested and approved software for intrinsic, extrinsic, Cam2Cam, and dynamic calibration software
Fully developed and released camera

Dec 2017 - Dec 2018

1 year 1 month

Management Consultant

Viettel

Consulting on implementation of ISO 9001/9004/9100/33071 in the context of DO-178C and DO-254
Planning and implementation of mobile communication technologies, rollout documentation

Oct 2017 - Dec 2017

3 months

Interim Trainer

Viettel

Basic Logical Scaled Business® training
Training and implementation of DO-178C and DO-254 in the tool codeBeamer

Apr 2017 - Sep 2022

5 years 6 months

Interim Management (COO)

SIO GmbH Automotive

Mapping and implementation of ASPICE and ISO 26262 in TFS/Azure
Process modeling (BPMN, Bizagi) and test execution
Products: Flash bootloader for steering and battery control unit as an Autosar replacement
Achievements: ASPICE Capability Level 1 in 8 weeks, reached Capability Level 2
In-house development of an assessment tool in Kovair

Sep 2016 - Apr 2019

2 years 8 months

Interim Management (Chief Process Officer)

Intland GmbH

Implementing regulatory requirements in codeBeamer, considering various development methods
Rollout, training (Agile, SAFe®, Scrum, V-Model, Waterfall) and implementation at clients (automotive, banking, medical & pharma, industrial & avionics, insurance, rail)
Process modeling (BPMN) and creating templates for ASPICE®, ISO 26262, ISO 15288, ISO 10007, DO-178C, SAFe®

Jun 2016 - Sep 2016

4 months

Task Force Management

Northrop Grumman Litef

Task force management for DO-178C/DO-254 in the context of embedded software type certification
Introduction of ALM tools, process design and implementation

Jul 2015 - May 2016

11 months

Interim Management

Deutsche ACCUMOTIVE

Introduction of ASPICE® for battery management systems (embedded software)
ALM tool implementation and process modeling in Bizagi

Nov 2014 - Jul 2015

9 months

Interim Management (Project Coordinator China)

Eissmann Group Automotive

Supplying vehicle components and ensuring integration between materials management, engineering and quality assurance
Shopfloor management, purchasing, quality and production issues in the China joint venture
Business process management between Germany & China, optimizing interfaces
Optimizing material flow and reporting to the steering committee

Jun 2014 - Oct 2014

5 months

Interim Management (ADAS Fault Analysis Team Leader)

Continental AG (ADAS)

Setting up and leading a team for stereo camera system fault analysis
Structuring faults by modules, sub-modules and functions
Expanding and establishing S-FMEA, reviewing requirements, training employees

May 2014 - Sep 2016

2 years 5 months

ASPICE Process Framework

In-house Development

Completing a generic process framework for ASPICE® and implementing it in a ReqIF-capable ALM tool

Aug 2013 - Jun 2014

11 months

Interim / Technical Project Manager

ebmpapst

Project management and system responsibility for an orbital pump for pumping AdBlue®
Test manager and design lead for prototype construction, scheduling and testing

Jun 2013 - Jun 2016

3 years 1 month

ASPICE and ISO 26262

In-house Development

Developing a generic process framework in Bizagi (BPMN) for ASPICE®, ISO 15504, ISO 26262, IEC 61508 including automation
SPICE auditor: 1:1 implementation of the standard into the tool

Oct 2012 - Apr 2023

10 years 7 months

Shanghai, China

Chief Advisory Board Project Management & Training

DAKS

Project management for biological waste recycling in Shanghai (20 tons of organic waste per day)
Technical sales of non-contact ultrasonic measurement methods to steel companies and Chinese OEMs
Translation of German technology for Chinese engineers
Training of engineers, implementation of development processes, and supplier qualification

May 2011 - Jan 2013

1 year 9 months

Bad Homburg, Germany

Director, Customer & Central Project Management

ixetic GmbH

Industrialization and coordination of the technical development of mechanical and electrical vacuum and oil pumps
Customer consulting, coordination of German and Chinese teams, supplier management
Setting up local production chain, assembly and test field, launch management for VW and Ford
Revenue increase > 200%, start of series production

Apr 2006 - Apr 2011

5 years 1 month

Frankfurt, Germany

Deputy Project Manager (Interim)

Continental

Project management of electric vacuum pump EVP5 in the area of hydraulic brake systems
Series production, design, tests, industrial engineering, requirements management, FMEA, customer and supplier coordination
Introduction of a requirements management tool, shortening of development time

Jan 2004 - Dec 2008

5 years

Project Manager & Consultant

Self-employed

Planning and development of a dynamic balancing system for rotating shafts in cooperation with the University of Cottbus
Prototype development and testing
Development of an impulse magnet system (E-motor) for Rupprecht & Partner GbR, Glashütten

Jan 2002 - Dec 2006

5 years

Friedberg, Germany

Project Manager

R. Schneid GbR

Leading an external development team for ERP, CMS and e-commerce systems
Implementation of several websites and shops with ERP integration

Jan 1993 - Dec 2011

19 years

Owner

DV Profis GmbH

Strategic consulting and IT services for banks, insurance companies, IT & telecommunications
Human resource consulting, call center & service automation (IVR, TTS, STT)

Jan 1987 - Dec 1993

7 years

Hamburg, Germany

Technical Director

Executive Software Deutschland GmbH

Development and sales of performance software for VMS operating systems
Technical management and implementation of software changes, revenue increase > 200%

Jan 1985 - Dec 1987

3 years

Neuwied, Germany

Head of Technical Documentation (Software)

Paul Lippke GmbH & Co. KG

Creating documentation for the core system and database-driven manuals
Preparing user manuals, training (PDP-11), assembly programming, Macintosh

Summary

I am a passionate leader, interim manager, quality and project director with a unique blend of theoretical, practical, technical, and business expertise. With over 35 years of experience in the automotive, banking, defense, services, IT, engineering, and medical sectors, I bring not only automation, digitalization, and IT know-how, but also cross-domain understanding, the ability to inspire teams, and to drive sustainable change by leading by example.

As an interim manager, I act not just as a problem solver, but as someone who brings energy to a team, creates structures, and makes sure every member can reach their full potential. I am not afraid to "get my hands dirty" myself and work with various tools as needed. My expertise ranges from project management and process management (ALM & PLM) to quality management and the introduction of requirements management tools and MBSE (Model Based Systems Engineering).

With my broad experience and deep knowledge in quality and project management, I help companies not only meet their goals but also lead their teams to success with enthusiasm and commitment.

Skills

Excellent Expertise In Process And Quality Management: Developed The Otsm Framework, A Comprehensive Management Framework That Integrates Global Standards Such As Iso 9001, Itil, Cobit, Cmmi, Aspice, And More.
Successfully Implemented Process Optimizations In Highly Regulated Industries Such As Automotive, Defense, Medical Technology, And Aviation (Aspice®, Vda 6.3, Iatf 16949, Iso 26262, Do-178c, Iso 13485, Aqap, Stanag, Mil-std).
Technology And Method Integration: In-house Developments Such As The Seq.ist Framework For Precise (Accuracy Up To Factor 1.2) Resource, Time, And Cost Estimation In Projects, Proven To Be Groundbreaking Across Various Industries.
Leadership In International Large-scale Projects: Managed And Optimized Complex Development And Production Processes For Renowned Companies Such As Varta Microbattery, Marccain, (Ixetic) Magna Powertrain, And Vincorion.
Extensive Task Force Experience To Resolve Critical Production And Quality Issues In Global Projects.
Interim Management And Consulting Expertise: Interim Manager For International Market Leaders (E.g., Bosch, Varta, Smr-automotive) With Measurable Successes In Project And Quality Control As Well As Compliance.
Consulting On Esg-compliant Certification Projects And Implementation Of Modern Compliance Frameworks (Iso 27001, Tisax, Gdpr).
Regulatory Know-how And Certifications: Deep Understanding And Implementation Of Regulatory Requirements Across Various Industries.
Big Data And Alm Expertise: Implementation Of Alm Tools (Jira, Kovair, Azure Devops, Codebeamer, Dng (Doors Next Generation)) And Multi-tenant Big Data Systems In Large Projects.
Proven Successes In Automating And Optimizing Big Data Processes And Complex Software Development Projects.
High-level Training And Coaching: Many Years Of Experience As A Lecturer In Practical It Project Management.
Successful Coaching Of Teams And Leaders In Dealing With Highly Complex Technical And Regulatory Requirements.
Cross-industry Expertise: Successful Application Of Methods In Various Sectors, Including Automotive, Medical Technology, Telecommunications, Aviation, And Manufacturing.
Broad Regulatory Knowledge Spanning The Automotive Industry (Aspice, Iso 26262), Retail (Gdpr, Kassensichv), And Medical Technology.
Process Optimization: Streamlined Development And Production Processes Using Modern Technologies And Tools, Resulting In Significant Cost Savings And Productivity Increases.
Tool Integration Of Aspice® And Iso 26262 (As Well As Do-178c [Aviation], Iso 13485, 14971, 62304, Vdi 5702 [Medical]) Implemented In Kovair And Codebeamer.
In-house Development Seq.ist: Method Introduction And Demonstrator (Fully Self-developed Using React, Reactflow, Mongo).
Otsm Organizational, Technology, And Service Management Framework [Single Integrated Operations Framework]: A Consistent Generic Structure And Process Organization That Includes Standards Such As Iso 9001, Iso 15288 For Systems And Software Engineering, Itil, Iso/iec 20000 For It Service Management, Cobit, P-cmm 2009, Iso/iec 12207 2008, Iso/iec 15504-5, Iso 14001, Cmmi-svc, Escm-cl, And Escm-sp.
Seq.ist Project And Process: Cost, Resource, Risk, And Time Estimation And Management; Method Development For Resource, Time, And Cost Estimation In System Development, Including Proof Of Concept Implementation In Excel And Frontend Architecture With React.js, Figma, And Reactflow.
Aspice® Assessment Tool In Codebeamer.
Standards And Models (General): Iso 15504 (Spice), Iso 3300x, Iso 61508, Iso 9001, Iso 9004, Iso 20000 Itsm, Iso 33020 (Cmmi), Iso 31000 For Risk Management, Iec 60812 (Fmea) (D-fmea / P-fmea / Fta), Iso 16326 For Project Management, Iso 33071 Enterprise Spice®, Itil V4, Bpmn.
Standards And Models (Automotive): Aspice®, Iso 26262®, Iatf 16949, Vda 6.3, Vda 19.1, Vda 19.2.
Standards And Models (Finance): Spice®, Cobit, Gobd, Ao, Hgb, Vvg.
Standards And Models (Industry): Iso 15288, Iso 61508, Iso 10007 For Configuration Management.
Standards And Models (Aviation): Do-178c, Do-254, Do-278, Do-330, Do-160.
Standards And Models (Medical & Pharma): Iec 62304, Gamp, Iso 14971 For Risk Management, Vda 5702 Medical Spice®, Iso 13485, Iso 60601-1, 21 Cfr 820.
Standards And Models (Military): Mil-std, Aectp, Aqap, Stanag, Vg.
Methods: Agile, Safe®, Less, Scrum, Kanban, Classic, V-model, Waterfall, Rup, Bpmn, Hybrid Development.
Operating Systems: Ms-dos, Cp/m, Windows 3.11, 95, 98, Nt/nt Server/2000/xp/vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10, Windows 11, Novell, Macos.
Office Software: Word, Excel, Outlook, Powerpoint, Ms Project, Visio, Openoffice, Lotus Notes, Sharepoint, Instep, Redmine, Jira, Confluence.
Web Development: Adobe Illustrator, Html, Css, Photoshop, Php, Typo3, Wordpress, Mysql, Balsamiq Wireframes, Figma.
Testing: Sio Testing, Vector Toolchain.
Erp Systems: Sap, Lexware, W71, Jtl-wawi.
Requirements Management / Alm, Ticketing And Documentation: Kovair, Codebeamer, Retina, Tuleap, Jama, Ptc Integrity, Ims, Tfs, Doors, Polarion, Dng (Doors Next Generation), Rtc (Rational Team Concert), Rqm (Rational Quality Manager), Jira, Azure Devops, Confluence, Teamcenter.
Fmea Software: Apis Iq-fmea, Scio Fmea.
Ivr Systems: Robot5 (Ivr).
Business Process Modeling: Bizagi Modeler, Bonita, Innovator, Enterprise Architect, Seq.ist, Adonis, Signavio.
Methods: Apqp, Ppap, Fmea, 8d, 5d, Six Sigma, Vda 6.3/6.5.0, Rdb, Bpm, V-model, Waterfall Model, Agile, Scrum, Safe®, Less, Hybrid, Rup.
Driver's License: Class 3 & 1.