Thomas Blum - Senior Manager Project & Business Development (External Consultant)

Q: Where is Thomas based?

Thomas is based in Gaggenau, Germany and can operate in on-site , hybrid , and remote work models.

Q: What languages does Thomas speak?

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

Q: How many years of experience does Thomas have?

Thomas has at least 18 years of experience. During this time, Thomas has worked in at least 8 different roles and for 5 different companies . The average length of individual experience is 2 years and 3 months . Note that Thomas may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.

Q: What is Thomas's latest experience?

Thomas's most recent position is Senior Manager Project & Business Development (External Consultant) at Startup: industrial software solution in the field of efficiency and sustainability .

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

In recent years, Thomas has worked for Startup: industrial software solution in the field of efficiency and sustainability and Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbH .

Q: Which industries is Thomas most experienced in?

Thomas is most experienced in industries like Automotive , Manufacturing , and Information Technology (IT) .

Q: Which business areas is Thomas most experienced in?

Thomas is most experienced in business areas like Project Management , Strategy and Planning , and Sales . Thomas also has some experience in Product Development , Logistics , and Supply Chain Management .

Q: Which industries has Thomas worked in recently?

Thomas has recently worked in industries like Automotive and Information Technology (IT) .

Q: Which business areas has Thomas worked in recently?

Thomas has recently worked in business areas like Project Management , Strategy and Planning , and Sales .

Recommended expert

Gaggenau, Germany

Experience

May 2023 - Present

2 years 10 months

Germany

Senior Manager Project & Business Development (External Consultant)

Startup: industrial software solution in the field of efficiency and sustainability

Conducting business planning
Creating software specifications
Overseeing software development and supporting testing (Scrum methodology)
Searching for business partners and investors

Feb 2018 - Mar 2023

5 years 2 months

Karlsbad, Germany

Senior Manager Technical Sales (Infotainment)

Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbH

Commercial project lead for key Mercedes-Benz infotainment projects (>1 bn USD total business volume, >300 software engineers, >40 software domains)
Leading and executing RFQs/RFIs, change management, and all types of commercial negotiations
Managing international and cross-cultural teams (e.g., initiatives to improve EBIT)
Strategic sales planning and sales & operations planning
Representing the business unit internally and externally during the semiconductor crisis
Team lead (1 direct report with technical leadership, 2 team members)

Jan 2017 - Feb 2018

1 year 2 months

Karlsbad, Germany

Manager Programs (Car Audio Systems)

Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbH

Direct, on-site leadership of the local project management team (8 employees)
Overall program responsibility for key car audio accounts (Mercedes-Benz & VW)
Optimizing and rolling out program management processes
Leading global virtual project teams

Nov 2014 - Dec 2016

2 years 2 months

Karlsbad, Germany

Program Manager (Car Audio Systems)

Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbH

Overall responsibility for car audio system projects
Leading global project teams (China, Mexico, Hungary)
Managing RFQs and change management in close collaboration with sales
Building and providing technical leadership for the local project management team

Feb 2012 - Oct 2014

2 years 9 months

Niefern-Öschelbronn, Germany

Project Manager Automotive (Mechatronic Housings)

Pretema GmbH / Headquarter Possehl Electronics

Full project responsibility across the entire product lifecycle
Managing RFIs/RFQs in close collaboration with sales
Technical supervision of the core project team
Deputy team leader

Sep 2010 - Feb 2012

1 year 6 months

Niefern-Öschelbronn, Germany

Coordinator Customs and Export Control

Pretema GmbH / Headquarter Possehl Electronics

Built up and technical leadership (~50 employees) of the company-wide organization "customs, export control & cargo security"
Leading and maintaining subject related certifications
Training and consulting (staff and managers)

Jan 2010 - Jun 2010

6 months

Königsbach-Stein, Germany

Customer Service Operator

Härter Stanztechnik GmbH

Handling of all logistics tasks in terms of a key account transfer project (from Tyco Electronics to Härter)
Horizontal and vertical forecast planning, coordination with suppliers and initial manufacturers
Structural orientation of production control / customer service and material flow

Sep 2007 - Dec 2009

2 years 4 months

Niefern-Öschelbronn, Germany

MRP Controller / Assistant Head of Manager Supply Chain Management

Tyco Electronics Connectivity

Production control of key customer products
Supply chain management activities at EMEA level
Introduction and maintenance of sales and operation planning procedure
Optimization of logistics KPIs (Increase of delivery performance 2008/09: 89%→94%, reduction of inventories 2008/09: 20% → increase of turnover rate by 25%)
Acting head of departments production control & customer service (managing responsibility for 11 employees)

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 (11 years), Manufacturing (4 years), and Information Technology (3 years).

Automotive

Manufacturing

Information Technology

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 Project Management (14 years), Strategy (8 years), Sales (8 years), Product Development (5.5 years), Logistics (4 years), and Supply Chain Management (4 years).

Project Management

Strategy

Sales

Product Development

Logistics

Supply Chain Management

Summary

Result-oriented project and supply chain expert with broad knowledge across value-adding company divisions, acquired through more than 15 years of experience in the automotive industry. Open and reliable, with a driven and innovative approach to problem-solving and the ability to build strong relationships with stakeholders at all levels.

Skills

Building And Leading Large Professional Teams To Successfully Achieve Major Corporate Goals
Applying Financial Principles, Developing Budgets, Reviewing Forecasts, And Managing Resources
Strong Customer-centric Approach With The Ability To Understand Stakeholders’ Needs And Motivations At All Levels, Build Trust, And Continuously Improve Networks
Leading And Mentoring Cross-cultural Teams, Setting Goals, And Driving Results

Languages

German

Native

English

Advanced

Education

Oct 2004 - Apr 2007

Graduate School / University of Applied Sciences Pforzheim

Master of Science in Production, Supply Chain Management, and Technical Sales · Business Administration and Engineering · Pforzheim, Germany · 2.0

Oct 1998 - Jul 2003

University Of Applied Sciences Pforzheim

Diploma in Business Management, Procurement and Logistics · Business Management · Pforzheim, Germany · 1.7

Sep 1995 - Jul 1998

Fritz Erler-School Pforzheim

General Abitur · Pforzheim, Germany · 2.3

Profile

Created

September 2024

Last Update

September 2025

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Frequently asked questions

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

Where is Thomas based?

Thomas is based in Gaggenau, Germany and can operate in on-site, hybrid, and remote work models.

What languages does Thomas speak?

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

How many years of experience does Thomas have?

Thomas has at least 18 years of experience. During this time, Thomas has worked in at least 8 different roles and for 5 different companies. The average length of individual experience is 2 years and 3 months. Note that Thomas may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.

What roles would Thomas be best suited for?

Based on recent experience, Thomas would be well-suited for roles such as: Senior Manager Project & Business Development (External Consultant), Senior Manager Technical Sales (Infotainment), Manager Programs (Car Audio Systems).

What is Thomas's latest experience?

Thomas's most recent position is Senior Manager Project & Business Development (External Consultant) at Startup: industrial software solution in the field of efficiency and sustainability.

What companies has Thomas worked for in recent years?

In recent years, Thomas has worked for Startup: industrial software solution in the field of efficiency and sustainability and Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbH.

Which industries is Thomas most experienced in?

Thomas is most experienced in industries like Automotive, Manufacturing, and Information Technology (IT).

Which business areas is Thomas most experienced in?

Thomas is most experienced in business areas like Project Management, Strategy and Planning, and Sales. Thomas also has some experience in Product Development, Logistics, and Supply Chain Management.

Which industries has Thomas worked in recently?

Thomas has recently worked in industries like Automotive and Information Technology (IT).

Which business areas has Thomas worked in recently?

Thomas has recently worked in business areas like Project Management, Strategy and Planning, and Sales.

What is Thomas's education?

Thomas holds a Master in Business Administration and Engineering from Graduate School / University of Applied Sciences Pforzheim.

What is the availability of Thomas?

Thomas is immediately available full-time for suitable projects.

What is the rate of Thomas?

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