Thorsten Kies - Founder and Managing Partner

Recommended expert

Berlin, Germany

Experience

Jan 2024 - Present

2 years 1 month

Berlin, Germany

Founder and Managing Partner

Rethinking Transformation

Consulting firm providing interim managers for ERP transformations in mid-sized companies.
Transformation in mid-sized companies (implementation, harmonization, governance).
Focus: ERP implementation and migration, financial processes, reporting, execution control, digitalization, business processes, AI interface between executive management, finance, and IT.

Jan 2011 - Dec 2023

13 years

Berlin, Germany

CEO and managing director, and board member of international subsidiaries

DILAX Intelcom GmbH

Transformed the corporate group from a sensor manufacturer to an innovative, high-growth solutions provider for mobility and smart city markets (2018–2023).
Established and scaled a new business unit from €0.2M to €5M in revenue through disruptive product innovations and SaaS business models (2011–2018).
Responsibility for international subsidiaries in France, the UK, Canada, Switzerland, Spain, and the USA.
Private equity ownership since 2015, part of an international mobility group since 2024.

Jan 2002 - Dec 2011

10 years

Munich, Germany

Interim Head Sales North, Head of Business Unit Region East and Head of Customer Projects

Comarch Software AG

Restructured and implemented a sales management system, and expanded ERP and software solutions for mid-sized companies with a team of 12 sales managers (2009–2011).
Expanded the mid-market ERP segment, acquired new customers, held P&L responsibility, and successfully positioned Comarch ERP in over 40 countries.
Portfolio: ERP, CRM, BI, Cloud/IT, Telecom, Banking, IoT, E-Health.
Conducted ERP transformations and migrations (fit-gap, processes, go-live), financial processes, project accounting, reporting, team leadership (up to 30 employees), and finance/IT interface.

Jan 1999 - Dec 2002

4 years

Karlsruhe, Germany

Senior Manager, Customer Network Implementation and Head of the Virtual Private Networks Competence Center

KPNQwest Germany GmbH

Responsible for project-based billing and order processing, and standardizing processes in project and service operations (2000–2002).
Established transparent control and reporting structures, leading up to 45 employees in project and implementation teams.
Developed a VPN sales competence center: implemented and operated IP networks, carrier management, and provisioning for international insurance and tourism clients (1999–2000).
Focus: data communications, internet access, IP and VPNs, hosting; clients: STRATO, international carriers.

Jan 1996 - Dec 1999

4 years

Osnabrück, Germany

Head of the Software and Consulting Profit Center and Assistant to Executive Management

BOG Informationstechnologie & Services GmbH

Reorganized financial and operational processes, introduced integrated software solutions to improve efficiency, performance and cost control, and reporting (1997–1999).
Provided IT consulting, software development, and IT services for mid-sized companies.
Investors: GE Equity Capital, 3i (1999).
Reorganized customer service and introduced integrated software solutions for efficiency and process optimization (1996–1997).

Jan 1993 - Dec 1996

4 years

Hamburg, Germany

Management Consultant

GfP Project Management Company Ltd.

Conducted consulting projects in software development, logistics, and business process optimization

Summary

Diploma in Industrial Engineering, married, 2 (almost) adult children

Longtime ERP and transformation manager with full responsibility for complex ERP programs.
Specialized in financial core processes for project-based business.

Skills

Leadership Responsibilities And Reporting Lines:

Leading Technology Companies With Up To 120 Employees Across 3 Hierarchy Levels.
Leading International Managing Directors In A Matrix Organization Covering Sales, Marketing, Project Business, And Service.
Reporting Directly To The Board, Executive Management, Shareholders, Or Owners.

International Experience And Cultural Exposure:

Managing International Subsidiaries (France, Uk, Canada, Switzerland, Spain, Usa) Responsible For Market Entry, Roll-outs, And Customer Projects.
Establishing International Service Partnerships (Incl. Russia, Norway, Spain, France) To Ensure Implementation, Service Quality, And Customer Satisfaction.
Direct Collaboration With Customers And Partners At An International Level, Including Rfps, Contract Negotiations, And Implementations In Markets Such As The Uk, Spain, Portugal, Eastern Europe, And Scandinavia.

Experience Matrix:

Experienced Ownership Structures: Private Equity, Owner-managed Mid-sized Companies, Corporate Subsidiaries.
Participated In Company Phases: Setup, Development, And Market Leadership In Specific Business Areas; Post-merger Integration After Acquisitions; Exit Preparation; International Expansion; Consolidation; Transformation; And Restructuring.
Acquired Industry Know-how In It, Software, Electronics, Internet And Telecommunications, Management Consulting, Transportation Companies, Manufacturing, Vehicle Producers, And Railway Track Construction.

Weighted Functional Scope:

General Management