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Wolfgang Farkas

Interim CEO

Wolfgang Farkas
Munich, Germany

Experience

Mar 2023 - Mar 2025
2 years 1 month

Interim CEO France & EVP Operations Germany

Kelvion

  • Developed plan for German factories, introduced standard work and process optimization

  • Improved on-time in-full (OTIF) performance from 60% to 98%

  • Increased EBIT by 4%

  • Analyzed status quo and developed future strategy with group management and PE investor

  • Prepared French social plan, budget and timing

  • Negotiated with unions and managed local & national politicians to obtain plan approval three months after announcement

  • Ensured no strike actions and executed priority customer production orders during shutdown in record time with perfect quality

  • Communicated successfully with customers, suppliers, stakeholders and government officials

  • Executed production transfers to other sites and/or profitable sale to third parties

  • Established new sales & service organization in France

  • Sold existing French site within three months at 20% above market price and moved remaining business to a new location

Apr 2020 - Sep 2022
2 years 6 months
France

Interim CEO, TAM-Groupe

DYWIDAG Systems International (DSI)

  • Merged four companies, closed and transferred part of production abroad and aligned ERP within six months
  • Created and implemented a culture driven by objectives and accountability
  • Reduced headcount by 20%, improved treasury by 30% and reduced inventory by 25%
  • Constructed a growth strategy including a key investment in additional production with 60% public funding
  • Developed export market in French-speaking Africa, resulting in strategic partnerships and doubled sales
  • Rightsized product offering from over 8,000 to 6,000 SKUs and implemented a WMS-managed central warehouse
  • Coached the leadership team including changing three out of five management team members
Apr 2019 - Mar 2020
1 year
Switzerland

Interim CEO, JELD-WEN Switzerland AG

JELD-WEN, Inc.

  • Led business review to identify compliance issues and executed a €6 m restructuring project
  • Developed business strategy for Central Europe and launched a new product line, increasing sales by 18%
  • Decreased inventory by 20% and renegotiated favourable supplier terms
  • Reduced costs by implementing stringent controls, generating an additional €1.5 m EBIT
Oct 2014 - Dec 2018
4 years 3 months

General Manager BU & Market Head, South West Europe & Africa; Director M&A EMEA; Member of Board of Directors, Smiths Detection

Smiths Detection

  • Led due diligence and integration of the €710 m Morpho Detection acquisition (sites worldwide, €320 m sales, 950 employees), achieving a 25% headcount reduction and site closures in France, Italy & Germany
  • Established lean processes and project management using a ‘war room’ approach, reducing project execution time by 47% and inventory by 55% while increasing OTIF from 45% to 94%
  • Developed additional sales with UN, NATO and EU, leading to a 30% year-on-year revenue increase
  • Defined future strategy for new products, low-cost offerings and aftermarket, achieving a 33% cost reduction
  • Targeted total quality across the business to reduce cost of poor quality by 50%
Apr 2006 - Sep 2014
8 years 6 months

Division Director Global Operations Strategy & Program Director; Chief M&A Leader; Business Unit Finance Director; Member of

Collins Aerospace

  • Increased profitability through cost-down and productivity improvement initiatives, realizing €36 m annual savings

  • Established standard work for new program introduction, improving customer response times by 40% and reducing costs by €16 m

  • Increased savings for non-product purchases by 30% through new policies

  • Secured €26 m funding from EU governments and commission for long-term investments

  • Drove due diligence and global integration of the €500 m Microtecnica acquisition (three Italy sites & one UK, €250 m sales, 700 employees), finalizing due diligence in 30 days and exceeding budgeted annual EBIT targets by over 30% within seven months

  • Increased customer satisfaction and OTIF from 63% to 96%

  • Reduced overheads by 3% through divisional organization streamlining

  • Improved operating income within four years from a €54 m loss (on €350 m sales) to a 6% profit

  • Reduced receivables overdue by over 30% while business grew 10% year-on-year

  • Eliminated audit findings from 17 to 0

  • Reduced finance headcount by 35% while improving on-time delivery from 26% to 96%

Jan 2005 - Mar 2006
1 year 3 months
Stockport, United Kingdom

International Finance Director

Honeywell CTG

  • Analyzed, created and implemented a business strategy to achieve 15% growth and 8% EBIT (from 0%)
  • Merged business unit with another division and closed a French factory within budget and ahead of schedule
Jul 2001 - Dec 2003
2 years 6 months

Group CEO & CFO, President US operations; Group CFO

DaTARIUS Technologies GmbH

  • Generated and executed a restructuring plan, achieving 10% EBIT in the second year
  • Established strategic product development and go-to-market strategy
  • Built a greenfield sales and aftermarket organization in the USA within six months
  • Led due diligence, acquisition negotiations and integration of two main US competitors in a €20 m deal
Apr 2000 - Nov 2000
8 months
Ebensee, Austria

CFO and Liquidator

STEINER INDUSTRIES AG

  • Identified misleading auditor reports and corporate fraud
  • Acted as point of contact for criminal investigators and executed business liquidation
Nov 1991 - Dec 1999
8 years 2 months

VP / Finance Director CIS; Financial Controller Eastern Europe; Assistant Business Unit Finance Director

Schneider Electric SA

  • Served as VP / Finance Director CIS in Moscow, Russia, from 1996 to 1999
  • Served as Financial Controller Eastern Europe in Grenoble, France, from 1993 to 1996
  • Served as Assistant Business Unit Finance Director in Vienna, Austria, from 1991 to 1992

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 Aerospace and Defense (12.5 years), Manufacturing (9.5 years), Energy (8 years), Construction (3.5 years), and Information Technology (2.5 years).

Aerospace and Defense
Manufacturing
Energy
Construction
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 Finance (23 years), Strategy (22 years), Operations (14.5 years), Project Management (13.5 years), Accounting (8 years), and Supply Chain Management (3.5 years).

Finance
Strategy
Operations
Project Management
Accounting
Supply Chain Management

Summary

EXECUTIVE PROFILE Chief Executive Officer with 30 years of experience across industrial and services sectors, with strong expertise in financial leadership, strategy, business development, restructuring, and M&A integration in private equity–backed and public company environments. Proven leader of complex enterprise-wide transformation programs, including production site transfers, and industrial footprint rationalization. Track record of leading SMEs and listed groups through turnarounds and performance improvement programs. Recognized for driving sustainable growth, operational excellence, and long-term shareholder value in demanding situations. ________________________________________

CORE EXPERTISE

  • Strategic Program & Portfolio Management
  • Business Transformation & Restructuring
  • M&A Due Diligence and Post-Merger Integration
  • Site Closures, Footprint Optimization & Production Transfers
  • Cross-Functional Leadership (R&D, Operations, Sales, Finance)
  • Stakeholder, Change & Industrial Relations Management
  • Operational Excellence (Lean, TPS, TQM)
  • Financial Performance Improvement (EBIT, Cash, Inventory)

Languages

German
Native
English
Native
French
Advanced
Italian
Elementary

Education

Sep 2001 - May 2004

California State University, East Bay

Executive MBA · Hayward, United States

May 2001 - Nov 2004

IMADEC

European MBA, Law · Vienna, Austria

Sep 1996 - Jun 1999

University for Finance and Economy – Moscow

B.A. · Management · Moscow, Russian Federation

Profile

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Frequently asked questions

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

Where is Wolfgang based?

Wolfgang is based in Munich, Germany.

What languages does Wolfgang speak?

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

How many years of experience does Wolfgang have?

Wolfgang has at least 30 years of experience. During this time, Wolfgang has worked in at least 9 different roles and for 9 different companies. The average length of individual experience is 3 years and 5 months. Note that Wolfgang may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.

What roles would Wolfgang be best suited for?

Based on recent experience, Wolfgang would be well-suited for roles such as: Interim CEO France & EVP Operations Germany, Interim CEO, TAM-Groupe, Interim CEO, JELD-WEN Switzerland AG.

What is Wolfgang's latest experience?

Wolfgang's most recent position is Interim CEO France & EVP Operations Germany at Kelvion.

What companies has Wolfgang worked for in recent years?

In recent years, Wolfgang has worked for Kelvion and DYWIDAG Systems International (DSI).

Which industries is Wolfgang most experienced in?

Wolfgang is most experienced in industries like Aerospace and Defense, Manufacturing, and Energy. Wolfgang also has some experience in Construction and Information Technology (IT).

Which business areas is Wolfgang most experienced in?

Wolfgang is most experienced in business areas like Finance, Strategy and Planning, and Operations. Wolfgang also has some experience in Project Management, Accounting, and Supply Chain Management.

Which industries has Wolfgang worked in recently?

Wolfgang has recently worked in industries like Manufacturing and Construction.

Which business areas has Wolfgang worked in recently?

Wolfgang has recently worked in business areas like Strategy and Planning, Finance, and Supply Chain Management.

What is Wolfgang's education?

Wolfgang holds a Master from California State University, East Bay, a Master from IMADEC and a Bachelor in Management from University for Finance and Economy – Moscow.

What is the availability of Wolfgang?

Wolfgang is immediately available full-time for suitable projects.

What is the rate of Wolfgang?

Wolfgang'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 Wolfgang?

To hire Wolfgang, 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
300
Market avg: 850-1010 €
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.