A traditional, medium-sized branded goods company in northern Germany is looking for a freelance consultant and FM expert for 6 to 9 months to reorganize business activities in Corporate Real Estate Management (CREM) and Facility Management (FM).
Typical tasks in this role:**
Analyze existing FM and CREM structures, processes, and service provider contracts as part of the corporate reorganization.
Develop a future-oriented strategy for Corporate Real Estate and Facility Management to support new business goals.
Optimize space management (space efficiency, workplace concepts, repurposing) in line with "Future of Work" strategies.
Realign operational facility management: ensure availability of equipment and buildings, manage maintenance measures.
Consolidate and tender FM services; negotiate and manage Service Level Agreements (SLAs).
Lead the internal FM team and coordinate external service providers.
Plan and control budgets and report to senior management.
Relevant technologies, tools or methods:**
CAFM / IWMS: Planon, ARCHIBUS, Spacewell, SAP RE-FX, PMWeb.
ERP systems: SAP S/4HANA, Oracle.
Project management: MS Project, Asana.
Office suite: MS Office / Google Workspace.
Methods: benchmarking, SLA management, life cycle cost analysis (LCC).
Typical KPIs or success metrics:**
Reduce operational FM costs per m² by >10% through process optimization and consolidation.
Increase Planned Maintenance Percentage (PMP) to >80% to reduce reactive incidents.
Improve SLA compliance of external providers to >95%.
Decrease asset downtime for critical infrastructure by >20%.
Successfully achieve defined reorganization milestones on time and budget.
Key challenges, risks or specifics:**
High resistance to change within the existing organization (change management).
Lack of transparency due to fragmented data and missing digital processes.
Complexity of renegotiating or terminating long-standing service contracts.
Ensuring business continuity during restructuring.
Balancing cost pressure with maintaining service quality and employee satisfaction.
Concrete deliverables:**
Milestone 1: Completion of the as-is analysis and presentation of results.
Deliverable 1: Detailed assessment report with SWOT analysis and benchmarking.
Milestone 2: Approval of the new FM/CREM strategy and target operating model.
Deliverable 2: Strategy paper, process map and implementation roadmap.
Milestone 3: Successful completion of service provider tender(s).
Deliverable 3: Signed new service contracts and handover plan.
Final deliverable: Handover documentation to the following line management.
Must-Haves:**
Degree in Industrial Engineering, Facility Management, Real Estate Management or equivalent qualification.
At least 10 years of professional and leadership experience in corporate real estate and/or facility management at corporate level or in an upper mid-size company.
Proven track record in restructuring FM/CREM organizations and in change management.
Deep expertise in tendering and managing complex FM services.
Nice-to-Haves:**
Facility management certification (e.g., CFM, GEFMA Facility Management Specialist).
Experience as an interim manager.
Experience in the manufacturing industry.
Personal qualities and mindset:**
Strong leadership and motivational skills to guide teams through change phases.
Strategic and entrepreneurial thinking paired with operational implementation strength.
High empathy and social skills when dealing with internal staff and external partners.
Confident presence, resilience and the ability to navigate politically complex situations.