Interim CRO (m/f/d) Operational Restructuring | Procurement, Logistics and Cost Management

Project overview

Company and Initial Situation

For a medium-sized company in the waste management and secondary raw materials industry, majority-owned by a private equity firm, we are looking for an experienced Interim CRO with strong operational expertise, particularly in procurement, logistics, and supply chain management.

The focus of the mandate is not on classic financial restructuring, but on operational restructuring and sustainable improvement of profitability.

The company specializes in the procurement, processing, and marketing of industrial by-products, residues, and secondary raw materials, especially from the chemical and steel industries. The materials are used, among other things, as raw and auxiliary materials in the cement and fertilizer industries, as well as in water treatment.

Changed procurement and sales conditions, as well as increased logistical requirements, necessitate a comprehensive optimization of existing processes and cost structures.

Objectives of the Mandate

The goal is the operational stabilization and sustainable improvement of the existing business's profitability through the optimization of the entire value chain from supplier to customer.

A particular focus is on consistent cost control and the establishment or further development of a meaningful operational and economic monitoring system.

Key Tasks

Technical and Personal Requirements Profile

Framework Conditions

Target Profile Sought

We are looking for an experienced operational restructuring manager with relevant practical experience in the waste management industry who masters the entire value chain from supplier to customer.

He must systematically analyze and control all costs along this value chain, identify economic optimization potentials, and consistently implement concrete improvement measures on-site. At the same time, he should establish or further develop robust operational and economic monitoring.

Contact

If interested, please send us your current availability, current profile, your hourly or daily rate, and especially a project-related overview of your experience.

• Analysis and optimization of national and international procurement and supplier structures
• Improvement of transport and logistics processes, including bulk goods logistics and inland navigation
• Systematic analysis and control of all costs along the value chain
• Identification and consistent implementation of cost reduction and performance improvement measures
• Optimization of material flows, inventory levels, margins, and operational processes
• Establishment or further development of KPI-based monitoring for improved cost control and operational management
• Regular operational and economic reporting to the shareholder and close coordination with the responsible contact person
• Close collaboration with the existing CFO and the designated production manager
• Relevant practical experience in the waste management industry and a comprehensive understanding of the entire value chain from supplier to customer
• Many years of operational management responsibility in procurement, logistics, supply chain management, or operations
• Demonstrable success in the operational restructuring and economic optimization of medium-sized companies
• Experience in working with private equity firms and an understanding of their requirements for performance improvement, transparency, and reporting
• Strong expertise in international purchasing, logistics, and cost and margin management
• Experience in establishing and further developing KPI-based monitoring and reporting systems
• Knowledge of the industrial secondary raw materials industry, bulk goods logistics, and inland navigation is an advantage
• Down-to-earth, assertive leadership personality with a strong hands-on mentality, high implementation competence, and acceptance among local employees
• Location: Ruhr area, predominantly on-site
• Mandate start: As soon as possible
• Estimated duration: 6-9 months
• Organizational role: Not planned

Project details

• Start: ab sofort
• Duration: 6 Monate
• Remote: onsite
• Location: Ruhrgebiet, Deutschland, DE
• Languages: German