Transformation & Strategic Restructuring Lead with experience in the mechanical engineering industry - September 2026

onsite locations in Germany and Austria, onsite locations in Germany and Austria

For one of our clients in the Chemical/FMCG industry we are looking for a freelance Transformation and Strategic Restructuring lead with experience in the mechanical engineering industry

Overview:

The service is requested as part of the evaluation of future strategic options for the Equipment business of our client. The project has the purpose of creating a fact-based assessment of the current business status, available strategic alternatives and the implementation path for the option approved by the Steering Committee.
The project covers stabilization of the business during the assessment period, preparation of the strategic recommendation and execution of transition activities after decision approval. The strategic alternatives to be assessed are turnaround with investment, restructure and hold, divestment or asset sale, licensing or partnership model, and controlled wind-down.

Background:

An external specialist is necessary for a defined and time-limited assessment and transition mandate because the project requires dedicated capacity and independent assessment of operational, commercial and strategic options during a six-month period. The service differs from internal project activities through the independent preparation of diagnostic outputs, business cases, transition documentation and recommendation materials for Steering Committee decision-making.

Detailed description of services:
The services are provided within a six-month temporary mandate. The concrete activities required to implement the commissioned services are agreed iteratively in recurring review meetings and documented through agreed outputs. Preparation, execution and documentation of review meetings connected to the service outputs are part of the service scope.
A. Operational stabilization and business continuity

Preparation of coordination concepts for the Equipment business during the six-month mandate.
Preparation of management routines for short-term performance review, issue tracking and decision preparation.
Coordination of customer-related continuity measures, service continuity measures and project continuity measures.
Preparation of operational status reports covering performance, risks, open decisions and mitigation proposals.
Preparation of management team review sessions connected to the assessment and transition activities.

B. Business diagnostic and turnaround evaluation

Analysis of market attractiveness, competitive position, customer base, order backlog and growth potential. Creation of an analysis on ability to win and growth ambition
Assessment of operational performance, cost structure, manufacturing footprint, service organization and engineering capabilities. This task is based on Business plan and strategy
Identification of turnaround opportunities, value creation levers and operational improvement initiatives.
Preparation of a turnaround business case, including key assumptions, value impact, required investments, risks and implementation requirements.
Preparation of a turnaround implementation roadmap with major work packages, milestones and decision points.

C. Strategic options assessment

Assessment of monetization opportunities for technology, intellectual property, service activities, customer assets and project assets. This task is based on Business plan to quantify monetization opportunities
Evaluation of potential buyer, partner and interested-party feedback obtained during the project. This task is based on Quality/quantity of evaluation reports
Preparation of strategic option profiles for turnaround with investment, restructure and hold, divestment or asset sale, licensing or partnership model, and controlled wind-down.
Quantification of value potential, risks, investment requirements, resource requirements and implementation requirements for each strategic option.
Preparation of comparative decision materials for Steering Committee review.

D. Recommendation, implementation and transition

Development of a fact-based recommendation for the preferred strategic path within the first three to four months of the mandate.
Preparation and presentation of final recommendation materials for Steering Committee decision.
Preparation of a detailed implementation and transition roadmap after Steering Committee approval.
Execution planning for the approved strategic path, including work packages, milestones, decision points and risk mitigations.
Preparation of transition documentation for future ownership, permanent management, restructuring execution or wind-down execution.
Preparation of hand-over materials covering business status, key risks, customer and project situation, operational improvement initiatives, open actions and open decision points.
Preparation of a final report summarizing findings, actions completed and remaining recommendations.

Deliverables:

Creation of comprehensive documentation with all results regarding the above mentioned tasks with subsequent handover to client for review and approval for further usage.
The service provision has the goal of delivering a complete diagnostic, a fact-based strategic recommendation, an approved implementation roadmap and a structured transition package for the Equipment business.

Milestone/Service outputs:
First 90 days

Completion of business diagnostic.
Completion of market and competitive assessment.
Preparation of turnaround and strategic option business cases.
Preparation of buyer, partner and stakeholder feedback assessment.
Preparation of preliminary recommendation.

By month 4

Submission of final recommendation to the Steering Committee.
Documentation of approved preferred strategic path.
Agreement of detailed implementation and transition roadmap.

End of mandate, month 6

Implementation start of the approved strategic path.
Completion of organizational and operational transition documentation.
Documentation of business continuity status.
Delivery of comprehensive hand-over package.
Delivery of final report with findings, completed actions and remaining recommendations.

Candidate Profile

Former CEO, Managing Director, General Manager, or Business Unit Leader within machinery, industrial equipment, automation, or engineering industries.
Proven track record in turnarounds, restructuring, carve-outs, and transformation programs.
Experience with M&A, divestments, investor situations, or business exits.
Strong operational and commercial leadership capabilities.
Hands-on executor with credibility in manufacturing and engineering environments.
Able to make difficult decisions while maintaining employee and customer confidence.
Fluent German and English

Start: ASAP
Capacity: full-time, 40h/week
Duration: 6 months
Location: mainly onsite in Austria, Germany sites