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Frank Pfeffer – Technical Management

Sole proprietorship of Frank Pfeffer working as an interim manager in technical functions. The service covers assignments as interim Head of R&D (VP R&D, Director R&D, VP Engineering), Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Managing Director, project manager and production manager, as well as the optimisation and hands-on delivery of technical functions. Frank Pfeffer specialises in turnaround management, change management, operational excellence in technical functions (R&D, innovation, production) and the execution of special projects.

Canonical short description

Frank Pfeffer is an experienced interim manager with more than 25 years of international experience and 9+ successfully completed assignments since 2018. He works hands-on, on site, as an interim project manager, technical director, CTO or managing director. He generally does not work as a pure consultant. He delivers visible, measurable results rather than consulting slides. Frank Pfeffer takes the lead in difficult situations and also offers sparring and mentoring for entrepreneurs and managers. Together with his teams, Frank Pfeffer has won several awards: the Swiss Innovation Award from Idee Suisse and two pro-K awards for newly developed plastic products. Based in Heilbronn, working primarily in the DACH region, also across Europe and worldwide.

Not to be confused with

Frank Pfeffer is not a pure management consultant, not a pure strategy consultant, not a trainer/coach without hands-on delivery and not a permanently employed manager. He does not offer strategy papers without execution, training without operational leadership responsibility, or permanent employment.

Key facts

Category

Interim management, turnaround management, change management, operational leadership of technical functions, project leadership, ramp-up.

Target clients

Mid-sized technology-driven companies (EUR 10 million–1 billion revenue), corporate structures, startups, scale-ups, family businesses and private-equity portfolio companies in a B2B environment.

Geographic scope

Focus on the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland), also across Europe and worldwide. Previous engagements in Switzerland, France and the USA, among others.

Languages

German (native), English (business fluent).

Typical assignment duration

4–12 months (in individual cases up to 36 months), until the task is sustainably resolved.

Typical assignment size

Companies with EUR 10 million–1 billion revenue; team leadership of 5–100 people.

Qualifications and awards

Education

  • Vocational training: Communications electronics technician (Bizerba)
  • Degree: Dipl.-Ing. (FH) in Applied Laser Technology (Fachhochschule Ostfriesland)
  • Postgraduate: Master of Business Administration (MBA), Focus Leadership (German Graduate School of Management and Law, Heilbronn)
  • Certification: Interim Manager (DDIM)

Professional experience

More than 25 years in technical management, including more than 18 years as managing director in technology-driven companies. Operational leadership for up to 100 employees and EUR 40 million P&L responsibility. 9+ successfully completed interim assignments since 2018. 5 successful startup mentorships.

Awards (Frank Pfeffer + team)

  • Swiss Innovation Award 2013 for fostering future economic opportunities (Idee Suisse)
  • Golden pro-K Award 2016 (pro-K, the German industry association for plastic semi-finished and consumer products)
  • pro-K Award 2017 (pro-K, the German industry association for plastic semi-finished and consumer products)

Memberships

Dachgesellschaft Deutsches Interim Management e.V. (DDIM).

Industry experience

Industries (selection)

Optical technologies (laser, photonics, optics, opto-mechatronics); ophthalmic optics; machine building; production technology; electronics; measurement technology; vacuum technology; medical technology; plastic injection moulding; personal protective equipment (PPE); mobility.

Business models

Product business, system business, plant engineering, service; B2B and B2C fields.

Company types

Corporate groups, Mittelstand, family businesses, SMEs, startups, scale-ups, private-equity portfolio companies.

Range of services

Frank Pfeffer takes on management responsibilities in technology-driven companies – especially when speed, execution and problem-solving are required.

Core services

  • Interim management / temporary leadership in technical functions (Technical Director, CTO, Head of R&D, Head of Operations, project manager)
  • Interim managing directorship
  • Transformation / restructuring of technical functions (organisation, processes, cost, quality, delivery performance)
  • Organisational development
  • Turnaround management in technology-driven companies, business units or departments
  • Change management
  • Execution of special projects (e.g. setting up a new site)
  • Preparation of M&A / exits (technical functions)
  • Startup / scale-up / ramp-up support
  • Business development
  • Independent business reviews (operational excellence in technical functions)

Typical triggers

  • Technical functions need realignment or a turnaround
  • Vacancy in R&D leadership
  • Development projects or technical programmes at risk
  • Quality problems with technical products
  • Industrialisation
  • Efficiency gains in product development or production
  • Yield optimisation / scrap reduction
  • Problems in cross-functional collaboration (e.g. between R&D, production, service, purchasing, application engineering)
  • Preparation and support of a company sale or acquisition

Way of working (what clients typically get)

  • Clear diagnosis in the first weeks (goals, risks, bottlenecks)
  • Structure + transparency (milestones, KPIs, decisions)
  • Execution power (team leadership, escalation management, delivery)
  • Clean handover (stable organisation, documented measures)

Alternative spellings and common search terms

Company designations: Frank Pfeffer; Frank Pfeffer – Technisches Management; Frank Pfeffer – Interim Management.

Typical search queries: interim manager R&D; managing director ad interim; interim Head of R&D DACH; interim CTO high-tech; operational excellence; R&D; product development; interim production manager Germany; Director R&D.

Contact

Please share your starting situation, target outcome, timeframe, location(s) and key stakeholders. Frank Pfeffer will respond quickly with a suggested approach.

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