About me - Achim Bartelheimer

About me - Achim Bartelheimer
Leader and Expert in Sales & Engineering

Customer-Centric Change Adaptations in
Automotive & Industrial Segment

Leadership is not a tool for me, but an inner attitude. Interim Management means committing to an organization with full responsibility for a limited time – and being effective during that time. With this approach, I take on assignments: technically, operationally, and structurally.

My journey began as a graduate engineer in mechanical engineering – built on a solid foundation as a skilled worker, trained as a sheet metal worker (apparatus mechanic). Through various positions in development, manufacturing, and project management, I took on operational leadership responsibilities – initially in the technical field, later expanding into sales and business management. Executive functions, line responsibility, and international project work shape my current understanding of implementation and impact.

The industry is no walk in the park. Anyone who has established themselves in it for over 30 years knows cost pressure, tight deadlines, and the demands of personal mobility – and knows how to handle it. Determination, perseverance, endurance, and the unwavering will to achieve set goals are part of my professional DNA.

Today, I support companies in transition phases – as a temporary manager with a technical foundation, a business overview, and strong communication skills. Whether it's project leadership, sales development, or restructuring: I am effective where structures are required, communication must be honest, and implementation means more than just management.

 About me - Achim Bartelheimer - My Core Competencies

Cornerstone: Commercial Sales Excellence

Cornerstone: Engineering Expertise

Working Style and Attitude - Achim Bartelheimer

Leadership is not a tool for me, but an inner attitude. Interim Management means committing to an organization with full responsibility for a limited time – and being effective during that time. With this approach, I take on assignments: technically, operationally, and structurally.

My journey began as a graduate engineer in mechanical engineering. Through various stages in development, manufacturing, and project management, I took on operational leadership responsibilities – initially in the technical field, later expanding into sales and business management. Executive functions, line responsibility, and international project work shape my current understanding of implementation and impact.

Today, I support companies in transition phases – as a temporary manager with a technical foundation, a business overview, and strong communication skills. Whether it's project leadership, sales development, or restructuring: I am effective where structures are required, communication must be honest, and implementation means more than just management.

For clarity in the project and certainty in the result.
11.2023 –12.2024
ad interim

Metal Suppliers in Automotive, Tier 2 & Tier 1 System Manufacturers

(CSO) Executive Management of Sales & Programs Division

  • Taking on responsibility as a member of the executive management team / organizational function /
    (Teamwork)

  • Restructuring of the Sales Division / Sales Strategy Project 
  • Assumption of Project Leadership in Sales, Work Preparation, and Project Management
  • Management of the Key Account Project (Daimler Truck, Boysen, Purem)
  • Conceptualization and Implementation of Measures to Increase Revenue
  • Ensuring the Operational Sales Tasks
  • Project Leadership and Communication: Ensuring the Transformation from Autocratic to Collaborative Leadership Style
  • Post-calculation of customer orders, implementing price adjustments, batch sizes
  • Frozen Zone with Customers
  • Planning and Implementation of Measures from the Horváth Sales Strategy Process
  • Taking on the resolution of escalation issues from the customer and team environment 
09.2023 – 05.2024
ad interim

Independent GmbH in the Field of Plastic Processing for Automotive

Key Account Manager New Markets

  • Business Development New Customers, New Markets
  • Sparring Partner to CEO/Sales Director
  • Focusing/Optimizing Market Presence PPT
  • Identifying USPs, SWOT Analyses...
07.2022 – 12.2023
ad interim

Plastic Processing, Tier 2 Automotive, Non-Automotive

 Sales Management (Head of Sales)

  • Restructuring of Sales/Program Management Unit
  • Re-establishment of "Time to Market Structure & Culture"
  • Redesign of the RFQ process and follow-up actions
  • Relationship Management for A-Customers newly established.
  • Escalation Management
  • Tripling of A-Customer inquiries
  • Acquisition of new Tier 1 customers
  • P&L responsibility for Sales/Program Management
  • Employee management: 8 employees
04.2021 – 06.2022
ad interim

Plastic Processing, Tier 2 Automotive, Non-Automotive

Expert in Sales & Restructuring

  • Sales & technical communication during restructuring/insolvency phases
  • Reliable communication in critical project phases
  • Supplier management during the restructuring phase (Purchasing, Risk Management at VW, Audi Győr, VW Components Group)
  • Staff motivation and straightforward communication during a difficult transition phase
  • Operational offer management, negotiation management

No operational personnel responsibility

02.2017 – 08.2019
ad interim

Fluid Management & Valve Systems, Emissions Reduction

Sales & Project Management Leadership

  • Leadership & further development of a Sales/PL department
  • Leading & supporting employees in difficult customer negotiations and project situations
  • Successful renegotiation (Claim Management)

With A-customers (Bosch).

  • Support in On-/Offboarding processes
  • Employee Leadership-Recruiting, here approximately 10 employees.
08.2016 – 01.2017

Plastic Processing Tier 2

Sales Management Leadership (Authorized Officer)

  • Goal: Acquisition at the OEM level
  • Synchronization and restructuring of the sales organization
  • Employee leadership: here approximately 10 employees
  • Assumption of project management leadership
  • Due to internal volatile changes (massive ramp-up issues in 85% of the projects), the position was quickly dissolved, and focus shifted
01.2015 – 06.2016
Permanent Position

Automotive Equipment: JIT Assembly – Frontend

Senior Project Manager Frontend

  • JIT Frontend assembly, delivery of pre-ordered parts
  • Interdisciplinary Program Management
  • P&L responsibility during the development phase
  • Change management (sales-related follow-ups)
  • Focus on planned in-house injection molding production (AGS)
  • Cost/Time/Quality control
  • Customer: Mercedes Benz (Locations: Hungary, Germany, Mexico)

Technical leadership of the project team (approx. 15 employees)

05.2013 – 04.2015
Permanent Position

Mechatronics/Interior-Interface-Connectivity

Head of Business Unit Cockpit

  • Business development & cold calling with OEMs: BMW/VW/Audi/Daimler/Skoda
  • Product groups: Infotainment solutions, wireless charging solutions, control units, etc.
    (Competition to Bury)
  • Location management of 2 areas (Nuremberg/Delbrück); approx. €50 million
03.2012 – 04.2013
Permanent Position

Automotive Plant Construction: Cable Systems Robotics

Head of Customer Center B2B

  • Sales of robotic equipment, "Dresspacks-material supply"
  • Customers: Automotive plants: BMW / VW Group
  • CBD aspects introduced in the equipment segment
  • Inside sales: Efficiency increase, inquiry throughput
  • Service and product technology (streamlining & standardization)
  • Outside sales: A-customer visits: Audi/BMW/VW

Technical leadership (approx. 25 employees); (Revenue: approx. €19 million)

11.2008 – 10.2011
Permanent Position

Mechatronics/Interior-Interface-Connectivity

Sales Management OEM + IAM

  • Business development of equipment/ cold calling with OEMs: BMW/Daimler/SEAT/Audi/Skoda/Ford/Opel
  • Successful entry as OEM Line Fitting supplier at BMW, Audi, Daimler
  • Pushing for SPICE Level 2/3
  • Supporting plant releases VDA 3.2 BMW, VW, Mercedes
  • Simultaneous takeover of the aftermarket distribution sales for connectivity solutions, control units, mobile communication solutions
  • Customers: OEMs
  • OES: VW/BMW/Audi Accessories
  • Aftermarket: Bosch, Stahlgruber Group, etc.
  • Technical leadership: approx. 22 employees / Revenue: approx. €70 million
04.2002 – 10.2008
Permanent Position

Interior Plastic Components & Systems

Customer Unit Leadership BMW Group

  • Sales of pre- and series development projects
  • Weekly customer visits in development/purchasing/factories BMW Munich, USA, UK
  • Successful acquisition of system projects
  • Positioning individual components as module suppliers
  • Development of a sustainable BMW network
  • Direct personnel management: approx. 10 employees (outside/inside sales)
09.1995 – 03.2002
Permanent Position

Automotive Original Equipment / Plastic Interior Modules

03.2001 – 02.2002

Program Manager Instrument Panel BMW E85 / Z4

Germany Munich FIZ/ South Carolina

  • Relocation of development project (CAD level) from France to Germany (customer persuasion and short-term implementation); Resident function (FIZ)
  • Short-term SE meetings & purchasing escalation meetings introduced
  • P&L, development revenue responsibility: approx. €35 million
  • Interdisciplinary responsibility (revenue, costs, technology, quality, relocation, ramp-up management)
  • Change management (sales-related follow-ups)
  • Monthly pilot hall appointments in the USA (component status) with top management purchasing/factory
  • Relocation of 50 tools, partly organized with heavy-lift aircraft, acceleration of ramp-up in the USA
  • Leadership of interdisciplinary project team: approx. 18 employees
07.2000 – 04.2001

Customer Manager USA BMW Group

  • Sales leadership in the USA for BMW
  • Night shift meetings with BMW purchasing (parts shortage)
  • Reporting to Germany
  • Significant improvement in customer relationship achieved
  • $200 million in sales; 400 part numbers
  • Massive change management for X5/Z3 (100 changes/6 months)

Program Manager Volkswagen Group

  • Interdisciplinary development/sales responsibility for 3 instrument panels/console Polo (P&L)
  • Development of approx. 70 part numbers
  • Personal offer management/negotiation (HQ-Wob.) of approx. 450 changes, SOP shift neutral!
  • Validation and relocation of airbag system and airbag assembly to Spain
  • Main contact during relocation and ramp-up 6 months after SOP, approx. 1.3 years stay in Spain and Slovakia
  • Leadership of interdisciplinary project team: approx. 15 employees
09.1995 – 12.1997

Sales Representative for Plants & Cockpit Assembly (SAS) VW

  • Locations: Peine, Wolfsburg, Valencia, Barcelona
  • Enforcing claims and negotiating "open costs"
  • Rebuilding and further developing customer relationships
01.1994 – 08.1995
Permanent Position

Plastic Processor, Furniture Supplier, Thermoplastic Components

Sales Engineer /Assistant to Management

  • Existing customer visits
  • Presenting new technologies
  • Acquiring new customers
08.2024 - 12.2024

Transformation and Turnaround Manager

Certificate
(IFUS Institute, Heidelberg University)

11.2023 - 12.2023

ESG Manager

“Sustainability Manager”, Certificate
DIN EN ISO 14040/14044 (Environmental Balance and Carbon Footprint)
(Alpha Training Institut Karlsruhe) 

01.2006 – 01.2008

University for Applied Science (FHDW) Paderborn, Bielefeld

Internal MBA-based “Executive Program”

Focus: Financing, Globalization, Leadership, Strategy

Degree: Certified Certificate

1988 – 1993

University of Paderborn

Study: Mechanical Engineering: Plastic Processing Technology

Diploma Grade: 1.7

Degree: Diplom-Ingenieur Mechanical Engineering

1987 – 1988

 High School Diploma

1984 – 1987

Bartling GmbH & Co. KG (Air and Filtration Technology)

Vocational Training and Graduation: Sheet Metal Worker

Field: Metal (Environmental/Process Technology)

Languages:                    English, Negotiation-level, written & spoken

Qualifications:

  • Automotive Software Project Manager (Certificate)
  • Communication & Conflict Management
  • "Sales & Negotiation within Automotive Industry" (Certificate)
  • Presentation Management

Software                        

  • MS-Office Package
  • Salesforce
  • SAP-PS

International Experience:

  • Spain/Pamplona (Project work/Launch) 12 months
  • Slovakia/Bratislava (Project work/Launch) 6 months
  • USA/South Carolina (Project work/Launch) 6 months
  • USA/South Carolina (Expat./Head of Sales) 18 months