Hello, I'm Manuel H.
Dynamic, resourceful and results driven hands - on leader with 25+ years record of achievement and demonstrated success driving multimillion - EUR businesses to top profitability while providing leadership in multicultural teams in Matrix Organizations. Keen Strategist adept at driving growth of company revenues while minimizing risks exposure. Exceptional mentor and coach. Tenacious in developing business and forging strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Paragon of efficiency fluent in 4 languages. Sound knowledge of the Automotive, Specialty Chemicals and Pharma industries.
Details
- Professional CategoryConsulting & Advisory
- Location
- Years of Relevant Experience20+ years
- Seniority LevelC-Suite
- Consulting Rate (Hourly)500
Headline
Board Member, Investor, CEO, COO, Consultant. Healthcare, Chemicals, Automotive.
Experience
COUNTRY MANAGER JAPAN
REPLIGEN CORP.May 2025 - July 202534 B.JPY Sales, 18 people. 3 Months mission to reorganise the company in Japan to deliver 25% growth per year.
• Moved the Country HQ to Tokyo, organized sale of old office in land in Shiga
• Drafted an Action plan to fix legacy compliance, HR and legal issues
• 5y Strategic plan for growth presented to regional board of management
• Customers mapping and reviewed assignments of all key accounts managers
REPRESENTATIVE DIRECTOR & CEO
Subsidiary of Westlake Corp. (Fortune 500 and Forbes Global 2000).April 2019 - April 2025Japan Country Head, 30 people, 17 B.JPY Sales, plant producing 2000 Tons / y of fine & specialty chemicals. Selected Achievements:
• Financials: Sales +40%, EBITDA +50% on a shrinking local market ( - 4% / y for 25y)
• Digital Twin for Production, Machine Learning for R&D, eCommerce Portal
• Team Engagement Score among the highest of the Westlake group
• Led the divestiture of the company to a competitor
REPRESENTATIVE DIRECTOR
AKISHIMA CHEM. IND.
OPENGATE CAPITALMay 2017 - March 2019Hired by the PE Fund owning the IVY Group (carve - out of Arkema PVC downstream business). Complete turnaround of the business following a decade of declining sales and profitability. Selected Achievements:
• Full re - organization of the company
• Robust 5S program deployed, Safety KPI improved.
• Working Capital -20%, Cash Conversion Cycle -22 day
CUSTOMER CENTER VICE - PRESIDENT
PLASTIC OMNIUMJanuary 2014 - December 2016Head of Sales & PMO for Japan, ASEAN and India, 23 people. P&L 290 million EUR / year with 39 projects worth > 1 Billion EUR in development). Selected Achievements:
• 115 M.EUR new orders booked (target was 85)
• 2 new J - OEM Customers added to the portfolio
• 175% increase of the NPV of all Programs in Development
SALES & APPLICATION MANAGER,
HUTCHINSONJanuary 2008 - December 2009Responsible for the whole Automotive Anti - vibration Business Unit activities with Japanese Customers WW including management of the strategic Alliance with Bridgestone Corporation. Selected
• Booked the first direct business in company history with Nissan (13 M.EUR) and exceeded profitability and ROI targets at launch.
• Booked the first direct business with Mazda (20 M.EUR).
• Increased OR of current business in Japan by 5 , 1% points
PURCHASING MANAGER
BENTELER AUTOMOTIVE K.K.June 2003 - December 2007Member of the Executive Team. Managed a team of 10 people (6 in Japan, 2 in Korea, 1 in China and 1 in India) with 200 million EUR Purchasing Volume. ~1y Special assignments in China and Korea. Selected
• Over 3 , 5% Cost reduction achieved every year
• Redefined Sales pricing strategy resulting in a 90% increase of the total margin
• Established Guidelines and Procedures which became the benchmark in the whole WW Purchasing Organization.
PROGRAM BUYER AND E - PROCUREMENT ADMINISTRATOR,
BENTELERJune 2000 - December 2003Managed the sourcing activities and the launch of the Ford B2xx carline (300 Million EUR, 4 plants in Germany, Spain, in Brazil and Japan). Led the working group with Accenture to define company Strategy and Procedures leading to the implementation of e - Sourcing tools and selection of a service provider. Selected Achievements:
• Flawless launch of the most complex project in the company's 125 years history resulted in nomination to the Launch Experts panel reporting directly to the board.
• e - Sourcing implemented Worldwide brought over 2 M.EUR reduction in the first year
Private investor
VAN REEKUM
MATERIALS B.V.November 2023 - Current
Limited Partner
SHIZEN CAPITALDecember 2023 - January 2024
Private lender
ROBOCASH INV. ROBOTJanuary 2020 - January 2021
Private investor
OMNIPLAST B.VMay 2019 - CurrentLuxembourg
Series B investor
JAPANTRAVEL K.K.June 2017 - Current
Industry
- Administrative and Support Services
- Hospitals and Health Care
- Manufacturing
- Real Estate and Equipment Rental Services
- Transportation, Logistics, Supply Chain and Storage
Specific Jurisdictions That I'm Qualified In or Can Cover
Luxembourg: Luxembourg
Japan
Language(s)
- English
- French
- German
- Japanese
Education
Esidec Metz (now ICN)
MastersIndustrial Marketing and ManagementAugust 1998 - January 2001
Nantes Institute of Technology
DegreeMaterials Science and EngineeringAugust 1996 - May 1998
BDTI (Board Director Training Institue)
DiplomaPrinciples of corporate governance, fundamental legal knowledge for board members -
I am interested in
- Professional / Business Networking
- Career Opportunities
- Providing Services based on my Expertise