Consumer Services
Education
Professional Services
Retail
Wholesale
Active

Dr.Florian Kaufmann

International, vivid, hands on, solution minded leader

About Me

Seasoned CEO and operating executive with 25+ years in international leadership across Automotive, FMCG (Food, Supplements, Cosmetics, Wellness Devices), SaaS, and Direct Selling. I have consistently delivered €1.2 billion revenue, double-digit EBITDA, and scalable performance through turnaround & growth strategies, global distribution excellence, and team empowerment across Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Europe.

Jurisdiction

Austria | Belgium | France | Germany | Italy | Netherlands | South Africa | Switzerland | United Kingdom

Experience

Seniority LevelExecutive
Years of Experience20+ years
Current StatusActive
CEO
2009 - 2021

• Delivered €80M+ sales and 60% revenue growth. • Grew workforce to 85 across three facilities; realized consistent >10% EBITDA. • Enhanced regional market share through innovative product launches and strong partner engagement. • Developed and implemented a new online sales channel €8+M. • Reached #1 market in Europe within the Forever Living Products world

CEO & Founder
2022 - Present

• Co-founded and developed a meal replacement product startup, overseeing business functions including distribution, sales, marketing, finance, and IT. • Established direct selling as a primary sales channel, generating a growing client base and brand recognition in competitive markets.

Director of Dealer Network Development Worldwide
1995 - 2000

• Managed a 95-person team across Fiat, Lancia, Alfa Romeo, and light commercial brands, orchestrating a revolutionary “hub & spoke” network coverage with Bain Cuneo and Arthur Andersen consultants. • Executed a 20% reduction in network size and a 3-point decrease in channel costs, improving operational efficiency and profitability. • Introduced a new franchise contract and revamped service strategy, setting industry standards in dealership operations and customer service. • Led negotiations with dealer boards, driving initiatives that fortified dealer relationships and optimized profit margins.

Chief Fleet Operations Business Unit
2000 - 2004

• Led fleet sales to record levels, generating $1.2 billion in revenue with a 54% increase in vehicle sales amid a challenging market. • Engineered a market strategy targeting small B2B fleet customers, capturing a previously untapped market segment. • Launched an innovative dealer incentive program, cutting administrative control by 50% and raising market share by 15%, achieving $17 million in budget savings. • Improved fleet department’s contribution margin by 25% over three years through optimized operations and strategic customer engagement. • Established Ford’s first CRM center in Frankfurt, enhancing service quality and supporting acquisition activities for key clients.

Education

Masters of EconomicsCa' Foscari University
1982 - 1986
Masters of State exam for Certified Public AccountantCa' Foscari University
1986 - 1987
Masters of MBA - Business AdministrationDuke University - Fuqua Business School
2005 - 2007
Doctorate of Business AdministrationNapier University
2017 - Present

Certification

Total Certifications1

Certified Public Accountant

Ca' Foscari University

1987

Skills

Core skills0
Languages3

Languages

English
German
Italian