PROFILE

International HR Executive using creativity and consulting to support a senior management team to achieve high performance, unleash its full potential and shape the organization for future challenges.
 

• Experienced Executive in Human Resources and Management Development who goes beyond his strong technical base to apply top-notch interpersonal and problem solving skills to both business and human resources issues.
• Exceptional ability to translate business strategies into innovative Human Resources initiatives that help organizations prepare for their future.
• Broad experience in the Human Resources franchise across various branches (Pharmaceuticals, Generics, Agrobusiness, Chemicals, Financial Services and Software / Technology)
• Strong experience in business transformations, e.g. merger integration, start-up situations, building and developing organizations and teams
• Extensive international and intercultural experience, fluent in German, English and French.
• Educational background in business administration and psychology.
   

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Syngenta is one of the world's leading companies with more than 27,000 employees in over 90 countries dedicated to our purpose: Bringing plant potential to life. The company enjoys huge growth rates and will be a $25Bn company by 2020. 

Since September 2011:

Global Head HR Business Partnering, located in Basel, Switzerland. Responsible for HR Business Partnering across Syngenta, supporting Global Commercial Operations. Leading a team of Global HR Business Partners who support all Global Functions. Member of HRLT and Group Commercial Committee.

Supporting strategic growth initiative by implementing Strategic Workforce Planning capability across the company.

March 2005 - AUgust 2011:

Head Human Resources, Global Technical Operations, located in Basel/Switzerland. Responsible for Human Resources Management and Organization Development for the Global Functions Technical Operations, Product Development and Quality Assurance.

Scope in Global Technical Operations: 35 pharmaceutical manufacturing plants across the world employing 8'000 employees, global Supply Chain Management, Sourcing and Purchasing, Engineering and HSE.

Scope in Global Product Development: 7 Global Product Development Centers across the world - employing 2'000 employees. Function includes Project and Portfolio Management as well as DRA.

Responsible for a global team of 75 HR professionals.

• Organization design and staffing of new Global Technical Operations and Global Human Resources Function.

• Integration of Hexal Manufacturing and Supply Chain into Sandoz Global Technical Operations.

• Support of worldwide Production Network Consolidation Program, i.e. site exits and closures, capacity expansion projects in many countries, site acquisition projects in Turkey, Indonesia and China.

• Multiple M&A projects, including due diligence and integration work.

• Introduction of Talent Development as a key priority for future growth.

Head, Human Resources Project Office, located in Basel/Switzerland. Responsible for Corporate HR Initiative to define the future HR (vision) at Novartis, to design the future HR Service Delivery Model and the HR organisation (structure, roles, resources and skill requirements), and to map out the transformational change. Additional responsibility as internal consultant for business projects in the area of Organization Development and M&A.

• Designed the future HR Service Delivery Model for Novartis

• Successfully designed HR Governance structure and supported its implementation

• Established HR Project Office at Corporate level to review all HR projects of significant importance

Novartis Pharma AG

2003:

• Successfully implemented Pathways (Competency based People Development Program) for the Global IT Function

• Introduced Talent Development Process (Talking Talent)

• Facilitated major reorganisation program to build new global Infrastructure organisation

2000 – 2001:

Day Software AG 

Day (SWX:DAYN) is an international and leading provider of enterprise content management and furthermore offers award winning unification software, which enables companies to unify and manage all digital data, systems, applications and processes through the web.

Global Head Human Resources, located in Basel/Switzerland. Responsible for building up a global HR organisation in a start-up business right after IPO.

Major achievements:

• Managed headcount increase from 100 to over 250 in 10 months despite dry IT labour market in all countries and heavy restructuring activities

• Design and implementation of all relevant HR group policies and processes (management structure, travel, international assignments, compensation committee structure, benefits such as pension plan, car plan and stock options, insurances etc., performance measurement, etc.)

• Built an international HR network (all new hires) across the organisation

• Successful participation in all M&A activities: various due diligence processes, management audits and integration of acquired company (MarketingNet in the UK)

• Initiated and facilitated organizational development processes on top management level

• Successfully facilitated transition from Swiss web agency to Global Software company and migration of various headquarter functions from Basel to Newport Beach, California.

1999 – 2000:

UBS AG 

Human Resources Manager at UBS Private Banking for Domestic Clients outside Switzerland, located in Basel and Zurich (Switzerland), responsible for all HR matters in start-up and acquisition projects, eg. senior recruitment, performance measurement, compensation and benefits, organisational development and coaching.

Major achievements:

• Successfully managed annual salary, bonus and promotion round within the worldwide business area (1'100 employees).

• Successfully lead international project team (Private Banking Global Recruitment Project) to design and implementation of screening and selection processes and tools.

1998 – 1999:

Ciba Specialty Chemicals Inc.

Head Corporate Management Development, located in Basel / Switzerland (24'000 employees), responsible for Global Succession Planning, Talent Management, Leadership Development for High Potentials, Executive Assessments and Corporate HR Projects

Major achievements:

• Successful global roll out of new Management Development Process and tools (database)

• Design and Implementation of Executive Assessment for High Potentials

1991:

Internship in Management Development at F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG in Basel

1987 – 1990:
Vocational training in Business Administration at Rietschle GmbH in Schopfheim

PROFESSIONAL TRAINING & COACHING

2003                HR Mentoring Program (Novartis / Leadersource)