Interim Management · Food & Cosmetics Industry

Production that
runs again.

For 35 years I have led plants through optimisation, restructuring and change — as an interim manager with full accountability for production and engineering.

Available for assignments Michael Hinz, interim manager and founder of HinzConsult

Michael Hinz · Graduate Engineer, Food Technology · Hannover

Safety boots
over PowerPoint. Hands-on. On the shop floor. Leading by example.

Profile

HinzConsult — that's Michael Hinz.

I focus on the industries I know inside out: food and cosmetics. It's what I learned, what I have always done — and what I still love today.

A graduate engineer in food technology, a “production person” at heart from day one. Across the stations of my career — in mid-sized as well as international companies — I became an entrepreneur by conviction, and finally an interim manager and consultant.

My focus: optimising processes and workflows, increasing OEE and meeting the high requirements and standards of the food and cosmetics industry. An open, direct leadership style with empathy, clear decisiveness and a consistent focus on results.

35+Years of management experience
FocusFood & cosmetics industry
20+Interim assignments
HannoverWorking across DACH
Services

How I move plants forward.

01

Process optimisation & OEE

Systematically analyse workflows and equipment performance and raise them measurably — up to +30 % on existing lines.

02

Interim plant management

Immediate accountability in production & engineering: plant management, commissioning, capacity expansion, continuous-shift operation.

03

Restructuring & change

On-site change management, restructuring concepts (incl. IDW S6), integration and harmonisation of plants.

04

Quality & standards

Building and restructuring quality management, high food-industry standards, steering of contract manufacturers.

Selected assignments

Interim assignments with full accountability.

2025–2026Primal State Performance, BerlinDirector of Operations · Collagen & food supplements
2024Gerresheimer, BündePlant management & consulting · Pharma packaging (glass syringes)
2023Freshnuts GmbH, Bad OldeslohConsulting, processes & organisation · Nuts & dried fruit
2021–2023Kneipp GmbH, OchsenfurtProject lead · Cosmetics – production transfer Cattier → Kneipp
2020–2021Nature's Choice B.V., NLPlant & technical management · Cosmetics (bath bombs, tablets)
2019–2020apetito AG, RheinePlant-management coaching · OEE, Lean & change · Community catering
2018–2019Active Nutrition Int., VoerdeInterim plant management, production · Sports nutrition (24/7 operation)
2017Beromin GmbH, BaesweilerInterim plant management, production · Home & personal care
2016–2017Active Nutrition Int., VoerdeInterim head of quality & product development · Sports nutrition
2016RAPS Fresh, VersmoldInterim plant management · Spices & pastes (B2B)
2015–2016European Convenience Food, BorkenManaging Director (CEO) · Integration of two convenience plants
2014–2015PowerBar GmbH, VoerdePlant management · Equipment performance +30 %  ·  Case study ↗
2013–2014Barteroder Feinkost, AdelebsenConsulting · Process & quality improvement, plant-manager coaching
2012–2014Georg Lemke GmbH, BerlinConsulting & project lead · Restructuring/rationalisation (confectionery)
2011–2012Glockenbrot – REWE Group, FrankfurtConsulting · Frozen-food strategy, production & logistics (industrial bakery)
2010–2011Barteroder Feinkost, AdelebsenPlant management · Fine-food production

Listed are assignments lasting more than four months. Previously Managing Director, Production & Engineering at Dr. Oetker (1997–2005), with earlier roles at Fuchs Gewürze and Kraft Jacobs Suchard. Full reference list available on request.

Contact

Available for
exciting assignments.

I'm happy to arrange meetings outside regular business hours, too. Just get in touch.