Chief Operating Officer COO
International management expertise available at short notice in Germany, Europe, worldwide
On-call support for the Executive Board and management
Contact details: Renate H. Sattler
Phone: +49 151 28841087
E-mail: rs@sattlerinterim.com
My role as an internationally experienced Chief Operation Officer COO
As Chief Operating Officer with over 35 years of experience in international trade, including 21 years outside Germany and Europe, I manage challenging transformation processes in various industries worldwide. My focus is on successfully bridging cultural and economic challenges. As interim COO, I bring strategic leadership, efficient process design and a strong network to enable sustainable solutions and growth for companies in a national and international context.
I am Chief Operation Officer COO for renewable energies and their marketing
As Chief Operating Officer for renewable energies and their marketing, I successfully established one of Europe’s largest filling station networks for alternative fuels for heavy goods vehicles. The focus was on sustainable solutions for the mobility transition. My aim is to manage innovative infrastructure projects from conception to implementation in an efficient, future-oriented and cross-industry manner. Thanks to my international network, I can also quickly set up a corresponding filling station network in Germany and Europe for hydrogen as a fuel for private and heavy goods transport and link markets on a global level. My experience shows: The successful marketing of renewable energies is based on foresight, partnership-based cooperation and technological openness. I am convinced that we are making a decisive contribution to climate-friendly mobility and sustainable growth – today and in the future.
Operational clarity and results-oriented implementation
I take on operational management responsibility precisely when structure, clarity and implementation are required.
In many companies, business is growing faster than the structures behind it. Processes come under pressure, teams act reactively and operational issues overshadow the strategic perspective. As a result, resources are no longer optimally deployed, decisions get bogged down and responsibilities become blurred.
Especially in medium-sized companies and in dynamic company phases, you need someone who not only analyzes, but also takes action. That’s what I do in the role of Chief Operating Officer COO, regardless of whether your company calls it that or not. I am the person who takes over operational management with an overview, experience and a clear compass.
Designing structures that support everyday life
Thanks to my understanding of operational processes, corporate management and leadership, I design sustainable structures and processes that work on a day-to-day basis.
As Chief Operating Officer (COO), I act at the interface between strategy and operational implementation: in processes, in day-to-day business and in management. My focus is on combining structure and effectiveness while keeping an eye on what is feasible.
Whether in the role of Chief Operation Officer COO, as an interim manager or in project-related mandates: I create orientation, develop viable solutions with management teams and anchor sustainable results. In doing so, I combine analytical acuity with implementation strength – not as a consultant at a distance, but as part of the system on a temporary basis.
Interim Chief Operating Officer (COO): Operational leadership with substance.
Temporary leadership. Impact for the future. Where transitions begin, my responsibility begins.
Your company is in a phase of transition, reorganization or transformation. Whether it’s a succession plan, the stabilization of operational business, a planned reorganization or preparation for growth – I temporarily take over operational responsibility and reliably keep the business on track.
As an experienced interim COO, I combine C-level experience, entrepreneurial thinking and operational implementation skills. I work as an integrated member of the management team, take on responsibility and relieve the burden on management by effectively bringing operational issues to fruition.
Fields of application
- Transition management: seamless bridging in the event of management changes, succession or vacancies
- Restructuring: stabilization, reorganization and increased efficiency in operations
- Post-merger implementation: operational integration after takeovers or mergers
- Performance enhancement: optimization of processes, reporting and resource management
- Growth support: building sustainable structures in growth or scaling phases
- Organizational development: strengthening leadership, culture and operational capacity to act
My way of working
I am neither a consultant nor a permanent employee, but take on operational responsibility in your company for a defined period of time. I work within your management structure, with clear objectives, unambiguous responsibilities and the measurable requirement to achieve an impact.
What sets me apart is a high degree of commitment, clear management and experience in critical company phases. I strengthen your organization exactly where it needs temporary leadership – structurally, personally and operationally.
Overall operational responsibility
“Structures create space. Processes create speed. Leadership creates impact.”
I make sure that the operational business works – efficiently, sustainably and controllably.
Taking over the day-to-day business
In the role of Chief Operating Officer COO, I manage the day-to-day business: structured, based on key figures and with a clear focus on reliability. I optimize processes with a view to the overall organization – not just for reasons of efficiency, but to achieve an impact: internally and externally.
- Planning, organizing and monitoring all operational processes to maximize efficiency and profitability
- Analysis and optimization of existing processes (lean management)
- Holistic resource management: personnel, budget and infrastructure including target agreements and performance reporting
Strategy implementation
I take responsibility for the implementation of entrepreneurial strategies in day-to-day operations, both in medium-sized companies and in industry. I bring order to structures, processes and responsibilities – and work with management teams to create an operational basis that grows with them.
- Implementation and monitoring of relevant key performance indicators (KPIs)
- Development of realistic growth and expansion plans for SMEs in Germany
- Establishment of agile leadership and change management structures
Leadership & team development
Operational management means more than just structures and figures. It needs people who take responsibility, think for themselves and pull together. I strengthen management teams, promote clarity in roles and communication and establish management routines that create orientation and trust. In doing so, I focus on cooperation at eye level and on systems that enable good leadership.
- Development and management of interdisciplinary teams up to division manager level
- Introduction of regular feedback and development cycles
- Implementation of an integrated management system (ISO 9001, ISO 14001, OHSAS)
Project & crisis management
In phases of major change, uncertainty or acute challenges, operational leadership is required that remains capable of acting. I take on responsibility exactly when it matters – structured, resilient and with a clear focus on stability and implementation. Whether in restructuring, during management changes or in the realignment of operational units: I bring order to chaos – and perspective to decisions.
- Turnaround & restructuring: loss driver analysis and realignment of business processes
- Interim project management in the event of management changes, integration or spin-off of business units
- Immediate measures (“fire department function”) to ensure operational capability and develop medium to long-term resilience goals
My responsibility as Chief Operating Officer COO in the development of a Europe-wide LNG filling station network for heavy goods vehicles
Overall strategic responsibility as Chief Operating Officer COO
As Chief Operating Officer COO, I have overall responsibility for the development and continuous operability of one of the leading LNG filling station networks in Europe, especially for heavy goods vehicles. My responsibilities range from the global procurement of all required components to the realization of commissioning and technical acceptance on site to the actual construction of the filling stations in various European countries. All components were put together in close coordination with reliable engineering partners, whereby the highest quality standards and on-time implementation always had top priority.
Global procurement and process control
From the project planning phase to the selection and testing of individual components – both internationally and nationally – I oversaw all processes as Chief Operating Officer COO. Complete documentation, coordination with international suppliers and the coordination of regional service providers were just as much a part of my daily tasks as the organization of order picking. Prior to installation, all assemblies were approved at the factory and comprehensively tested to ensure smooth assembly and safe operation of the filling station sites in the respective countries.
Ensuring legal compliance and certification
Another key focus was on managing the site-specific legal requirements. Each branch had to be inspected and approved by independent engineering companies according to different country-specific requirements. As Chief Operating Officer COO, I worked closely with authorities, inspection bodies and technical consultants to ensure the certification and commissioning of each filling station.
Operation, maintenance and quality management
My responsibilities as Chief Operating Officer (COO) continued even after the opening of the individual locations: From the organization of maintenance and technical servicing, to quality management and the optimization of operating processes, I always made sure that all stations were fail-safe and offered a high level of reliability. My goal was to provide Europe’s transport industry with a sustainable, modern and environmentally friendly infrastructure for alternative fuels and thus make an active contribution to the energy transition.
Experience and contribution to the energy transition
Thanks to my many years of international experience, my strategic leadership skills and my excellent network, as Chief Operating Officer COO I was able to successfully implement complex projects and establish innovative solutions for heavy goods transportation throughout Europe.
