1) Client situation (anonymised):
A multi-site European industrial group, recognized for its metal products manufacturing, operates several plants across Europe and the Middle East. The Hungarian facility, a key production site within the group’s global supply chain, faced mounting operational challenges. With headquarters in Western Europe and a diverse international footprint, the business required urgent intervention to address declining plant performance and restore execution discipline at a critical location.
2) The challenge:
- Production output below target, with efficiency gaps and missed improvement opportunities
- Scrap rates exceeding group benchmarks, impacting cost and quality
- Lack of operational leadership with hands-on production expertise
- Weak KPI ownership and inconsistent performance management
- Shop floor engagement and continuous improvement culture missing
- Misalignment between headquarters expectations and local execution
- Leadership gap in driving lean manufacturing and process discipline
3) Interim role delivered (speed and fit):
CE Interim rapidly deployed an Interim Plant Manager with a proven track record in operational turnaround and lean manufacturing. The assignment was structured as a 12 month mandate to ensure full-cycle stabilization and transition. The selected leader brought direct experience in metal products manufacturing, fluency in both Hungarian and English, and a strong background in cross-border plant management. This ensured immediate credibility with both local teams and headquarters, and the ability to drive change on the shop floor from day one.
4) What happened during the mandate:
First 30 days
- Assessed plant operations, identified bottlenecks, and established immediate control measures
- Restored daily shop floor presence and direct engagement with production teams
- Introduced clear KPIs for output, scrap, and efficiency, aligning with group standards
- Initiated weekly performance reviews and rapid feedback loops
- Built trust with both local staff and headquarters through transparent communication
First 6 months
- Embedded a structured operational cadence with daily tier meetings and shift handovers
- Launched targeted lean initiatives to reduce waste and improve throughput
- Developed and mentored team leaders, strengthening accountability at all levels
- Reduced changeover times and improved machine utilization through hands-on coaching
- Addressed quality issues by implementing root cause analysis and corrective actions
6+ months
- Consolidated gains by scaling best practices across shifts and departments
- Established a continuous improvement culture, with regular kaizen events and operator involvement
- Improved alignment between plant and headquarters on performance targets and reporting
- Prepared the organization for sustainable performance beyond the interim period
Handover and exit
- Transferred operational routines and KPI management to permanent plant leadership
- Delivered comprehensive documentation and training for ongoing process discipline
- Supported a seamless leadership transition, ensuring continuity and minimal disruption
- Provided final performance review and recommendations for future improvement
5) Actions taken (execution focus):
- Restored daily operational rhythm and visible shop floor leadership
- Implemented clear KPIs for output, scrap, and efficiency, tracked weekly
- Established daily tier meetings and structured shift handovers
- Led targeted lean projects to reduce waste and improve productivity
- Mentored and developed team leaders for stronger accountability
- Drove root cause analysis for recurring quality and efficiency issues
- Improved communication and alignment between local teams and headquarters
- Embedded continuous improvement routines and operator involvement
- Standardized reporting cadence and performance reviews
- Facilitated knowledge transfer and process documentation for handover
6) Outcomes achieved (measurable proof):
- Production rhythm stabilized within 90 days, reducing unplanned downtime
- Scrap rates reduced toward group targets, improving cost and quality trajectory
- Operational cadence restored, with daily and weekly performance reviews embedded
- Changeover times cut by more than half, increasing machine availability
- Team leader capability and accountability strengthened across all shifts
- Quality incidents and rework rates declined through disciplined problem-solving
- Alignment between headquarters and plant management improved, reducing escalation
- Sustained productivity improvements and a foundation for ongoing lean initiatives
- Successful transition to permanent leadership with no disruption to operations
7) Why CE Interim:
CE Interim delivered a rapid, precise interim solution tailored to the operational turnaround mandate. The interim leader’s hands-on approach, cross-border fluency, and proven track record ensured immediate credibility and fast traction. CE Interim’s disciplined deployment process, combined with strong governance and stakeholder alignment, reduced risk for both headquarters and local teams. The result was visible stabilization, restored control, and a clear path to sustainable performance.
8) Call to action:
If you require an Interim Plant Manager to stabilize production rhythm and restore operational control in a critical manufacturing facility, CE Interim can deliver the right leader quickly and safely for your mandate.
CE Interim delivers proven executive interim leaders within 72 hours across borders, cultures, and industries. We specialize in high-impact interim management for private equity firms, family offices, and global corporations facing moments of transition: digital transformation, market entry, operational turnaround, post-merger integration, or crisis.
What sets us apart is not just the speed or depth of our network, it’s how we lead. Every engagement is personally guided by a CE Interim managing partner: former CEOs, CFOs, or COOs who’ve been on your side of the table, steering organizations through high-stakes decisions.
With a global talent pool and operational reach spanning Europe, the USA, and the Middle East, we don’t fill roles, we build trust, lead transitions, and deliver outcomes.
As part of the Valtus Alliance, the world’s largest alliance of Executive Interim Management companies, we ensure seamless international execution through 25+ offices and 80+ senior partners in over 50 countries.
