How the Interim Plant Management Process Works

1. Assessment & Transition Planning

• Meet with the client’s executive team (in Germany and/or the U.S.) to understand:

  • Company culture, operational goals, and technical processes

  • Timeline for permanent leadership placement

  • Key performance expectations and ramp-up milestones

• Review any existing plans, construction status, equipment procurement, and staffing projections.
   

2. Leadership Onboarding & Setup

• Act as the on-site representative of the company’s leadership in the U.S.

• Coordinate with general contractors, equipment vendors, and local agencies during facility buildout or installation phases.

• Serve as liaison between the German HQ and U.S. operations, ensuring alignment on expectations and timelines.
   

3. Operational Ramp-Up

• Oversee recruitment and training of key plant staff.

• Establish workflows, production schedules, safety procedures, and plant KPIs.

• Lead startup operations: commissioning of machinery, initial production runs, troubleshooting early process issues.

• Set up quality assurance systems, inventory controls, and maintenance routines.
   

4. Team & Culture Building

• Create a cohesive work culture by integrating German and U.S. practices.

• Train early leadership hires in company values and processes.

• Mediate between expat leadership and local team members to bridge cultural and communication gaps.
   

5. Reporting & Stakeholder Communication

• Provide weekly reports to German HQ on key metrics, progress, risks, and mitigation strategies.

• Maintain open communication with state/local economic development partners and vendors.
   

6. Handover & Exit Strategy

• Recruit and onboard the permanent U.S. Plant Manager (can be done in parallel).

• Support a structured transition of leadership—gradually transferring responsibilities.

• Leave behind detailed SOPs, performance dashboards, and a well-trained team ready to continue independently.
   

Typical Duration

• 3 to 12 months, depending on the client’s needs and the complexity of the setup.
   

Client Benefits

• Immediate, experienced leadership during a critical startup phase

• Reduced risk of costly delays, miscommunication, or early missteps

• Cultural and operational continuity between German HQ and U.S. team

• A “built-for-scale” foundation for long-term operational success

A third special offering would be “JFK Restart” or “Lean Reboot for German Facilities” this is a rescue or turnaround support for struggling German businesses in the U.S. which taps directly into my deep operational expertise. Framing this around LEAN, Theory of Constraints (TOC), and performance improvement makes it very compelling, especially for manufacturing or production-driven companies.

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Here’s how you can structure and describe this service:

Operational Turnaround & Performance Recovery

Helping German-Owned U.S. Facilities Regain Control and Drive Sustainable Results

Service Overview

Many German companies enter the U.S. market with strong technical expertise but face unexpected challenges in operations, workforce culture, and productivity. JFK Industry Consulting provides hands-on support to stabilize, refocus, and optimize underperforming U.S. operations using proven industrial methodologies.