Niklaus Kern
Otelfingen
Kurzprofil
Senior leader with 18+ years of experience in manufacturing, engineering, and master data management within a high-tech industrial environment. Proven track record in building and developing Master Data Management and Work Preparation organizations, driving SAP S/4HANA data readiness, and establishing the foundations of enterprise data governance. Currently Corporate Head of Master Data Management & Work Preparation, acting as Global Material Master Data Owner and Process Owner for Product Data Maintenance, working closely with COO and CFO to build data ownership and governance structures. Experienced in leading distributed teams and collaborating with international stakeholders across Europe and Asia. Combines strong operational and engineering background with strategic leadership, change management, and transformation expertise.
Übersicht
20
20
years of professional experience
8
8
years of post-secondary education
Berufserfahrung
Corporate Head of Master Data Management & Work Preparation
Reichle & De-Massari AG
2024.11 - 2026.05
- Responsible for Material Master Data and Product Data Maintenance across multiple international locations.
- Lead MDM & Work Preparation team in Switzerland, Bulgaria, India and China
- Disciplinary leadership in Switzerland and functional leadership internationally
- Global Material Master Data Owner
- Process Owner – Product Data Maintenance
- Build foundations of enterprise Data Governance in collaboration with CFO and COO
- Drive data readiness for SAP S/4HANA rollouts and global template adoption
- Led Work Preparation and Material Master data readiness for the SAP S/4HANA rollout in India
- Led material master data cleansing initiative during SAP introduction
- Built Master Data Management & Work Preparation organization in India
- Created enterprise Master Data Overview as foundation for Data Governance and Data Inventory
- Reorganized Work Preparation organization in Bulgaria
- Harmonized and improved Engineering Change Request (ECR) process including lifecycle and liquidation integration
- Led rollout of Variant Configuration to additional locations (incl. India)
- Established structured processes for Material Master and Product Data Maintenance
Head of Process Planning
Rheinmetall Air Defence AG
2023.02 - 2024.10
- Leadership of process planning departments (electronics, assembly, mechanics) with 17 employees.
- Developed and strengthened the Work Preparation organization
- Harmonized all Work Preparation departments in Zurich onto one standardized process
- Led organizational development and change initiatives
- Improved cross-functional collaboration between engineering and production
Head of Production Engineering
Rheinmetall Air Defence AG
2020.01 - 2023.01
- Responsible for budgeting, controlling and performance management
- Supported department leadership across a 40-person organization
- Strengthened industrialization and production readiness processes
Deputy Head of Production Planning
Rheinmetall Air Defence AG
2017.01 - 2019.12
- Led special projects including weapon barrel production programs
- Advised engineering on manufacturing technologies and cost optimization
Production Planning Specialist
Rheinmetall Air Defence AG
2009.06 - 2016.12
- Planning of complex manufacturing processes across machining, welding, heat treatment and surface finishing.
CNC Operator & Tooling Specialist
Rheinmetall Air Defence AG
2006.08 - 2009.05
Ausbildung
NDS HF General Management - Business Administration
IPSO Zurich
2021.01 - 2022.01
Advanced studies - Industrial Engineering
IBZ Zurich
2008.01 - 2011.01
Apprenticeship Polymechanic CNC -
Rheinmetall Air Defence AG
2002.01 - 2006.01
Kompetenzen
- Master Data Management
- Data Governance
- SAP S/4HANA
- Data Readiness
- Data Cleansing
- Material Master Maintenance
- Product Data Maintenance
- Engineering Change Processes
- Product Lifecycle Processes
- Organizational Development
- Change Management
- Executive Stakeholder Management
- Team building
LANGUAGES
German
Proficient
C2
English
Advanced
C1
Custom
- Member of the Board of Trustees, Pension Fund Reichle & De-Massari, 01/01/26, Present
- Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Rheinmetall Pension Fund, 01/01/23, 10/31/24
- Board Member, Rheinmetall Pension Fund, 01/01/18, 12/31/23
Zeitleiste
Corporate Head of Master Data Management & Work Preparation
Reichle & De-Massari AG
2024.11 - 2026.05
Head of Process Planning
Rheinmetall Air Defence AG
2023.02 - 2024.10
NDS HF General Management - Business Administration
IPSO Zurich
2021.01 - 2022.01
Head of Production Engineering
Rheinmetall Air Defence AG
2020.01 - 2023.01
Deputy Head of Production Planning
Rheinmetall Air Defence AG
2017.01 - 2019.12
Production Planning Specialist
Rheinmetall Air Defence AG
2009.06 - 2016.12
Advanced studies - Industrial Engineering
IBZ Zurich
2008.01 - 2011.01
CNC Operator & Tooling Specialist
Rheinmetall Air Defence AG
2006.08 - 2009.05
Apprenticeship Polymechanic CNC -
Rheinmetall Air Defence AG
2002.01 - 2006.01