Lecturer Position

Lecturer Position – Supply Chain Management & Digital Transformation

Dear International Affairs Department,

I am writing to express my strong interest in the Visiting Lecturer Program at ESB Business School Reutlingen. As the founder of BERTRAMS |Coordinating Complexity| (bertrams-coordinating-complexity.com) with over 20 years of international supply chain leadership experience, I am uniquely positioned to contribute to your distinguished business school’s commitment to bridging academic excellence with practical industry expertise.

Professional Background & Expertise Alignment

My expertise directly aligns with ESB’s focus areas in several key dimensions:

Supply Chain Management & Operations Excellence:

• 20+ years of international S&OP/IBP implementation leadership across 22+ global production sites
• Proven track record managing 25,000+ product portfolios with 85% success rate in digital transformation initiatives
• Deep expertise in SAP, partly S/4HANA, IBP, and advanced planning systems, like Kinaxis and their integration

Digital Transformation & Innovation Management:

• Founder of “Coordinating Complexity” methodology that harmonizes technological innovation with cultural identity
• Led digital transformation initiatives achieving 40% cycle time reduction and 75% manual workload reduction
• Specialized in post-merger integration and cultural preservation during technological change

International Business & Cultural Intelligence:

• Experience spanning Europe, North America, and Asia with proven ability to coordinate cross-cultural teams
• Expertise in navigating EU regulatory complexities while respecting local cultural nuances
• Fluent in German (native), English (professional), and French (intermediate) – a strong fit for ESB’s international student body

Teaching Experience & Methodology

My teaching approach is rooted in extensive corporate training experience and a unique “Hybrid & Binary Project Leadership” methodology:

Corporate Training Background:

• 400+ professionals trained across 15+ international organizations including TOSHIBA EMEA, and globally at Klöckner Pentaplast and Dometic
• Built 12 cross-functional planning communities with sustainable knowledge transfer frameworks
• 85% success rate in training implementations

Current Training Platform on BERTRAMS |COORDINATING COMPLEXITY|; https://bertrams-coordinating-complexity.com

• Live Webinars on supply chain transformation and cultural integration
• On-Demand Courses focusing on S&OP/IBP frameworks and digital transformation
• Customized Workshops for cultural intelligence in tech leadership
• Certification Programs in GDPR-compliant AI deployment and digital transformation

Teaching Philosophy: “Where Tradition Meets Transformation”

My methodology emphasizes:

• Practical Implementation Focus: Real-world case studies from 22+ global sites
• Cultural Intelligence Integration: Preserving organizational heritage during digital transformation
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Breaking down silos between departments and functions
• Hands-On Learning: Combining internal team dynamics with external specialist knowledge

Proposed Course Contributions

I would be delighted to contribute to ESB’s curriculum in the following areas:

1. Advanced Supply Chain Transformation

• S&OP/IBP implementation in international contexts
• Digital transformation strategies with cultural preservation
• Post-merger integration in global supply chains

2. Cultural Intelligence for International Business

• Managing cross-cultural teams in digital transformation
• Preserving organizational DNA during technological change
• EU regulatory compliance with cultural sensitivity

3. Hybrid Project Leadership Workshop (1-2 ECTS)

• Binary leadership models for complex transformations
• Coordinating internal teams with external specialists
• Practical frameworks for sustainable change management

Unique Value Proposition for ESB Students

Industry Credibility: Current consulting practice provides fresh, real-world case studies
Quantified Results: Documented success metrics (85% success rate, 40% efficiency improvements)
Cultural Expertise: Essential for ESB’s diverse international student body
Practical Application: Immediately applicable frameworks and methodologies

Supportive Qualifications

• Master of Science in International Management (FernUniversität Hagen)
• Diplom-Ingenieur Mechanical Engineering (Hochschule Bremen)
• 20+ years international supply chain leadership experience
• Founder of proven “Coordinating Complexity” methodology

I would be happy to provide my company references on request.

Commitment & Availability

I am fully committed to contributing to ESB’s academic excellence and would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my industry expertise can enhance your students’ learning experience. I am available for flexible scheduling arrangements and can accommodate both in-person and hybrid delivery formats.

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to contribute to ESB Business School’s mission of preparing future business leaders with practical, culturally-intelligent approaches to supply chain management and digital transformation.

Warm regards,

Michael Bertrams
Founder & Managing Director
BERTRAMS |Coordinating Complexity|
Website: bertrams-coordinating-complexity.com
Email: BertramsMichael@aol.com
Phone: +49 173 164 31 06
Address: Michaelisstraße 47, D-26871 Papenburg, Germany