President & CFO | ➡️ International Executive Leadership ➡️ Transforming global companies into market leaders with strategic financial leadership and international business expertise.
I am a dynamic President and CFO with over 20 years of global executive leadership in diverse sectors spanning multiple countries. As a financial (CPA, CGMA), legal (LL.M., LL.B.), human resources (SPHR), and management (Dr./DBA,MBA) expert, I've successfully transitioned from an international CFO to the President & CFO of a leading global machine manufacturing organization. A dual citizen (US/Germany) with bilingual fluency in English and German, I spearhead operations in Germany and the US, overseeing markets in Germany, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, and the US. Fueled by my unwavering commitment to growth and excellence, my colleagues view me as a progressive, driven, and grounded business leader with a knack for delivering timely and budget-friendly solutions that drive profitability and bottom-line growth. In my dual capacity as President and CFO, I have a proven track record of increasing sales and net income through innovative initiatives and implementing best practices. My leadership style fosters a demanding yet family-values-driven work environment, resulting in reduced talent turnover, organizational growth, and the establishment of the US subsidiary as one of the Group's most successful entities. With an installed base of over $1B in North America, I am entrusted with the overall responsibility for one of our largest markets in the Group. What sets me apart is my unparalleled focus on both financial leadership (CFO) and executive management (President), backed by a team of exceptional professionals who make our success possible.
Dr. Bernd Deffland

Welcome

Below you find some details about my professional past:

Experience

President & CFO

Dieffenbacher USA

Jan 2017 – Present

One of the world’s leading manufacturers of complete production plants for the wood products industry and the composites industry.

➡ Overall responsibility over Dieffenbacher US and subsidiaries with market accountability for U.S., Canada, and Mexico (installed base of > $1B)

➡ Responsibly includes oversight over Sales, Purchasing, IT, HR, Administration, Finance, Marketing, and Logistics

➡ Member of the Global Management Team with direct report to the Board of Directors

➡ Review and evaluate new business initiatives, such as opening new operations, asset acquisition, business acquisition, and working capital improvements.

➡ Demonstrate expertise in leading all aspects of business planning, targeted financial performance, and business value enhancement.

➡ Employ control and authorization over finance, controlling, budgeting, accounting, payroll, and reporting functions for NA operations

➡ Spearhead the strategic planning process with accountability for financial forecasting, operating budgets, and expense control, driving cost optimization.

➡ Study and analyze organizational performance against both the annual budget and company’s long- term strategy.

➡ Ideate and launch high-impact initiatives, realizing an increase in profitability by +20%

➡ Heighten customer response time from 60% to 100% within 24 hours.

➡ Optimize logistics processes for same-day shipping from 60% to 100%.

➡ Generate and deliver relevant management information and reports to board members, escalating concerns where appropriate.

➡ Responsible for growth and increased efficiency through Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A)

➡ Reducing risk by applying global sourcing and foreign exchange strategies

Executive Vice President & CFO

Dieffenbacher

Sep 2016 – Present (7 years 1 month) DIEFFENBACHER USA

One of the world’s leading manufacturers of complete production plants for the wood products industry and the composites industry.

➡ Overall responsibility over Dieffenbacher US and subsidiaries with market accountability for U.S., Canada, and Mexico (installed base of > $1B)

➡ Responsibly includes oversight over Sales, Purchasing, IT, HR, Administration, Finance, Marketing, and Logistics

➡ Member of the Global Management Team with direct report to the Board of Directors

➡ Review and evaluate new business initiatives, such as opening new operations, asset acquisition, business acquisition, and working capital improvements.

➡ Demonstrate expertise in leading all aspects of business planning, targeted financial performance, and business value enhancement.

➡ Employ control and authorization over finance, controlling, budgeting, accounting, payroll, and reporting functions for NA operations

➡ Spearhead the strategic planning process with accountability for financial forecasting, operating budgets, and expense control, driving cost optimization.

➡ Study and analyze organizational performance against both the annual budget and company’s long- term strategy.

➡ Ideate and launch high-impact initiatives, realizing an increase in profitability by +20%

➡ Heighten customer response time from 60% to 100% within 24 hours.

➡ Optimize logistics processes for same-day shipping from 60% to 100%.

➡ Generate and deliver relevant management information and reports to board members, escalating concerns where appropriate.

Chief Financial Officer – Americas

DöhlerGroup

Oct 2015 – Sep 2016 (1 year)

Döhler is a global producer, marketer and provider of technology-driven natural ingredients, ingredient systems and integrated solutions for the food and beverage industry.

  • Administered all financial operations across North, Middle and South America with direct reporting line to Global CFO in Germany.
  • Innovated the division’s overarching strategic framework while governing financial daily activities, including treasury, accounting, accounts receivables, purchasing, and budgeting.
  • Delivered keen recommendations, guidance, and knowledge to the leadership team, department management, and staff.
  • Presided over an extensive company restructuring with the goa of accelerating business growth.
  • Developed business cases which heightened productivities by investing 7M EUR in an expanded production line.
  • Established S&OP processes, ultimately decreasing the process period from 15 to 3 days.
  • Provided tactical leadership throughout a major business acquisition and performed corresponding financial scenario analysis, understanding benefits and cash requirements.
  • Formulated accurate and timely operating and capital budgets, financial analysis and trends, financial statements, and reports.
  • Supported strategic business development from the financial perspective, including mergers and acquisitions.

 Vice President of Finance

Dieffenbacher

Dec 2014 – Oct 2015 (11 months)

  • Charted new directions in financial leadership to achieve the company’s profitability goals and strategic priorities.
  • Aligned objectives with administration in the preparation, analysis, and evaluation of fiscal activities, purchasing, accounting, payroll, operating budgets, and investments.
  • Facilitated all facets of budgeting, forecasting, tracking, and setting and enforcing control processes and systems.
  • Ensured completion of monthly and annual financial statement closing processes for multiple international companies in both manufacturing and service sectors.

Controller

Dieffenbacher

Feb 2014 – Oct 2015 (1 year 9 months)

  • Accountable for formulating the annual budget, controlling expenses, and interpreting main actuals deviations from forecasts.
  • Integrated and monitored controls and procedures, prepared accurate and prompt reports and analysis, and provided advice and input on financial decisions.

Controller / CFO

MAGE SOLAR America, Inc. and subsidiaries & MAGE SOLAR Holding, Inc. and subsidiaries

Mar 2013 – Jan 2014 (11 months)

MAGE SOLAR USA is a solar manufacturing company headquartered in Dublin, Georgia. It specializes in complete solar systems and provides high-quality photovoltaic modules, intelligent mounting systems and high-performance brand inverters.

  • Headed all daily activities regarding budgets, audits, taxes, financial reporting, debt management, accounting, treasury, and payroll services.
  • Governed month-end closing processes and supervised the preparation of monthly financial statements.
  • Reviewed P&L and balance sheets as well as provided a periodical analytical review.
  • Created detailed cash flow projections and reporting comprised of minimum cash threshold to meet operating needs.

CPA – Senior Associate, Senior Accounting Manager, LL.M.

Rödl & Partner USA

May 2008 – Feb 2013 (4 years 10 months)

Rödl & Partner is a multi-disciplinary professional services firm, which provides audit, accounting, tax and business consulting services for international businesses.

In charge of the Business Process outsourcing, external accounting and controlling. Oversaw the monthly and annual financial statement closing process of multiple international companies.

✦Responsibilities:

➜Main contact for the US Company and the German Parent regarding US vs. German accounting, Sales Tax Regulations, taxable ramifications.

➜Reviewed and prepared monthly and annual financial statements for various international manufacturing clients.

➜Mentored, supervised and developed a direct team of six, managing work allocation, charge of the BPO (Business Process Outsourcing, external accounting and controlling) Department of the Greenville, SC, office of Rödl & Partner.

Prokurist / CFO

Ruhrdeich-Holding GmbH

Jun 2004 – Mar 2008 (3 years 10 months)

Ruhrdeich Holding GmbH owned multiple entities and is one of the largest car dealerships in Germany. Total revenue exceeded EURO 100M, > 200 employees and multiple locations / subsidiaries.

Head of finance, tax and accounting departments for the Ruhrdeich Holding Group. Oversaw financial operations providing accountability and cost-effective management, while ensuring accurate cash forecasting.

✦Responsibilities:

➜Reviewed and approved of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reporting materials and metrics for the CEO.

➜Monitored financial performance and initiate corrective actions as needed to minimize the impact of variances.

➜Managed cash flow and forecasting. Optimized the handling of banking relationships and initiated appropriate strategies to enhance cash position.

➜Mentored and developed a direct team of five, managing work allocation, training, problem resolution, performance evaluation, and the building of an effective team dynamic.

CFO – Leiter Steuern, Finanz & Rechnungswesen

Jo. C. Boecker GmbH & Co. KG

Jul 2002 – May 2004 (1 year 11 months)

Jo. C. Boecker GmbH was one of the leading textile retail companies in Germany.

Responsible for driving financial performance to achieve Revenue and EBITDA targets through organic growth and other strategic initiatives.

✦Responsibilities:

➜Supervised team performing financial reporting, accounting, billing, collections and payroll.

➜Analysed impacts, understanding key drivers of variations.

➜Prepared financial statements, business activity reports, forecasts, and reports.

✦Main Initiatives/Achievements:

➜Developed a reliable cash flow projection process and reporting mechanism that included minimum cash threshold to meet operating needs. Optimized the handling of banking relationships and initiated appropriate strategies to enhance cash positions.

Education

Columbia Southern University

Doctor’s Degree, Business Administration and Management, General

Mar 2020 – Aug 2023

Universität des Saarlandes

Master of Laws – LLM, International Business

2006 – 2008

FOM University of Applied Sciences for Economics and Management

Master of Business Administration – MBA

2003 – 2005

FOM University of Applied Sciences for Economics and Management Graduate Commercial Lawyer (Dipl-Wirtschaftsjurist) | Bachelor of Commercial Economics, Business Law and Business Administration

2000 – 2003

Licenses & Certifications

Certified Public Accountant

Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) – HRCI

Skills

Global Leadership • Organizational Leadership • Financial Reporting • Team Leadership • Internal Controls • US GAAP • Finance • Managerial Finance • Forecasting • GAAP