Clear direction.
Real results.

Strategy and execution from a single source.

I am a former Bain consultant, Head of International and Commercial Director with a proven track record in building and scaling international businesses.

I combine top-tier strategic expertise with real execution strength — supporting my clients not only in setting the right course, but in navigating it.

Highlights

• Ex-Bain Manager — Ex-Bain Manager — project experience in strategy, M&A and transformation

• Track record in scaling international omnichannel businesses

• Multiple roles building international structures and teams

• Multi-industry experience incl. FMCG, Automotive, Industrials, Insurance and others

• Management studies in Mannheim, Shanghai and Seoul

Good consulting means: listening, understanding, finding the right course together — and then actually navigating it.

If you are looking for a partner who both defines the strategy and makes it happen — I look forward to connecting.

Maximilian Claessens
Strategy & Growth Consultant | Ex-Bain | Munich

Services

My consulting services cover the full spectrum from strategy to execution —
always with the goal of delivering real and measurable results.

Strategy & Growth

From the big picture to the concrete roadmap — I help companies make the right strategic decisions and systematically unlock growth potential.

• Corporate strategy

• Business unit strategy

• Go-to-market strategy

• Growth and scaling strategies

• Operating model & organisation design

International expansion is more than market entry — it is about building sustainable structures that truly scale. I bring proven experience from building and scaling international businesses.

Internationalisation

• Market entry strategy & ops readiness

• International scaling

• Omnichannel expansion (D2C & B2B)

• Channel & distribution strategy

• Building teams, structures & footprint

Commercial Excellence

Commercial success is built on clear fundamentals, the right levers and consistent execution — from strategy to shelf.

• Channel strategy

• Portfolio & assortment strategy

• Pricing & promotion strategy

• Trade marketing & merchandising

• Innovation toolkits & execution playbooks

Transformation & M&A

Change succeeds when structure and people align — I guide companies through complex transformations, from diagnosis to execution.

• Turnaround & value creation

• Restructuring & reorganisation

• Due diligence

• M&A support

• Post-merger integration

Interim Management

Sometimes what's needed is not a recommendation, but someone who takes responsibility. I step into interim positions in strategy, commercial and international — with full accountability and an execution focus.

• Interim management in leadership positions

• Bridging vacancies & management succession

• Building structures and teams

Operational Support & Execution

Targeted, temporary support is often more effective than building additional long-term resources. I bring a versatile operational toolkit and step in wherever capacity or expertise is needed.

• Taking on operational tasks & project management

• Building tools, processes & structures

• Process optimisation & efficiency improvement

• Creating analyses & presentations

Selected Project Examples

A selection of my project work — spanning consulting and operational leadership, across industries and company sizes.

International Expansion & Scaling

Industry: FMCG / Consumer

End-to-end responsibility for the international expansion of a fast-growing consumer brand — from market entry strategy to operational execution incl. team and footprint build across multiple markets.

Strategy 2040

Industry: Automotive

Development of a long-term corporate strategy for a leading trailer manufacturer — including market analysis, positioning, profitability assessment and concrete initiatives for the next 10+ years.

Value Creation Plan

Industry: Industrials

Development of a comprehensive value creation plan following the carve-out of a wind turbine manufacturer — covering strategic direction, growth, restructuring and reorganisation.

Strategic M&A Assessment

Industry: Insurance

Strategic assessment of M&A options for the US unit of a leading German insurance group — including option space, market evaluation, target screening, due diligence and execution strategy.

Interim Director Go-to-Market

Industry: FMCG / Consumer

Building the go-to-market organisation — including definition of market-specific commercial strategy levers and development of playbooks and capabilities for B2B scaling.

International Procurement Synergies

Industry: Automotive

Development of a group-wide procurement synergy programme for direct materials at a leading automotive tier-1 supplier — including measure development and RfQ coordination.

End-to-End Transformation

Industry: Insurance

Development of a company-wide cost transformation strategy for an insurance group — including definition of strategic levers and redesign of functions and setup.

AI Adoption & Process Automation

Industry: FMCG / Consumer

Responsibility for the company-wide introduction and adoption of AI — from defining strategic levers and developing concrete use cases to building sustainable AI capabilities and process automation.

Industries

Cross-industry consulting with particular depth in the consumer and FMCG space.

Consumer Goods & Retail

FMCG, consumer goods, retail — from brand positioning to omnichannel scaling.

eCommerce & D2C

Online shops and marketplaces, modern D2C marketing and international expansion.

Automotive & Mobility

OEMs, tier-1 suppliers, aftersales and mobility strategies.

Industrials & Manufacturing

Manufacturing companies, mechanical engineering and industrial B2B markets.

Financial Services & Insurance

Insurance, financial services and regulated corporate structures.

Energy & Utilities

Energy sector, renewables and utility companies.

Private Equity

PE funds and portfolio companies — from due diligence to value creation.

Further industries

My methodology is broadly applicable across industries — I welcome your enquiry.

Why Nordstern Consulting?

Nordstern Consulting stands for consulting that delivers — with the standards of a top-tier firm and the execution strength of first-hand experience.

Senior-only —
no intermediaries

You work directly with me — no junior team handling your topics, no overhead reflected in your project costs. Every mandate receives full attention and seniority.

Strategy and execution from a single source

I don't just develop concepts — I implement them. With experience on both sides: as a strategy consultant at Bain and as an operational leader with full P&L responsibility.

At eye level with SMEs

I understand the reality of mid-sized companies: fast decisions, limited resources, high execution pressure. My consulting is pragmatic, direct and without unnecessary overhead — focused on what really matters.

My work is measured by results — not slides. I bring a proven track record from scaling international businesses and numerous consulting projects — and deliver advice I personally stand behind.

Proven results

Get in touch

You have a specific project, a strategic challenge — or simply want to talk?
I look forward to the conversation.

Direct contact:

info@nordsternconsulting.de