Melita Maars

Global Project Excellence & Transformation

I am a business-driven Senior Project Manager with 21+ years of proven success leading, developing, and transforming operations across both service and manufacturing industries (R&D, Manufacturing Engineering, IT). Currently serving as Senior IT PMO (Project Manager Office) & Process Specialist.

My Value Proposition 

I am the dedicated link that translates complex, innovative, and strategic vision into tangible operational excellence. My strength is offering a balanced blend of financial acumen and technical understanding at both the strategic and operative levels.

Concrete Leadership & Achievements

• Corporate Transformation: Led as Senior Project Manager together with small dedicated team the high-stakes TENERA Project, successfully dividing a major IT department into two new entities (CEVT and GBC).
• Global Programs: Expert in global project coordination, driving Product Projects within the ME community (R&D) and Product Project Excellence, ensuring alignment between teams across Sweden, Europé, America and China.
• Industrialization: Deep experience in industrialization and product preparation for major production sites (e.g., global networks at Volvo GTO, Volvocars, CEVT/ZEEKR), ensuring manufacturing readiness for cars, engines, new transmissions and products.
• Innovation Delivery: Successfully implemented innovative technical initiatives, including the full installation of the state-of-the-art Driving Simulator.

My Leadership Philosophy

My leadership is goal-driven, humble, and non-prestigious, combining clear strategic direction with decisive operational execution. I build and motivate high-performing multinational teams to ensure both short- and long-term targets are met. My professional goal is to expand these skills to connect people, focus on Business Development, and foster a culture where Människan (People), Results, and Quality are paramount.

Summary of Core Skills

• Project Management
• Program Management
• Operational Excellence
• Change Management
• R&D Project Management
• Manufacturing Engineering
• IT Project Management
• Global Programs
• Strategic Leadership
• Product Development

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE & KEY ASSIGNMENTS

Current Role (Zeekr Tech Europe)

• Chairman, Unionen Zeekr Technology Europe (Since 2022): Direct employer/employee relations and governance. Active representative and primary negotiator, responsible for handling labor law, managing discussions on collective agreements, and conducting negotiations with the CEO, SVP, HR and senior management.

DatesTitle / Role & CompanyStrategic Focus Area & Key AchievementsJan 2025 – PresentSenior IT PMO & Process Specialist, Zeekr Tech EuropeProcess Governance & Cross-Functional Alignment.

Responsible for establishing and refining PMO structure and driving the development of policies, guidelines, and routines to strengthen organizational efficiency. Successfully established the IT Re-use setup/Recycle project, creating significant cost savings and embedding 'Green Think' principles. Key role in aligning IT, R&D, and Design efforts. SAP, AGILE, ITIL, and TC Teamcenter confirms my ability to manage both technical and documentation-heavy projects.

2021–2025Senior IT Project Specialist/Service Portfolio Manager, 

Zeekr Tech Europe

Business Change Implementation & Portfolio Management. Managed a complex project portfolio. Successfully completed the TENERA Project (Q1 2022), implementing fundamental changes to organizational workflow to facilitate new ways of working for employees and the business. Managed several different projects with addicted team.

• Decommission Project
• HW and SW Setup
• Service Management Book strategy
• OMADA

2021–2022Strategic Senior Project Manager (IT) – TENERA Project, CEVTStrategic Organizational Split & Personnel Implications.

Served as the Strategic Senior Project Manager responsible for the complex division of the entire IT department into two new legal entities. Managed the structural and personnel-related implications of this major corporate split. Drove project progress and set up the foundational RASIC structure for the new organizations.

2020–2021Senior Project Manager – Driving Simulator Project, CEVTHigh-Value Investment & Dedicated Project Leadership. Managed the implementation of the future-vision Driving Simulator, successfully leading a dedicated team to deliver the complex installation project within a tight timeframe.2016–2021Senior Project Manager (UPL/ME Projects), CEVT & RejlersCross-Border Stakeholder & Conflict Management.

Managed product project coordination on a global level (Sweden/Europe/Asia/America). Required advanced negotiation and coordination skills to align highly diverse technical and cultural stakeholders toward common targets.

2010–2016Product Project Manager (Industrial Program), Volvo GTO PowertrainIndustrial Program Management & Business Development. 

Global role responsible for industrializing products and acting as the vital link between R&D and Manufacturing by preparing the production site for upcoming new programs/products, demonstrating experience in long-term strategic business planning and process preparation. DVP, RnD30, and GDP education

2005–2009Manufacturing Process Engineer, Volvo Car CorporationProcess Development & Efficiency.

Focused on manufacturing process development and optimization, establishing stable processes to improve quality and economic efficiency.

1991–2004Assembler Tester, Volvo Car CorporationFoundational Industry Experience.

Gained deep, hands-on knowledge of core industrial processes and quality control.

Education 2000-2004University in Skövde

Industrial Leadership (160p)

Main direction; Technology and industrial enviroment, within Social Psychology and Leadership - Bachelor of Science with a major in Automation Technology - Degree of master science Social Psychology with a major in Organization and Leadership

1998-2000Volvo Compentence center in cooparation with KOMVUX and University in Skövde (100p) Vocational Education in Industrial Engineering; focus Quality Technology

Focus: Technology and industrial enviroment

1988-1991Västerhöjd school in Skövde

Social science program 3 years (Upper Secondary School)

Focus: Social and behavioural science