Bastian Berendes

Logistics & Supply Chain Strategy | 20+ Years in Air Freight, Rail & Multimodal Operations | Building Scalable Products for Complex Cross-Border Networks

Greater Munich Metropolitan Area

About

I've spent over two decades in international logistics — from hands-on air freight operations to leading teams, building cross-border transport products, and navigating the operational realities of complex supply chains. My background spans air freight forwarding (export, import, time-critical, DGR), rail-based corridor development including the Middle Corridor, and multimodal network design. I've led operational teams, managed 3PL partnerships, and developed customer-facing logistics products from concept through delivery. What drives me is the intersection of operational depth and strategic clarity — understanding how transport networks actually work, where they break, and how to build services that hold up under pressure. Based in Munich. Always interested in conversations about logistics, supply chain resilience, and how the industry is evolving.

Experience

  • Director Customer Service & Product Development at TE Germany GmbH
    May 2022 - Present · 4 yrs 3 mos

    In this role, I held overall responsibility for customer-facing operations and the development of international logistics products within long-distance and cross-border transport networks. My work focused on ensuring stable operational delivery while further developing services, products and processes in close alignment with customer requirements and operational realities. A key part of my responsibility was the structured development and refinement of logistics products, translating operational capabilities, infrastructure constraints and market requirements into scalable service offerings. This included close involvement in long-distance rail-based solutions, such as the Middle Corridor, where I worked on aligning operational feasibility, transit time expectations and customer-facing product definitions. I worked closely with internal teams and partners across regions, combining operational oversight with leadership responsibility and contributing to the continuous improvement of logistics solutions, performance frameworks and customer delivery models.

  • Agility (Metropolregion München)
    • Manager Air Freight
      May 2015 - Apr 2022 · 7 yrs

      I was responsible for the full operational and leadership management of international air freight import and export operations within a global 3PL environment. My scope covered end-to-end air freight execution, including time-critical, high-value and security-sensitive shipments across international trade lanes. The role involved close coordination with airlines, ground handling agents, customs authorities and internal stakeholders to ensure compliant, reliable and stable operations under demanding operational and regulatory conditions.

    • Team Leader Air Freight Export
      Jul 2011 - Apr 2015 · 3 yrs 10 mos

      As Teamleader Air Export, I was responsible for coordinating daily air export operations while leading and supporting a small operational team. The role combined hands-on execution with first-line leadership responsibility, ensuring service quality, compliance and stable operational processes in a fast-paced export environment.

  • Agility (Metropolregion Nürnberg)
    • Coordinator Air Freight Export
      Jul 2006 - Aug 2009 · 3 yrs 2 mos

    • Speditionskaufmann
      Sep 2003 - Jul 2006 · 2 yrs 11 mos