Greater Hamburg Area
Senior FMCG Buying and Private Label Leader with 14+ years of experience across Lidl UK and EDEKA Germany. I have built my career developing, sourcing and growing private label food categories, combining commercial strategy, category management and supplier partnerships to deliver profitable growth in highly competitive retail environments. Currently, as a Buying Manager at EDEKA, I lead the strategic direction for part of the flagship private label dairy and vegetable spreadable fats category. My responsibilities include category strategy, product innovation, supplier management, commercial negotiations, and sustainability integration. I work closely with cross-functional teams to translate consumer insights and market trends into successful products and category growth. Previously, at Lidl UK, I managed multi-million-pound frozen and ambient private label categories, gaining extensive experience in discount retail, global sourcing, cost optimization, and end-to-end product development. Working within one of Europe’s most successful discount models provided a strong foundation in assortment management, pricing strategy, operational simplicity, and delivering value to consumers while maintaining profitability. Throughout my career, I have developed expertise in private label development, FMCG buying, category management, strategic sourcing, supplier partnerships, and supply chain optimization. My background combines a German vocational qualification in Logistics Management with a UK BA in International Business, enabling me to connect procurement strategy, commercial decision-making, and supply chain efficiency to optimize business performance. My international experience includes more than five years living and working in London, as well as six months in Wuhan, China, during a family sabbatical. Combined with strong family ties to China, this has fostered a lasting personal and professional interest in the evolution of modern retail, private label, and discount formats in the Chinese market. I am passionate about building strong private label brands, developing high-performing categories, and creating long-term value through customer-focused and data-driven commercial strategies. Fluent in English and German, I am actively learning Mandarin to further strengthen my ability to collaborate effectively in international and China-focused business environments.
Business Unit Fresh Since 08/2020 Dairy products (mainly milk) and Desserts National and international suppliers -Fresh and UHT milk -Condensed milk -Cream (sour cream, crème fraîche,..) -National and international chilled desserts -Animal welfare -Climate neutral products and projects 01/2018-07/2020 Cheese Private label cheese -Sliced Cheese -Organic cheese -Cream cheese -Cheese spreads -Grated cheese 02/2016 - 01/2018 Frozen meat / poultry / game (convenience and raw) private label and B&C (tertiary) brands -Pork -Beef -Chicken -Turkey -Duck -Goose -Game - deer, wild boar, kangaroo, ostrich,... Until 01/2016 Frozen Bread and Cakes Private label Geschäftsbereich Frische Seit 08/2020 Mopro Weiße Linie Eigenmarken -Milch -Sahne -internationale und nationale Desserts -Tierwohl -Klimaneutrale Projekte Bis 07/2020 Mopro Gelbe Linie Käse Eigenmarken 01/2018 TK Fleisch / Geflügel / Wild (Roh und Convenience) Eigen- und Industriemarken -Schwein -Rind -Hähnchen -Pute -Ente -Gans -Wild - Hirsch, Wildschwein, Känguru, Strauß,... Bis 01/2016 Warenbereich TK Brot / Backwaren Eigenmarke
Own Label Buyer -Sourcing of private label products from UK and Global Suppliers for the UK market (As well as Ireland and the rest of Europe) -Multimillion pound turnover responsibility in Frozen and Ambient Ranges -Direct responsibility for sourcing and negotiations as well as 360 product development: quality, packaging, advertising and pricing -Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) -Develop and implement strategies to increase turnover through development of existing ranges, sourcing of new products and optimization of profit -Communication with merchandising, logistics, sales, quality assurance, finance, promotional and advertising department
Recruitment of IT professionals in SAP, Oracle and BI Technologies for K2 Global Strategic Accounts (focus on the DACH Market). Project based development and implementation of new strategies and templates for the European Strategic Accounts Team. As central point of Information, reporting KPI's to the European Director and training of new starters. Review of clients to adapt the strategic approach. Dealing with Off-shore resources in Asia. Support of the global salesforce.com roll out as SuperUser: Testing (UAT), go-live, post go-live and training of trainers and end users. Helping with bug fixing, Business Process review and improvements. European (Global) support of end users in regards of the new salesforce.com system.
Project work: optimising logistics processes for direct deliveries •Cost analysis •Additional handling and processes •Framework for the realisation This project work was part of my final degree at the Deutschen Außenhandels- und Verkehrs- Akademie. We have been able to help the company to realise major savings
Sales Associate and Personal assistant of sales manager •Customer service for the key account customers and Customer Relationship Management •Back office for branch manager •Tele sales •Sales data analysis •Proposal writing