Babenhausen, Hesse, Germany
Experienced Senior Manager specializing in Purchasing, Procurement, Operations, Quality, and Supply Chain Management across diverse industries, notably automotive and apparel & fashion. Currently, I serve as Head of Purchasing (Vice President) for the BA UX at Continental in Babenhausen. In this global role, I lead a team of over 100 FTE and manage a purchasing volume exceeding €2.5 billion. I am driving innovation and efficiency through the introduction of RPA/AI solutions and global sourcing strategies, including nearshoring. My focus is on performance measurement and efficiency to optimize our procurement processes. Previously, as Director PMO at forteq and leader of the Business Unit Automotive at MERAXIS, I managed a P&L portfolio of €600 million and a global purchasing volume of €1 billion. My initiatives in restructuring, reorganization, and technological implementation have significantly improved operational efficiency and financial performance. In addition, I led global projects in operational excellence and lean manufacturing. I have a strong background in advanced product quality planning (APQP), supplier quality management, and developing global strategic sourcing strategies. My commitment to sustainable practices and adherence to DIN ISO standards has driven CO2 emissions reduction initiatives. Academically, I hold a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Staffordshire University and an MBA in Management and Business Development from Brenau University. I have also authored a book on purchasing performance measurement, serving as a resource for optimizing procurement strategies. I am dedicated to driving excellence, leveraging advanced technologies, and fostering strong supplier partnerships to ensure sustained success and industry leadership. Key Achievements: Operational Efficiency and Financial Performance: Managed a P&L portfolio of €600 million and a global purchasing volume of €1 billion. Led restructuring and reorganization initiatives that significantly improved operational efficiency. Technological Implementation: Implemented AI and ERP systems to streamline operations and drive business growth. Spearheaded the introduction of RPA/AI to enhance procurement processes. Strategic Sourcing and Supplier Management: Developed global strategic sourcing strategies. Led and closed complex global negotiations. Enhanced supplier quality management and advanced product quality planning (APQP). Sustainability Initiatives: Fostered sustainable practices and drove CO2 emissions reduction initiatives. Ensured adherence to DIN ISO standards.
My key tasks as Head of Purchasing & SQM (Vice President) at the Business Area User Experience (BA UX) are: Strategic Sourcing and Supplier Management: Developing and executing global sourcing strategies, including nearshoring, to ensure a robust and continuous supply chain. Building strong relationships with suppliers to secure high-quality materials and services at competitive prices. Purchasing Volume of approx. 2’5 bn€ and approx. 100 FTEs in Category Management, SQM, Advanced Purchasing, Total Cost Management & Purchasing Excellence Cost Management: Implementing cost-saving initiatives and negotiating contracts to optimize purchasing budgets while maintaining quality and efficiency. Innovation and Technology Integration: Introducing and leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as RPA and AI to streamline procurement processes, enhance decision-making, and improve overall efficiency. Cross-Functional Collaboration: Working closely with engineering, manufacturing, and quality teams to ensure seamless integration of purchasing strategies with overall business objectives. Risk Management: Identifying and mitigating supply chain risks to ensure continuity and reliability in procurement operations. Performance Measurement: Focusing on measuring performance and efficiency to drive continuous improvement in purchasing activities and supply chain management. Sustainability Initiatives: Promoting sustainable procurement practices and aligning with Aumovio’s commitment to environmental and social responsibility.
As a seasoned professional in project management and operations, I specialize in steering critical projects across various domains within our organization. My key responsibilities include: Strategic Project Management: Leading initiatives ranging from Inventory Management Optimization and Contract Engineering to Maintenance, Capex, and enhancing the Utilization of our Machine Park. I excel in driving projects from conception to implementation, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and delivering measurable results. Business Development Support: Actively participating in Business Development initiatives to explore and capitalize on innovative applications, driving growth opportunities for the company. I leverage my expertise to identify market trends, assess opportunities, and develop strategies to expand our business footprint. Task Force Leadership: Proactively setting up task forces when needed to address critical challenges or capitalize on emerging opportunities. I assemble cross-functional teams, define clear objectives, and provide strategic direction to drive collaborative efforts towards successful outcomes. Contract Engineering and APQP Process Management: Overseeing the landscape of contract engineering projects and managing the Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) process to ensure continuous improvement and adherence to quality standards. I leverage my expertise to streamline processes, enhance efficiency, and drive excellence in project execution. My background encompasses a blend of technical proficiency, strategic thinking, and leadership acumen, enabling me to drive impactful projects and contribute to the overall success of the organization. I thrive in dynamic environments, where innovation and collaboration are paramount, and I am committed to delivering value through excellence in project management and operational leadership.
Driving the automotive business of MERAXIS forward with a strategic focus on optimizing processes, enhancing organizational structure, ensuring transparent reporting, leveraging advanced systems, and delivering strong financial performance. Key priorities include: Processes Optimization: Championing the refinement of rules, procedures, frameworks, and terms to drive operational efficiency and effectiveness. Structural Enhancement: Leading initiatives to optimize the organizational setup, redefine roles and functions, and drive restructuring and transformation efforts for sustainable growth. Transparent Reporting & Financial Excellence: Spearheading efforts to track performance, enhance transparency, establish key performance indicators (KPIs), optimize reporting mechanisms, and ensure robust financial management, including profit and loss (P&L) accountability. Systems Advancement: Overseeing the evolution of the IT/IS landscape and infrastructure, driving the adoption of Robotic Process Automation (RPA) and Artificial Intelligence (AI), and strengthening risk management practices. Financial Leadership: Directly responsible for managing a profit and loss portfolio of approximately €550 million and overseeing a purchasing volume of approximately €1 billion. Strategic Purchasing Leadership: Leading and steering purchasing activities for REHAU Automotive, encompassing project and strategic purchasing, supplier quality management, and supply chain optimization. My expertise spans across purchasing, procurement, supply chain management, and supplier quality management, with a proven track record in driving transformational initiatives, optimizing performance, and delivering financial results. Proficient in implementing RPA and AI solutions, I am committed to driving business development, leveraging Six Sigma and Lean Management principles, and driving sales and revenue growth.
Global lead of the transformation project Material (purchasing, procurement, supplier quality & supply chain) for the automotive division of REHAU. Focus on processes, structure and organizational set-up. Key factors analysis of supply chain (freight, stock levels, delivery times, contracts, ...), indirect materials such as power, IT/IS, consulting, service levels, ... capital expenditure and direct production materials (plastics, resins, chemicals, metal components, electronics, sensors & actuators, ...). Initiation of supplier suggestions program, advanced negotiation concepts and cost value analysis.
Leading globally the purchasing, supply chain management and sourcing activities on corporate level. Transformation of the supply chain organization to improve global purchasing performance and additional savings. - leading the global purchasing, sourcing, corporate supply chain and logistic activities - responsible of the total spend (direct, indirect, invest) - restructuring of the purchasing and logistics organization - set-up of purchasing and logistics KPIs measurement systematic in cooperation with Corporate Finance - drive make-or-buy - cash flow optimization through strong spend and inventory management - disciplinary and functional lead the global purchasing, logistics and SCM staff Success Story: Achievement of significant savings and cost avoidance in 2017 and 2018. Mainly through Close-the-Gap initiatives, secure the budget measures, Cost-Value-Analysis and VA/VE, Design-to-Cost in close cooperation with engineering; key success factor is regular follow-ups on measures. Successful transformation of the purchasing department by implementing and introducing a global purchasing organization with split into Project Purchasing, Commodity Management and Local Purchasing including global guide-lines, standards and clear defined roles of each function and Cost Value Analysis Team as well as Purchasing Controlling. Leading the corporate lean administration project “VERIfficiency” through applying “Makigami” method to identify inefficient processes. Driving the corporate wide initiative BBC sourcing. Lead several Cash Flow Optimization Projects in cooperation with Finance & Controlling. Successful restructuring of the global logistic functions into corporate and plant roles&functions, implementing of global logistic standards, global logistics manual, calculation scheme, KPIs, etc.