Karsten K.

Chief Procurement Officer at Trench Group

Germany

About

Procurement and supply chain executive with 25+ years of experience leading global transformations across industrial, energy, and pharmaceutical sectors. Proven track record in post-merger integration, large-scale cost optimisation, and building high-performing global organisations. Experienced in private equity environments, driving value creation, operational efficiency, and deal readiness.

Experience

  • Chief Procurement Officer at Trench Group
    May 2025 - Present · 1 yr 2 mos

    Triton portfolio company. Heading Trench global procurement and supply chain.

  • Chief Procurement Officer at HH2E
    May 2023 - Apr 2025 · 2 yrs

    Foresight and HydrogenOne portfolio company. Developing green hydrogen plants.

  • SVP, Global Head of Procurement, Capability Centres & Strategy at Novartis
    Jan 2020 - May 2023 · 3 yrs 5 mos

    Transformation of Novartis’ global procurement service center capabilities.

  • Takeda (On-site)
    • VP, Global Head of Procurement
      Jan 2017 - Dec 2019 · 3 yrs

      Global lead across 70+ markets to integrate and transform procurement and its operations and systems.

    • EMEA Head of Procurement
      Aug 2015 - Dec 2016 · 1 yr 5 mos

      Regional procurement head, c. 1Bn USD spend.

  • Vodafone (Full-time · 10 yrs 7 mos)
    • Member of the Board Vodafone Procurement Company
      Jan 2013 - Jul 2015 · 2 yrs 7 mos

      Head of Global Supply Chain Operations at Vodafone

    • Head of Global Operations, Vodafone Procurement Company
      Mar 2008 - Jul 2015 · 7 yrs 5 mos

      Start-up and launch of the Vodafone Procurement Company in Luxembourg to manage Vodafone's global supply chain from Luxembourg.

    • Technology Executive, Investment Planning Emerging Markets
      Sep 2006 - Feb 2008 · 1 yr 6 mos

      Regional investment planning lead. Budget 2Bn EUR.