Beijing, China
I build bridges between German engineering precision and Chinese market dynamics — currently as the strategic interface between Mercedes-Benz AG global procurement and Beijing Benz Automotive Co. (BBAC), driving supplier localization across machinery & equipment commodities in the Chinese market. My work sits at the intersection of commercial performance and cross-cultural leadership: qualifying new Chinese suppliers for global standards, navigating dual-principal governance across a German OEM and a Chinese JV, and translating between two fundamentally different ways of making decisions. That is not a skill you acquire in a workshop — it comes from being present, doing the work, and building trust on both sides over time. Before Beijing, I led Conveyor Technology purchasing at Mercedes-Benz AG in Sindelfingen — a ~€300M annual commodity — where I delivered consistent savings outperformance (>30% on new model launches, >11% YoY despite adverse markets) and originated the “Partnering” award model, the first new award type in M&E purchasing at MBAG. My foundation: International Engineering degree with a China focus, semester abroad in Shanghai, 3.5+ years of Mandarin, and an MBA. I have been working in the Sino-German business space for over a decade — first analytically, now operationally, from Beijing. I am building a long-term career in China and the broader Sino-German executive space — within or beyond automotive. If you work at the intersection of German and Chinese business, I would be glad to connect.
Strategic interface between Mercedes-Benz AG global procurement (IPS/MP) and Beijing Benz Automotive Co. (BBAC) local purchasing. Leading supplier localization across key M&E commodities — qualifying Chinese-market suppliers to global standards, reducing import dependency, and driving cost competitiveness in the Chinese production environment. Operating in a dual-principal structure across German OEM governance and Chinese JV decision-making.
Led all Mercedes-Benz AG awards for Conveyor Technology globally (~€300M annual volume). Delivered >11% YoY savings in 2022 despite adverse market conditions and >30% savings on new model launches. Originated the “Partnering” award model — the first new award type in M&E purchasing at MBAG — enabling faster execution and earlier supplier commitment. Reversed declining supplier participation through a new qualification process. Led complete overhaul of the Siemens AG framework agreement (2022–2023).
Global purchasing of sealing components and systems. International market observation, contract and price negotiations, award recommendations.
Cost calculations and offer validation for paint shop, conveyor technology, body shop and assembly — projects across USA, China, and South Africa. Developed cross-technology benchmark catalog. Supported purchasing negotiations at technical pre-award stage. (incl. placement via Hays Temp GmbH 2013–2014 and Bachelor thesis: paint shop cost estimation planning tool for BMW AG)