Sarah Kern

Business & Finance Leader | Strategic Steering, Leadership & Transformation | ex-Amazon

Freiburg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany

About

I enjoy translating complex business situations into clear priorities, meaningful financial insights, and actionable decisions. With 12+ years of experience across finance, strategy, account management, and leadership, I have built my career at the intersection of business and people. From international sales controlling and e-commerce at Amazon to commercial leadership and strategic finance roles, I have always been most energized by helping organizations make better decisions, align stakeholders, and drive meaningful change. My strengths lie in business steering, leadership, communication, and turning complexity into clarity.

Experience

  • Strategic Finance Professional at badenIT GmbH
    Jun 2025 - Present · 1 yr 1 mo

  • providata GmbH (Freiburg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany)
    • Head of Finance/Controlling & HR (Leitung Kaufmännisches Management)
      Nov 2023 - May 2025 · 1 yr 7 mos

      Leading a team of >10 colleagues being in charge of financial and strategic controlling, invoicing and financial services, special C-level projects, investment and subsidiary management as well as HR services such as recruitment for the Freiburg offices, organizational and personnel development of providata. Holding Prokura during that time.

    • Head of Finance & Controlling (Leitung Kaufmännisches Management)
      Jan 2021 - Oct 2023 · 2 yrs 10 mos

      E-MAKS GmbH & Co. KG and e.dat GmbH merged to the newly founded providata GmbH. Leading a team of seven colleagues being in charge of financial and strategic controlling, invoicing and financial services, special C-level projects, investment and subsidiary management.

  • Amazon (4 yrs 2 mos)
    • Project Manager Brand Development
      Jan 2020 - Dec 2020 · 1 yr

      Leading a team of 3 Brand Development Managers to drive specific selection of highly demanded brands on amazon in Europe.

    • Strategic Key Accounts & Project Manager - Amazon Fashion
      Nov 2018 - Jun 2020 · 1 yr 8 mos

      Cooperating with the Top DE Amazon Fashion Merchants (Partner Management) and driving various EU and global initiatives alongside, including all programs: Selling on Amazon, Fulfillment by Amazon, Seller Fulfilled Prime, PanEU, Sponsored Products, Deals, etc.

    • Business Development and (Key) Accounts Manager - Amazon Fashion Europe
      Nov 2016 - Oct 2018 · 2 yrs

      Business development, recruiting and onboarding of top holdout and well-known brands as well as new key accounts for the Amazon Fashion marketplace. Coordination and execution of projects to achieve business development plan targets. Implementation of internal initiatives to improve the team’s performance and seller’s experience alike.

  • Testo SE & Co. KGaA (5 yrs 1 mo)
    • Country Advisor Western Europe & USA
      Nov 2014 - Oct 2016 · 2 yrs

      Supporting the subsidiaries of Testo in Spain, France, Italy and the USA: “Be the voice” of each supported subsidiary at the headquarters and represent it in regard to Sales, Marketing, and Product Development. Developing strategies and targets in close collaboration with internal partners who aspire an implementation of projects and measures within the subsidiaries. Design of the international Distribution Management. Multiplication of best practice cases across countries and internal international communication. Continuous further development of sales processes.

    • Bachelor Studies (Dual System) in International Business
      Oct 2011 - Oct 2014 · 3 yrs 1 mo

      Experiences in international HR management, market research, international marketing, quality services, and international sales.

    • International Sales Management Assistant @ Testo Australia
      Jul 2013 - Nov 2013 · 5 mos

      Sales and assistance for general management.