Thomas Kirchlinde

About

Experience: Automotive Systems, Electronics, Purchasing, SQM, Sales, Program/Project Management, Manufacturing, International delegation (3,5 years located in the US) Leading international / multicultural teams Strong connections into Semiconductor Industry

Experience

• Trainer & Consultant at TK T&C
  Feb 2026 - Present · 5 mos

  Leveraging more than three decades of experience in demanding business negotiations, I offer specialized training and consultancy based on FBI-methodology as well as strategic game theory based negotiation design.

• BSH Home Appliances Group (Full-time · 9 yrs 9 mos)
  • Head of Negotiation Excellence Purchasing
    Apr 2025 - Present · 1 yr 3 mos

  • Director Purchasing Electronics
    Oct 2016 - Apr 2025 · 8 yrs 7 mos

• Continental (11 yrs)
  • Head of Purchasing BU Body & Security
    Aug 2013 - Sep 2016 · 3 yrs 2 mos

    50+ employees, 1,6 B€ PVO

  • Director Purchasing, Executive
    Oct 2007 - Jul 2013 · 5 yrs 10 mos

    Electronics Purchasing ASM ww Location Regensburg/Germany PVO 750 Mio €

  • Director Purchasing & SQM
    Oct 2005 - Sep 2007 · 2 yrs

    Purchasing & SQM Location Huntsville, AL/USA PVO 650 Mio $

• Segment Leader, Focus Factory Manager at Director Segment & Focus Factory Manager
  Jun 2004 - Oct 2005 · 1 yr 5 mos

  Manufacturing & R&D Location Huntsville, AL/USA 250 Mio $ Revenue 400 employees

• Director Customer Segment at Siemens VDO Automotive
  Oct 1999 - May 2004 · 4 yrs 8 mos

  R&D, Sales, Project Management, Program Management Location Regensburg/Germany Revenue: 115 Mio € In addition: Member of the Due Dilligence Team of Huntsville Electronics from 06/2003 to 05/2004; Location Auburn Hills, Mi/USA