Nikolaus Kirner Email & Phone Number

Walldorf, Bw, De

Responsibility for SAPs procurement strategy and organization

Neu-Isenburg, De

Neu-Isenburg, Hessen, De

Gb

Initially hired as the Group Procurement Director to harvest synergies and professionalise the indirect function, before commencing the process of transforming procurement from a tactical siloed function towards a powerful global strategic value contributor rolling out a complete new Procurement Operating Model across all categories. Responsibility for procurement and supply chain strategy, organization and technology. Member of the Group Airlines Board and Chairman of the Group Hotel Sourcing Board.Part of the Procurement Power List 2018 from CIPS and Supply Management Awarded as one of 30 most influential people in Procurement in the UK and Europe -Introduction of a group wide category management organisation which centralised and professionalised key categories like Hotels, Maintenance, Airport Relations, Fuel, Inflight Product, 3rd party Airlines, Marketing, IT-Member of the CEO-led transformation team in 2012 that delivered a huge turnaround with a EBIT improvement of 48%, a net debt decrease of 47%, and a share price increase of >900% within 12 months.-Contributed to a reengineering program providing >GBP80M cost-out and GDP40M working capital improvement in 24 months. Also led a 30% corporate centre cost-out programme-Introduced a Thomas Cook procurement academy and talent programme, lifted procurement into board level positions within the business units,

Gb

I lead a key transformation program, delivering a new Group Operating Model, restructuring the cost base and reorganizing for growth. I direct 4 strategic pillars and 10 programmes within the program to deliver a three digit M EBIT improvement. Member of the Group Management Council.Normalized the cost base and rationalized staff to increase gross profit. Streamlined company with improved business processes across all business lines.Integrated back office functions creating a regional Shared Service Centre and restructured European operations delivering significant cost benefits.Consolidate the core property portfolio, reducing represented hotels 70%, and devised a low cost outsourced production model. .Led cultural change programs improving client engagement with a CRM implementation across the enterprise and set up JV’s across Asia to expand in- and outbound travel numbers.

I contributed at Board level with five operating subsidiaries in Hong Kong, Belgium, Switzerland and Germany spanning the freight, brokerage, and fashion-design and wholesale sectors. I oversaw several hundred staff and a significant multi-billion Euro sourcing spend.Reduced overheads 32%, facilitated expansion to India, and improved EBITDA of a subsidiary operation 45% via innovative pricing.Rationalised suppliers by 1500+ and coordinated a reward and recognition scheme for remaining partners of the firm.

Gb

I oversaw a procurement spend in the many hundreds of millions Euro and directed staff in seven worldwide purchasing offices, leading a Group M&A integration project.Merged several decentralized purchasing departments, creating international sourcing network for the group, providing significant benefit. Reduced costs with large outsourcing deals across IT, Accounting and Facility Management.Defined Group sourcing strategy and selection, improved efficiency with a creative procure-to-pay process, and supported addition of a range of e-sourcing tools that enhanced transparency.Successfully provided project leadership of the Thomas Cook Germany 20% overhead cost reduction programme.

Frankfurt Am Main, Germany, De

Early experience as Strategic Sourcing Consultant, Deutsche Lufthansa AG/Star Alliance.Management of inter-disciplinary procurement teams and negotiation of high volume contracts in the areas of strategic consulting and marketing agenciesRealization of various strategic marketing partnerships worth >EUR 10mProject consultant for several joined Star Alliance procurement projects resulting in savings of >EUR 8mEstablishment of the “Partnereinkauf (Joint Procurement)” together with Deutsche Bahn AG, Deutsche Post AG as well as Deutsche Telekom AG

Mba, Finance, Logistics, International Business

International Business

Endowed Chair Of Procurement

Exec. Leadership Program

Procurement Capability Training

Open Negotiation