Leadership of a commodity manager team located across Ukraine, Poland, and the Czech Republic, where I primarily operated. Our collective responsibility entailed managing an annual material budget exceeding 100 million euros across 10 to 20 projects. Our commodity spectrum ranged from electronic systems over interior components to bogie elements. My key duties involved coordinating timely and budget-conscious procurement for our customer projects, coaching my team in analysing procurement markets to formulate appropriate category strategies, and executing cost-saving initiatives. Early 2023 we started an expansion into new markets across Eastern and Southern Europe that has notably bolstered the competitiveness of our project portfolio. For one system, we could decrease weight by 30%, cost by 20% with 0% loss in technical performance with a very competent Turkish supplier. Those ideas we rolled out into all new train projects. Due to the Corona aftermath and its unique circumstances, I spearheaded an effort to reassess price indexations to align with the elevated but yet manageable inflation. Thereby reducing our price increase risk by 40-60% (!). Additionally, my adept negotiations with key suppliers have resulted in up to 50% improvement in payment terms. Further, I initiated a campaign to enhance supplier contract coverage to 90%, thereby fortifying our legal framework.Furthermore, I streamlined procurement processes and fostered close collaboration with development and production engineering teams. We've commenced implementing project plans with suppliers to monitor the Engineering-Supplier-Product development continuum and integrate this into our contracts.In tandem with our supplier development team's expeditors, I provided support to commodity managers in nurturing our most critical suppliers or transitioning to alternative producers as part of escalation management. Finally, we defined and implemented a full supplier management lifecycle process.

For our bid calculation, I optimize the calculation processes for vehicle projects and initiate strategic product and procurement optimization projects in collaboration with engineering. My successes include the introduction of efficient ABC classification for cost calculation, two design-to-cost (DtC) projects for new product platforms, and the implementation of product-category-specific cost-down measures even before the actual project start.Through the implementation of these new calculation methods, internal goal-setting processes, and design-to-cost initiatives, we significantly contributed to the competitiveness and the awarding of contracts for eight new rolling stock projects in 2023.As part of tracking DtC projects, my team and I take on the project buyer function for selected strategic new projects (such as a tram project in Italy, the development of a new bogie, or the preparation of the largest upcoming single order for Ceske Drahy).I serve as the interface to engineering and provide advice regarding cost and time optimization in procurement, as well as the interaction between procurement and product development. By synchronizing these processes, we have been able to conduct better planning and transfer projects to production earlier.

This tenure was indeed an enriching experience! I initially lead a team of 5 operational/strategical buyers. Over time, maybe owing to strong performance, the team expanded to 3 team leaders and 20 employees within two years, incorporating colleagues from neighboring teams. I led the recruitment and onboarding of five Junior-/Senior-Strategic buyers from diverse industries and had the privilege of mentoring two of them into team leaders. Around the same time, I was entrusted with the role of Deputy Vice President Procurement by my late boss.My responsibilities included ensuring adherence to cost, schedule, and quality targets. My team achieved significant savings and consistently underspent our budget, setting a benchmark within the department. Concurrently, through various initiatives, I improved the flow of goods (drawing parts), ensuring timely deliveries ahead of project kick-offs. Previously, these deliveries were consistently delayed by 4-8 weeks. To address this, I developed a set of KPIs, negotiated performance levels with team members, collectively reviewed and refined our sourcing process, and initiated the streamlining of the engineering process, with support from consultants.In addition, I conducted reviews with my interfaces to enhance multiple processes. These included introducing a framework contract to replace one-time project contracts, streamlining invoice approval process, standardizing multiple usage logistic racks dev., and enhancing demand planning. Further, I collaborated in upskilling operational buyers from strategic functions, building a matrix structure with project procurement, instituting proactive contract mgmt, and establishing claim procedures.A notable achievement was leading the procurement team for the migration to SAP S/4HANA. Through efficient data migration, process optimization, and consistently high "readiness for going live" rates, this project emerged as a resounding success.

At the Embassy in Belgrade, my focus was on empowering accompanying partners of embassy staff in their job search. I cultivated and nurtured relationships with potential employers like GIZ and German companies in Serbia, actively facilitating job placements.My role extended to advising and aiding embassy staff and their families in various life aspects, such as schooling, healthcare, housing, and impending relocations. However, paramount to me was fostering a welcoming culture at our embassy, transforming Belgrade into a true home for all employees and families.I dedicated considerable effort to creating opportunities for people to connect, mingle, and form friendships. From exclusive guided museum tours and vernissages to coffee mornings, business lunches, afternoon strolls, and sporting events – every activity played its part in bringing our community closer together. Every day was a testament to the strengthening bond within our community.I absolutely adored this role!

Embarking on a six-year adventure in Beijing and Belgrade (3+3) alongside my wife and our young explorers (aged 3 and 7 when leaving), I embraced the role of the accompanying spouse with zest. During this time, my free hours became a canvas for meaningful endeavours:In the realm of voluntary activities, I channelled my expertise in project and event management to orchestrate and elevate community networking at the German Embassy School in Beijing and Belgrade, as well as within the partner organization of the Foreign Office.In the vibrant backdrop of Beijing – the Deutsche Botschaftsschule Peking – I found myself assuming the role of the "party champion," curating up to 20 distinct school events annually for students across various age groups, from warm cookie-bakery gatherings for the reception class to the grandeur of the Santa Claus extravaganza, uniting all 800 students and teachers.Upon relocating to Belgrade, I continued down this path on a smaller scale. This adjustment allowed me to extend my support to local church communities, serving as treasurer to ensure medium-term financial stability, facilitating the smooth transition of departing clergy, and actively fostering networking within the youth organization.These experiences were not just chapters in our family's journey but a testament to the transformative power of community engagement and collaboration.Life is a journey filled with ups and downs, twists and turns. Each day, each experience, no matter how difficult or joyful, contributes to the tapestry of our existence. Like pieces of a puzzle, every moment fits together to create the mosaic of our lives. Thus, I wouldn't trade a single one of those days, for they have shaped me into who I am today.

What exactly does a Chief of Staff do, or should I refer to it as a body man?As the Chief Operating Officer/Chief Sales Officer's support, I was tasked with assisting on many minor and major matters. This ranged from fetching a brutally hot espresso, to substituting for assistants during the night (I know every airline's 24-hour hotline by now), to representing my boss as a speaker at internal events with 300 attendees. Additionally, I acted on his behalf in global quality and development projects.Following my suggestion to redesign the budget and bonus process, I cross-functionally combined both for 1000+ employees. Integrating ideas from my boss and myself, we intertwined the budgeting process with KPI reporting (to all employees) and annual bonuses, covering manufacturing, quality, procurement, sales, and engineering.During insolvency proceedings, I amplified my boss's positive communication to sustain our workforce during the transition. Furthermore, I served as the liaison to the Malaysian plant, focusing on imminent cash needs. After actively participating in the search for/negotiation with a new investor, I contributed to the new organizational setup, resulting in the need of staff reductions. While today, the structure designed over a decade ago still remains.Engaging with all those functions and the direct reports of the COO/CSO formed my personality and knowledge about organizations fundamentally. Since then, there is not only Procurement for me, but always one company as a whole and a bunch of great people."I learned that it’s really important to build great relationships with people who are in a support role to a principal, and that the thing that makes an opportunity [like the one I had] successful is trust. You need to trust that the person has the know-how and perception to act and to represent their boss when dealing with other employees or businesses. Trust is what lets you sleep well at night—it’s really invaluable" (Quote: Reggie Love)

As a team director in strategic procurement, I completely revamped the team for production materials & IT, along with the associated processes. I introduced category strategies, supplier portfolio management, framework agreements, and negotiation planning. As a result, within three years, my team and I were able to introduce alternative suppliers for 90% of the materials along with the technology, achieve savings ranging from 25-80% compared to the previous three years, and extend payment terms from an average of 15 to 75 days.Furthermore, I spearheaded the implementation of corporate processes for procurement at the new production site in Malaysia. Through several on-site deployments, I ensured the availability of all materials for the start of production.In the area of capital goods procurement, my team handled the establishment of the factory in Malaysia, and personally, I secured the contract for the first production line for solar cell modules from QCells.

My professional career began as a consultant in the field of procurement and supply chain management. Utilizing raw data from ERP systems, I categorized procurement expenditures based on potential sourcing markets and verified potential savings through international inquiries. To ensure results, I trained our clients' buyers in strategic negotiation planning and execution.Later on, as a junior project manager, I led teams of up to 3 members in supply chain projects (such as optimizing logistics flows in an international corporation for vending machine food service), organizational benchmarking and optimization, as well as cost reduction projects.Despite the brevity of these projects, they provided valuable insights and shaped my personal thought structure. When joining a new company or organization, these initial years of experience enable me to analyze, interpret, and integrate what I observe in relation to other successful companies. Thus, I am confident in my ability to draw informed conclusions and develop strategies for organizational development.____________________________________________________________________________________________________________No matter where you place me in Procurement, I am capable and dedicated to driving excellence and achieving results.____________________________________________________________________________________________________________