Arne Zühlke - Managing Director and Shareholder

Q: Where is Arne based?

Arne is based in Hamburg, Germany and can operate in on-site , hybrid , and remote work models.

Q: What languages does Arne speak?

Arne speaks the following languages: German (Native), English (Advanced), Spanish (Advanced) .

Q: How many years of experience does Arne have?

Arne has at least 32 years of experience. During this time, Arne has worked in at least 6 different roles and for 4 different companies . The average length of individual experience is 5 years and 4 months . Note that Arne may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.

Q: What is Arne's latest experience?

Arne's most recent position is Managing Director and Shareholder at ARNESS GmbH & Co. KG .

Q: What companies has Arne worked for in recent years?

In recent years, Arne has worked for ARNESS GmbH & Co. KG .

Q: Which industries is Arne most experienced in?

Arne is most experienced in industries like Manufacturing , Professional Services , and Automotive . Arne also has some experience in Aerospace and Defense .

Q: Which business areas is Arne most experienced in?

Arne is most experienced in business areas like Procurement , Project Management , and Supply Chain Management . Arne also has some experience in Product Development , Production , and Logistics .

Q: Which industries has Arne worked in recently?

Arne has recently worked in industries like Professional Services .

Q: Which business areas has Arne worked in recently?

Arne has recently worked in business areas like Procurement , Project Management , and Supply Chain Management .

Recommended expert

Hamburg, Germany

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Experience

May 2018 - Present

8 years 3 months

Tangstedt, Germany

Managing Director and Shareholder

ARNESS GmbH & Co. KG

Founded the company as a full-service consulting firm focused on purchasing and supply chain
Commercial management of the company
Digitalization and automation of work steps to reduce process costs
Project management for optimization projects
Connecting German companies with manufacturers abroad to achieve shorter delivery times and lower procurement costs at the same time
Organizing B2B meetings between international companies
Research on procurement markets (BestCostCountry) for the production of complex welded assemblies
Taking on interim management assignments

May 2015 - Apr 2018

3 years

Head of Supplier Development & Internal Consulting

Kroenert GmbH & Co. KG | ZAE – AntriebsSysteme GmbH & Co. KG (ATH Group)

Functional leadership of a team of 42 employees
Project management for strategic, cross-company projects
Leading workshops on process improvements
Selection and implementation of a new group-wide ERP system
Development of a structured and future-oriented supplier management system for the entire group
Building a complex evaluation and assessment system for supplier selection and control
Expanding international purchasing into strategic procurement markets to reduce purchasing costs
Expanding the network with associations and international chambers
Representing the group through specialist presentations at conferences in Germany and abroad in German and English

Apr 2007 - Apr 2015

8 years 1 month

Head of Purchasing

Kroenert GmbH & Co. KG | ZAE – AntriebsSysteme GmbH & Co. KG (ATH Group)

Functional and disciplinary leadership of 10 employees
Strategic development of purchasing in line with company goals into an agile and flexible area, including budget planning and responsibility
Reducing purchasing lead time from an average of 15 working days to under 5 working days by improving processes and developing employees
Professional and personal development of employees
Staff planning adapted to the highly changing workload in special machine building, from short-time work to 60% overload
Taking over and integrating the purchasing department of BMB AG (Switzerland) at the central site in Hamburg
Enforcing legal and contractual claims of the group in Germany and abroad
Regular savings from negotiations well into the six-figure range
Planning and budget-compliant implementation of various construction projects

Sep 1999 - Mar 2007

7 years 7 months

Strategic Purchasing

E.C.H. Will GmbH (Körber Group)

Functional leadership of 5 employees
Drafting and negotiating contracts for the company and the Körber Group
Evaluation, auditing, and selection of suppliers in the product groups electrical engineering and electronics, telecommunications and IT, construction projects
Regular savings in the six-figure range through negotiations, new suppliers and products, and optimized processes
Increasing the contract rate by 10–15% per year and reducing Maverick Buying
Ensuring the highest data accuracy for faster and smoother processing
IT purchasing (hardware and software)
Key User for the introduction of SAP R/3 with focus on module MM as well as FI/CO and SD
Central contact person for IT in purchasing
Training of working students, new employees, and apprentices
Participation in the Körber Group leadership development program (06/2005–10/2006) with training in Germany and the USA on self-management, team management, leadership, and performance management
Leading a development project (01/2005–04/2006) with coordination of the subprojects sales, development, purchasing, prototyping, and assembly with internal employees and business partners from several companies in Germany and the USA (around 20 team members in total)
Negotiation and conclusion of complex cooperation agreements
Support for customers and prospects, including printers from Germany and a US government agency

Aug 1995 - Sep 1999

4 years 2 months

Dual Study Program / Working Student

E.C.H. Will GmbH (Körber Group)

Practical training and project work as part of a dual study program
Basic metal training (turning and milling), technical drawing, and electro-pneumatics
Work and training in all commercial and technical areas of the company
Carrying out project work on relevant practical issues

Aug 1994 - Jul 1995

1 year

Jagel, Germany

Basic military service, S4 (supply and logistics)

Reconnaissance Wing (AG51) Jagel (Air Force)

Completed basic military service in the area of supply and logistics (S4)
Supported logistics processes and workflows within the wing

PMO

Multi-project management with 12 subprojects for an electronics group with several production sites in Germany and Hungary (automotive, mechanical engineering, consumer electronics)
Measures to significantly reduce inventory
Planning in SAP R/3
Introduction of S&OP
Creation of a KPI dashboard

Project Management

Introduction of PSI V9.3 as ERP system (replacement of AMS++) in a mechanical engineering group with several locations
Carrying out a requirements analysis with the departments
Decision on the system selection
Coordination and planning of the rollout as well as running workshops
Coverage of production, purchasing, sales and logistics

Project Management

Development of an integrated digital printing machine in mechanical engineering
Coordination of international project partners, suppliers and the pilot customer
Overall responsibility for development, sales, prototype building and procurement

Project Management

Internationalization of the supplier base for a sales agency in mechanical engineering
Carrying out a requirements analysis
Supplier selection
Onboarding of new suppliers

Project Management & PMO

Developing and implementing a digitalization strategy for a retail group (consumer electronics)
Significant reduction of manual tasks
Creating interfaces between internal SAP and logistics service providers and partners
Introducing EDI invoicing for customers
Analyzing and automating processes
Introducing new software and tools, including HR (Personio), project management (TOPO), finance (LucaNet), interfaces (LobsterData), and DMS (DocuWare)

Subproject Management

Introducing a DMS system in a mechanical engineering company
Requirements analysis for the purchasing department
Preparing the selection decision
Supporting the rollout in purchasing and procurement

Industry Experience

See where this freelancer has spent most of their professional time.

Experienced in Manufacturing, Professional Services, Automotive, and Aerospace and Defense.

Manufacturing

Professional Services

Automotive

Aerospace and Defense

Business Area Experience

See which departments and functions this freelancer has contributed to most.

Experienced in Procurement, Project Management, Supply Chain Management, Product Development, Production, and Logistics.

Procurement

Project Management

Supply Chain Management

Product Development

Production

Logistics

Summary

I have extensive experience driving supply chain and procurement improvements with a strong focus on digitalization and cost reduction. I have built and optimized supplier networks, streamlined processes, and managed international projects that effectively shortened delivery times and lowered acquisition costs.

I have developed efficient systems in procurement and led ERP system implementations, delivering consistent cost savings and process improvements. My hands-on approach and expertise in digital business, Lean Six Sigma, and project management allow me to create tailored solutions that fit today’s competitive environment.

Skills

Office: Very Good User Skills, Trainer
Erp: Sap R/3: Key User, Trainer, Implementation
Erp: Sap Businessone 10.0: Key User, Trainer, Consultant, Redesign
Erp: Ams: Very Good User Skills, Key User, Redesign
Erp: Psi 9.2: Key User, Project Lead For Implementation
Visualization: Visio, Bizagi, Aris, Freemind
Sql: Basic Knowledge
Automation: Lobster Data, Alphabots, Ai

Languages

German

Native

English

Advanced

Spanish

Advanced

Education

Apr 2002 - Apr 2004

Nordakademie gAG

MBA, International Marketing and Business Communication · MBA studies (part-time) · Elmshorn, Germany

Oct 1997 - Dec 1997

Universidad de Almería

Semester abroad · Business Administration and Management · Almería, Spain

Aug 1995 - Sep 1999

Nordakademie gAG

Diplom-Kaufmann (FH) · Business Administration (Dual Study Program) · Elmshorn, Germany

...and 1 more

Certifications & licenses

Axelos Professional Scrum Master Ii

Prince2

Scrum.org Digital Business Innovator

Six Sigma Black Belt

Sscd / Asq Supplier Auditor

Statistics

Experience

Total positions 12

Experience in Manufacturing 22.5 y

Avg length 2 y 8 m

Longest experience 8 y 2 m

Global Experience

Countries worked in 1 (Germany)

Primary country Germany

Expertise

Recent roles Managing Director and Shareholder, Head of Supplier Development & Internal Consulting, Head of Purchasing

Main industries Manufacturing, Professional Services, Automotive

Main business areas Procurement, Project Management, Supply Chain Management

Qualifications

Highest degree Master

Certifications earned 5

Profile

Created

November 2024

Last Update

July 2026

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Frequently asked questions

Have questions? Find more information here.

Arne is based in Hamburg, Germany and can operate in on-site, hybrid, and remote work models.

Arne speaks the following languages: German (Native), English (Advanced), Spanish (Advanced).

Arne has at least 32 years of experience. During this time, Arne has worked in at least 6 different roles and for 4 different companies. The average length of individual experience is 5 years and 4 months. Note that Arne may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.

Based on recent experience, Arne would be well-suited for roles such as: Managing Director and Shareholder, Head of Supplier Development & Internal Consulting, Head of Purchasing.

Arne's most recent position is Managing Director and Shareholder at ARNESS GmbH & Co. KG.

In recent years, Arne has worked for ARNESS GmbH & Co. KG.

Arne is most experienced in industries like Manufacturing, Professional Services, and Automotive. Arne also has some experience in Aerospace and Defense.

Arne is most experienced in business areas like Procurement, Project Management, and Supply Chain Management. Arne also has some experience in Product Development, Production, and Logistics.

Arne has recently worked in industries like Professional Services.

Arne has recently worked in business areas like Procurement, Project Management, and Supply Chain Management.

Arne holds a Master in MBA studies (part-time) from Nordakademie gAG and a Bachelor in Business Administration (Dual Study Program) from Nordakademie gAG.

Arne has 5 certificates. Among them, these include: Axelos Professional Scrum Master Ii, Prince2, and Scrum.org Digital Business Innovator.

Arne is immediately available full-time for suitable projects.

Arne's rate depends on the specific project requirements. Please use the Meet button on the profile to schedule a meeting and discuss the details.

To hire Arne, click the Meet button on the profile to request a meeting and discuss your project needs.