Arne Zühlke - Managing Director and Partner

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 Partner 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

Check rate

Experience

May 2018 - Present

8 years 1 month

Tangstedt, Germany

Managing Director and Partner

ARNESS GmbH & Co. KG

Founded the company as a holistic consulting firm focused on purchasing and supply chain
Managed the company’s commercial operations
Digitalized and automated work steps to reduce process costs
Led optimization projects
Connected German companies with overseas manufacturers to achieve shorter delivery times and lower procurement costs
Organized B2B meetings between international companies
Researched procurement markets (Best Cost Country) for manufacturing complex welded assemblies
Took on interim management mandates

May 2015 - Apr 2018

3 years

Head of Supplier Development & Internal Consulting

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

Lead a team of 42 employees
Managed strategic, group-wide projects
Led workshops on process improvements
Selected and implemented a new group-wide ERP system
Developed a structured, forward-looking supplier management for the entire group
Built a complex evaluation and assessment system for supplier selection and control
Expanded procurement internationally into strategic sourcing markets to reduce costs
Grew network with industry associations and international chambers
Represented the group with 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 Gruppe)

Managed both functional and disciplinary leadership of 10 employees
Strategically developed the purchasing area to be agile and flexible in line with company goals, including budget planning and accountability
Reduced purchasing cycle time from an average of 15 working days to under 5 days by optimizing processes and developing staff
Supported professional and personal development of employees
Scheduled staff to adapt to highly variable workloads in special machine construction, from short-time work to 60% overload
Took over and integrated purchasing from BMB AG (Switzerland) at the central site in Hamburg
Enforced the group’s legal and contractual claims domestically and internationally
Achieved regular savings well into the six-figure range through negotiations
Planned and implemented various construction projects within budget

Sep 1999 - Mar 2007

7 years 7 months

Strategic Purchasing

E.C.H. Will GmbH (Körber-Gruppe)

Led a team of 5 employees
Drafted and negotiated contracts for the company and the Körber group
Evaluated, audited, and selected suppliers in the categories of electrical engineering and electronics, telecommunications and IT, and construction services
Achieved regular six-figure savings through negotiations, new suppliers and products, and optimized processes
Increased contract compliance rate by 10–15% per year and reduced maverick buying
Ensured up-to-date data for faster and smoother operations
Managed IT purchasing (hardware and software)
Key User for SAP R/3 implementation with focus on MM, FI/CO, and SD modules
Served as central IT contact for purchasing
Trained working students, new hires, and apprentices
Participated in Körber group’s leadership development program (06/2005–10/2006) with training in Germany and the USA on self-management, team management, leadership, and performance management
Led a development project (01/2005–04/2006) coordinating subprojects in sales, development, purchasing, prototype construction, and assembly with internal staff and partners from several companies in Germany and the USA (about 20 team members)
Negotiated and finalized complex cooperation agreements
Supported customers and prospects, including printing companies in Germany and a US government agency

Aug 1995 - Sep 1999

4 years 2 months

Dual Study / Working Student

E.C.H. Will GmbH (Körber-Gruppe)

Gained practical training and completed project work as part of a dual study program
Received basic training in metalworking (turning and milling), technical drawing, and electro-pneumatics
Worked and trained in all commercial and technical areas of the company
Carried out project work on relevant real-world 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 supply and logistics (S4)
Supported logistical processes and operations within the squadron

PMO

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

Project Manager

Implementation of PSI V9.3 as an ERP system (replacement of AMS++) in a mechanical engineering group with multiple locations
Conducted a requirements analysis with the departments
Selected the system
Coordinated and planned the rollout and held workshops
Covered production, purchasing, sales and logistics

Project Manager

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

Project Manager

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

Project Management & PMO

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

Assistant Project Manager

Introducing a DMS system in a mechanical engineering company
Conducting 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 enhancements. 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, Restructuring
Erp: Ams: Very Good User Skills, Key User, Restructuring
Erp: Psi 9.2: Key User, Project Manager 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 program (part-time) · Elmshorn, Germany

Oct 1997 - Dec 1997

Universidad de Almería

Study abroad semester · Bachelor's in Business Administration and Management · Almería, Spain

Aug 1995 - Sep 1999

Nordakademie gAG

Diploma in Business Administration (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 7 m

Longest experience 8 y

Global Experience

Countries worked in 1 (Germany)

Primary country Germany

Expertise

Recent roles Managing Director and Partner, 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

May 2026

Need a freelancer? Find your match in seconds.

Try FRATCH GPT

Frequently asked questions

Have questions? Find more information here.

Where is Arne based?

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

What languages does Arne speak?

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

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.

What roles would Arne be best suited for?

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

What is Arne's latest experience?

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

What companies has Arne worked for in recent years?

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

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.

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.

Which industries has Arne worked in recently?

Arne has recently worked in industries like Professional Services.

Which business areas has Arne worked in recently?

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

What is Arne's education?

Arne holds a Master in MBA program (part-time) from Nordakademie gAG and a Bachelor in Business Administration (dual study program) from Nordakademie gAG.

Does Arne have any certificates?

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

What is the availability of Arne?

Arne is immediately available full-time for suitable projects.

What is the rate of Arne?

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.