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Fabian Knarr-Executive Interim Manager | Supply Chain | AI | Business Transformation

Fabian Knarr
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Rülzheim, Germany

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Experience

Jan 2024 - Apr 2026
Speyer, Germany
Hybrid

General Manager Global Procurement & Operations Planning

PM-International AG

Expertise details
Position Summary
General Manager Global Procurement & Operations Planning at PM-International AG
Industries
Manufacturing
Business Areas
Operations
Procurement
Supply Chain Management
  • Global efficiency improvements in the supply chain by centralizing and standardizing planning and procurement processes, implementing KPIs and introducing new technologies at the corporate level
  • Developing and implementing policies and governance for continental headquarters and branches regarding material flow planning and replenishment
  • Responsible for the global production strategy, including advancing worldwide material flow concepts and defining the depth of value creation
  • Building and developing strong, innovative, and collaborative leadership teams in the global supply chain; coaching, mentoring, and empowering direct reports with a focus on operational excellence
  • Standardizing KPIs and reporting systems: implementing new metrics, dashboards, and management information systems to ensure a unified view of company performance and support C-level decision-making
  • Identifying and implementing innovative technology solutions for the company's digital transformation, especially in ERP architecture
  • Initiating measures to increase global efficiency and reduce waste and product destruction in the global supply chain
  • Risk management and compliance: identifying and assessing operational risks and implementing effective mitigation measures
  • Promoting synergies and improved collaboration between sales, finance, and supply chain functions by enhancing and rolling out a professional Sales & Operations Planning process globally
  • Strengthening supplier relationships and responsible for measures to permanently optimize procurement costs under total cost of ownership aspects
Mar 2023 - Present
Karlsruhe, Germany
Hybrid

Lecturer

Duale Hochschule Baden-Württemberg

Expertise details
Position Summary
Lecturer at Duale Hochschule Baden-Württemberg
Industries
Education
Business Areas
Research and Development
Oct 2022 - Jan 2024
Speyer, Germany

Director Procurement & Operations Planning

PM-International AG

Expertise details
Position Summary
Director Procurement & Operations Planning at PM-International AG
Industries
Cosmetics
Food and Beverage
Business Areas
Operations
Procurement
Supply Chain Management
  • Further developing the existing division by taking on company-wide responsibility for Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) through the establishment of an integrated planning department (Operations Planning)
  • Enhancing the existing reporting systems for direct reporting to the C-level (Chief Operating Officer)
  • Implementing the corporate strategy to develop new or optimize existing processes, both within the department and at the interface with internal and external stakeholders
  • Translating corporate goals into appropriate targets and guidelines for the department's managers
  • Coaching, mentoring, and empowering direct reports
  • Leading the division, consisting of Purchasing Operations & Master Data Management, Operations Planning, and Strategic Procurement departments
  • Ensuring successful change management by seamlessly integrating Production Planning into the newly formed Operations Planning department
  • Overseeing the company-wide S&OP process to ensure global delivery capability
  • Advancing the existing supplier base by designing and implementing suitable procurement strategies across all product categories
  • Managing ERP and business intelligence projects for the digital transformation of the global supply chain
  • Financial project responsibility for new product launches or changes
Sep 2022 - Present

Founder & CEO

Holistic Value Consulting

Expertise details
Position Summary
Founder & CEO at Holistic Value Consulting
Industries
Professional Services
Business Areas
Strategy
Mar 2020 - Sep 2022
Speyer, Germany

Director Purchasing & Demand Planning

PM-International AG

Expertise details
Position Summary
Director Purchasing & Demand Planning at PM-International AG
Industries
Cosmetics
Food and Beverage
Business Areas
Procurement
Project Management
Supply Chain Management
  • Restructured the extended procurement division, including master data management and establishment of demand planning
  • Developed impactful reporting systems for direct reporting to the C-level (Chief Operating Officer)
  • Implemented the corporate strategy to develop new or optimize existing processes, both within the division and at the interface with internal and external stakeholders
  • Translated corporate goals into appropriate targets and guidelines for the division's managers
  • Coached and mentored direct reports
  • Led the division, consisting of the Strategic Purchasing & Planning, Purchasing Operations & Master Data Management, and Internal Procurement & Merchandise teams
  • Built a strong supplier base by designing and implementing suitable procurement strategies across all product categories
  • Managed ERP and business intelligence projects for the digital transformation of the global supply chain
  • Carried financial project responsibility for new product launches or changes
  • Responsible for global mid- to long-term capacity and procurement planning
Apr 2019 - Mar 2020
Cologne, Germany

Group Head of Global Purchasing

BIRKENSTOCK GmbH & Co. KG

Expertise details
Position Summary
Group Head of Global Purchasing at BIRKENSTOCK GmbH & Co. KG
Industries
Manufacturing
Retail
Business Areas
Procurement
Oct 2018 - Mar 2019
Neustadt, Germany

Head of Global Contract Manufacturing

BIRKENSTOCK GmbH & Co. KG

Expertise details
Position Summary
Head of Global Contract Manufacturing at BIRKENSTOCK GmbH & Co. KG
Industries
Manufacturing
Business Areas
Procurement
Supply Chain Management
Oct 2017 - Sep 2018
Neustadt, Germany

Category Manager Global Footwear

BIRKENSTOCK GmbH & Co. KG

Expertise details
Position Summary
Category Manager Global Footwear at BIRKENSTOCK GmbH & Co. KG
Industries
Fashion
Business Areas
Marketing
Product Development
Sep 2016 - Sep 2017
Neustadt, Germany

Strategic Buyer

BIRKENSTOCK GmbH & Co. KG

Expertise details
Position Summary
Strategic Buyer at BIRKENSTOCK GmbH & Co. KG
Industries
Fashion
Manufacturing
Business Areas
Procurement
Oct 2012 - Aug 2016
Landau, Germany

Supplier Manager Asia

Theo Klein GmbH

Expertise details
Position Summary
Supplier Manager Asia at Theo Klein GmbH
Industries
Manufacturing
Business Areas
Procurement
Supply Chain Management

Industry Experience

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

Experienced in Manufacturing, Cosmetics, Food and Beverage, Professional Services, Education, and Fashion.

Manufacturing
Cosmetics
Food and Beverage
Professional Services
Education
Fashion
Profile match chart

Business Area Experience

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

Experienced in Procurement, Supply Chain Management, Operations, Strategy, Research and Development, and Project Management.

Procurement
Supply Chain Management
Operations
Strategy
Research and Development
Project Management
Profile match chart

Summary

  • Dynamic leader with deep supply chain expertise

I am a dynamic, action-oriented executive with over a decade of experience in supply chain management. In various international roles, I have learned not just to manage complexity but to turn it into sustainable value. I combine strategic thinking with operational focus - always aiming for measurable outcomes and preparing companies for the future.

  • International supply chain transformation with measurable impact

Throughout my career, I have successfully built integrated planning divisions and developed strategic procurement approaches that significantly improved the efficiency of global supply chains. I focus on creating structures that go beyond isolated optimizations: robust processes, clear responsibilities, and resilient networks that support businesses in dynamic markets for the long term.

  • ️ Execution strength in restructuring, leadership, and process optimization

A key focus of my work is restructuring divisions, developing leaders, and consistently optimizing processes along the value chain. My goal is not just theoretical concepts but their effective implementation in daily business. This hands-on mentality also shapes our approach at Holistic Value Consulting: we never view strategy in isolation but always in connection with practical execution.

  • Expertise in S&OP, change management, and modern leadership

I have extensive experience in implementing S&OP structures, change management, and developing modern leadership and control models. Especially in times of growing uncertainty, organizations need to act flexibly, data-driven, and decisively. I focus on practical solutions, sustainable embedding, and bridging people, processes, and systems.

  • Experience in global companies and impactful leadership roles

My career has taken me to various senior roles in internationally focused companies. There I gained valuable experience during challenging transformation and growth phases and made a high impact across different roles. This range of perspectives helps me to address challenges holistically and develop tailor-made solutions - strategically sound, operationally solid, and closely aligned with company goals.

  • Knowledge transfer with real-world relevance

As a university lecturer, I also bring my experience to training the next generation of strategic thinkers. It is especially important to me to connect theory with practical relevance. This link between reflection and action is also central to our work at Holistic Value Consulting: we build bridges between theory and practice, concept and impact.

  • Agile thought leader for innovation, change, and sustainable value

My broad skill set positions me as an agile thought leader committed to shaping innovation and change. I see transformation not as an end in itself but as the deliberate development of organizations, supply chains, and leadership models toward greater performance, resilience, and value creation. This aligns perfectly with Holistic Value Consulting's mission: guiding companies into a successful future with entrepreneurial clarity, operational excellence, and a holistic understanding of VALUE.

Skills

  • Leadership
  • Supply Chain Management
  • Organizational Development

Languages

German
Native
English
Advanced

Education

Oct 2014 - Jun 2017

Graduate School Rhein-Neckar

Master of Business Administration · Logistics, Material, and Supply Chain Management · Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Germany · 1,3

Oct 2009 - Sep 2012

Duale Hochschule Baden-Württemberg

Bachelor of Arts · Economic Sciences · Karlsruhe, Germany · 1,7

Statistics

Experience

Total positions 10
Experience in Manufacturing 8.5 y
Avg length 2 y
Longest experience 3 y 10 m

Global Experience

Countries worked in 1 (Germany)
Primary country Germany

Expertise

Recent roles General Manager Global Procurement & Operations Planning, Lecturer, Director Procurement & Operations Planning
Main industries Manufacturing, Cosmetics, Food and Beverage
Main business areas Procurement, Supply Chain Management, Operations

Qualifications

Highest degree Master

Profile

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Frequently asked questions

Do you have questions? Here you can find further information.

Where is Fabian based?

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

What languages does Fabian speak?

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

How many years of experience does Fabian have?

Fabian has at least 14 years of experience. During this time, Fabian has worked in at least 10 different roles and for 5 different companies. The average length of individual experience is 1 year and 4 months. Note that Fabian may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.

What roles would Fabian be best suited for?

Based on recent experience, Fabian would be well-suited for roles such as: General Manager Global Procurement & Operations Planning, Lecturer, Director Procurement & Operations Planning.

What is Fabian's latest experience?

Fabian's most recent position is General Manager Global Procurement & Operations Planning at PM-International AG.

What companies has Fabian worked for in recent years?

In recent years, Fabian has worked for PM-International AG, Duale Hochschule Baden-Württemberg, and Holistic Value Consulting.

Which industries is Fabian most experienced in?

Fabian is most experienced in industries like Manufacturing, Cosmetics, and Food and Beverage. Fabian also has some experience in Professional Services, Education, and Fashion.

Which business areas is Fabian most experienced in?

Fabian is most experienced in business areas like Procurement, Supply Chain Management, and Strategy. Fabian also has some experience in Operations, Research and Development, and Project Management.

Which industries has Fabian worked in recently?

Fabian has recently worked in industries like Cosmetics, Food and Beverage, and Professional Services.

Which business areas has Fabian worked in recently?

Fabian has recently worked in business areas like Procurement, Supply Chain Management, and Strategy.

What is Fabian's education?

Fabian holds a Master in Logistics, Material, and Supply Chain Management from Graduate School Rhein-Neckar and a Bachelor in Economic Sciences from Duale Hochschule Baden-Württemberg.

What is the availability of Fabian?

Fabian will be available part-time from April 2026.

What is the rate of Fabian?

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

How to hire Fabian?

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

Average rates for similar positions

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Market avg: 888-1048 €
The rates shown represent the typical market range for freelancers in this position based on recent contracts on our platform.
Actual rates may vary depending on seniority level, experience, skill specialization, project complexity, and engagement length.

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