Thorben W.-Senior Lead Buyer IT + Telco ad interim
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Experience
Senior Lead Buyer IT + Telco ad interim
Unnamed Client (Automotive, Energy, Solar and Charging Solutions)
- Managed a worldwide IT procurement volume of approx. €200 M across ~160 IT and Telco themes with budgets from €300 K to €7.5 M
- Procured hardware, software and licenses for HQ and ~25 plants globally (e.g., Hungary, North Macedonia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Morocco, Mexico)
- Provided disciplinary leadership for 2 direct reports
- Negotiated major contracts with US and UK software and telco providers, achieving average savings of ~9 %
- Utilized SAP Ariba for procurement processes
- Optimized procure-to-pay processes including invoice dispute resolution and contract management
- Collaborated closely with license management, governance and legal teams
- Supported post-merger integration of a charging solutions unit
External Sub-Project Manager (Stream Lead) in Indirect Procurement
Unnamed Client (Global Automotive Supplier)
- Handled procurement volume over €2 B across 150+ factories and multiple business units
- Led sourcing for logistics, facility management, cleaning, security, IT, marketing, forklifts, hand tools, technical suppliers, spare parts and MRO
- Developed, managed and implemented a results improvement program
- Served as part-project lead, PMO and stakeholder manager
- Conducted process optimization initiatives
External Project Manager for Commercial Process Optimization
Top-10 University, NRW, Germany
- Managed project control, KPI definition and stakeholder management
- Led and coordinated 5 sub-projects across multiple university departments (procurement, legal, tax, finance, asset accounting, construction, facility management, HVAC, document management)
- Modeled as-is and to-be processes using BPMN
Industry experience
See where this freelancer has spent most of their professional time.
Experienced in Automotive, Education, and Energy.
Business area experience
See which departments and functions this freelancer has contributed to most.
Experienced in Project Management, Procurement, and Operations.
Skills
- Strategic And Operational Procurement, Supply Chain Management, Commercial Contract Management And Negotiations
- E-Procurement, Procure-To-Pay (P2p), It Implementations
- Procurement Leadership For Major It And It Procurement Projects, Including Software, Professional / Managed Services And Insourcing / Outsourcing Initiatives
- Management And Optimization Of License-Based Procurement Processes
- Development Of International Procurement Strategies For The Categories Managed: Hardware, Software, Licenses, Services And Consulting
- Eliminating Maverick Buying By Involving It Procurement Early In Selection, Procurement And Budget Processes
- Organizational Consulting, Process Optimization, Carve-Outs And Outsourcing, Multi-Project Management
- Process Digitalization Across Departments, In Procurement Or In The Supply Chain
- Business Transformation, Change Management And Cost Reduction
- Developing The Supplier Base Through Procurement Strategies And Active Supplier Management (Supplier, Risk And Contract Management)
- Kpi Reports, Kpi Dashboards, Action Tracking And Performance Monitoring
- Presentations, Training, Potential And Maturity Assessments
- Negotiations, With Experience From Around 1,100 Negotiations And 26 Categories
- Project Management And Leadership Of Large Projects
- Interim Department Management
- Use Of It In Procurement, E-Procurement, Scrm, Procurement Digitalization
- Digitalization And Activity Analysis, Identifying Digitalization Potential
- Digitalization Maturity – Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities And Risks
- Contributing To The Development Of Target Operating Models (Tom)
- Analysis Of End-User License Agreements (Eula)
- Preparing It-Related Tenders (Rfx, Rfp, Rfi, Sow)
- Analysis Of Digitalization Opportunities In Procurement, The Supply Chain, Risk Management And Other Business Areas
- Assessment Of New Technology Potential, E.G., Rpa, E-Invoicing, E-Procurement, Dms
- Developing Training Materials And Skills Matrices (It, Digitalization, Processes, Procurement)
- Procurement Of It, Hardware, Software And Licenses
- Procurement Of Logistics, Facility Management And Marketing Services
- Procurement Of Advisors, Consulting, It Services And Professional Services
- Implementation Of New P2p Software
Languages
Education
Fachhochschule für Wirtschaft, Berlin
Diplom-Kaufmann (FH), Finance and Investment · Finance and Investment · Berlin, Germany · 1,7
International Business School
Finance and Investments · Budapest, Hungary
Fachhochschule für Wirtschaft, Berlin
Basic Studies · Berlin, Germany
Certifications & licenses
Geprüfter Handelsassistent, IHK
Statistics
Experience
Expertise
Qualifications
Frequently asked questions
Have questions? Find more information here.
Thorben is based in Düsseldorf, Germany.
Thorben speaks the following languages: German (Native), English (Advanced), Hungarian (Elementary).
Thorben has at least 2 years of experience. During this time, Thorben has worked in at least 3 different roles and for 3 different companies. The average length of individual experience is 1 year and 7 months. Note that Thorben may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.
Based on recent experience, Thorben would be well-suited for roles such as: Senior Lead Buyer IT + Telco ad interim, External Sub-Project Manager (Stream Lead) in Indirect Procurement, External Project Manager for Commercial Process Optimization.
Thorben's most recent position is Senior Lead Buyer IT + Telco ad interim at Unnamed Client (Automotive, Energy, Solar and Charging Solutions).
In recent years, Thorben has worked for Unnamed Client (Automotive, Energy, Solar and Charging Solutions), Unnamed Client (Global Automotive Supplier), Top-10 University, NRW, and Germany.
Thorben is most experienced in industries like Education, Automotive, and Energy.
Thorben is most experienced in business areas like Project Management, Operations, and Procurement.
Thorben attended Fachhochschule für Wirtschaft, Berlin for Finance and Investment.
Thorben has 2 certificates. These include: Yellow Belt, Lean Management, Geprüfter Handelsassistent and IHK.
The availability of Thorben needs to be confirmed.
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Average rates for similar positions
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The median daily rate is the middle value of all daily rates — half of comparable freelancers charge less, half charge more. Unlike the average, it is barely affected by outliers.
Calculated based on our freelancers’ daily rates as of 15 Nov 2026. Actual rates may vary depending on seniority level, experience, skill specialization, project complexity, and engagement length.
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