Thorsten Heinisch
Head of Global Purchasing ad interim
Experience
Head of Global Purchasing ad interim
Technical textiles manufacturer (TIER 2/3)
Leading the global procurement team for raw materials and indirect purchasing
Organizational development and role definition
Taking over the global logistics function
Developing a global transport strategy for 6 sites (DE, US, CN, VN)
Tender management
Defining logistics processes and mapping them in ERP Canias
Price and contract negotiations for raw materials and CAPEX
Implementing a global purchasing structure
Defining a qualification matrix and requirements
Defining a product group strategy
Defining and implementing global logistics and transport standards
Reducing transport costs by 45%
Head of Purchasing & Logistics ad interim
OEM commercial vehicles
Implementing ERP (Abas)
Defining target processes
Organizational development
Defining commodity group and supplier strategy
Strategic purchasing for all direct materials
Defining a warehouse concept
Introducing a purchasing structure for direct materials
Defining a commodity group strategy
Reducing inventory-related costs by 35%
Reducing direct procurement costs by 8%
Subproject Lead, Purchasing
Automotive supplier (TIER 1)
Project planning and coordination of sourcing activities
Creating and analyzing cost breakdowns
Preparing RFI/RFQ documents
Price negotiations
Coaching and sparring for the purchasing team and other subproject leads
Advising on optimizing processes in the purchasing team / project purchasing
Optimizing task allocation and goal setting
Advising on project management and project controlling
Improving communication and meeting structures
Advising on identifying and implementing cost reduction opportunities
Meeting the target costs of the bill of materials
Sourcing all components and prequalifying 1st and 2nd sources
Transport Logistics Expert
Automotive manufacturer
Defining global material volumes to be transported
Creating logistics networks
Developing requirements profiles
Coordinating packaging data sheets
Creating load securing guidelines for carriers and suppliers
Implementing yard management for 2 locations
RFQ, negotiations and drafting framework agreements for worldwide transport services
Planning a resilient transport network to support agile and robust supply chains
Reducing CO2 emissions in transport by 30% and establishing corresponding offset measures
Procurement Restructuring
Manufacturer of large tents
Defining target processes
Organizational development
Defining commodity group and supplier strategy
Supporting the implementation of a shop floor data acquisition system
Establishing a state-of-the-art procurement function
Reducing material prices by approx. 15%
Reducing working capital by approx. 20% while ensuring reliable supply to operations
Restructuring Indirect Purchasing
Mechanical engineering company
Coaching the Indirect Purchasing team
Organizational development (responsibilities, job descriptions, department strategy etc.)
Recruiting
Definition of target processes
Handover of a department strategy and organizational structure to the new Head of Indirect
Implementation of an MES system
Technical textiles manufacturer (Tier 2)
Mapping the entire order network and demand planning
Project management (team of 4)
Concept development
Preparation of specifications
Tendering and negotiation of the framework agreement
Implementation
Reduction of order processing costs by more than 20%
Implementation of an MES system
Increase in customer on-time delivery by 15%
Introduction of a cloud-based e-procurement platform
Project lead for e-procurement platform
Technical textiles manufacturer
Project management (team of 3)
Concept development
Preparation of specifications
Tendering and negotiation of the framework agreement
Definition of target processes
Restructuring of the commodity group taxonomy
Implementation
Reduction of order processing costs by 15%
Reduction of purchasing costs by an average of 5%
Implementation of a tugger train system
Automotive supplier (Tier 1 and Tier 2)
Project management (team of 5)
Concept development
Definition of target processes
Creation of schedules
Procurement of a customized tugger train system
Implementation
Implementation of a tugger train system for supplying and removing materials in production
Reduction of in-plant transport vehicle costs by 70%
Increase in OEE by 2%
Implementation of a cloud-based charging station control system
Specialty chemicals
Project management (team of 12)
Concept development
Preparation of specifications
Tendering and negotiation of the framework agreement
Implementation
Reduction of downtime-related costs by more than 80%
Reduction of personnel costs by about 15%
Redesign of the Order to Cash Process in SAP R/3
Spezialchemie
Subproject management for logistics (team of 3 employees)
Master data cleanup
Target process development
Creating the requirements specification for SAP programming
Implementation
Mapping all logistics processes and associated costs in SAP
Outsourcing of in-house logistics
Cosmetics company
Project management (team of 2 employees)
Concept development
Creating requirements specification
Tendering and negotiation of the framework contract
Implementation
Reduction of fixed costs
Introduction of system-based inventory management
Industry Experience
See where this freelancer has spent most of their professional time.
Experienced in Manufacturing, Automotive, Chemical, and Cosmetics.
Business Area Experience
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Experienced in Project Management, Logistics, Procurement, Supply Chain Management, Information Technology, and Production.
Summary
Reduce complexity, unlock potential, shape the future.
As an experienced interim manager and consultant, I link strategy with execution – hands-on, digital and data-driven. Whether it's a procurement platform, smart logistics or scalable SCM concepts: I help companies turn operational challenges into strategic opportunities – with solutions that work and can grow.
Skills
Strategic & Operational Purchasing (Direct, Indirect, Services)
Global Sourcing & International Procurement Markets
Contract Management & Supplier Evaluation
Digitalization & E-procurement
Purchasing Control & Kpi Management
Transport Logistics (Road, Rail, Sea) & Tender Management
Intralogistics, Shuttle Systems & Production Supply
Warehouse Logistics & Capital-efficient Inventory Management
Logistics Control & Kpi Management
Outsourcing & Managing External Service Providers
Technical Logistics Management (Including Fleet Management)
Scm Strategy & Organizational Development
Planning, Control & Digitalization Of The Supply Chain
Warehouse And Inventory Optimization
Process Analysis & Implementation
Communication
Clear, Targeted Communication At All Levels – From The Shop Floor To Executive Management. I Convey Complex Topics In An Understandable Way, Encourage Open Dialogue And Ensure Transparency In Projects And Change Processes.
In Challenging Situations, I Communicate Solution-oriented, Empathetic And Reliable – Both Internally And Externally, Nationally And Internationally.
Leadership Skills
Experienced In Leading Interdisciplinary And International Teams – In Both Growth And Restructuring Situations. I Lead Situationally, Clearly And Reliably, Focusing On Results And Sustainable Team Development.
I Actively Support Change Processes As A Change Leader – With Decisiveness, Structure And Empathy.
My Leadership Values:
Trust | Responsibility | Transparency | Respect | Efficiency
Languages
Education
Certified Business Administrator (IHK) · Business Administration
Certified Specialist in Purchasing & Logistics · Purchasing & Logistics
Freight Forwarding Clerk · Freight Forwarding
Certifications & licenses
Certified Business Administrator (IHK)
Certified Specialist in Purchasing & Logistics
Lean Champion
Six Sigma Green Belt
Freight Forwarding Clerk
Statistics
Experience
Expertise
Qualifications
Profile
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