Afra Sarah Nonnenmacher - Innovation Manager

Q: Where is Afra Sarah based?

Afra Sarah is based in Ravensburg, Germany and can operate in on-site , hybrid , and remote work models.

Q: What languages does Afra Sarah speak?

Afra Sarah speaks the following languages: German (Native), English (Advanced), Spanish (Elementary), Latin (Elementary) .

Q: How many years of experience does Afra Sarah have?

Afra Sarah has at least 16 years of experience. During this time, Afra Sarah has worked in at least 8 different roles and for 9 different companies . The average length of individual experience is 2 years and 9 months . Note that Afra Sarah may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.

Q: What is Afra Sarah's latest experience?

Afra Sarah's most recent position is Innovation Manager at Vetter Pharma-Fertigung GmbH & Co.KG .

Q: What companies has Afra Sarah worked for in recent years?

In recent years, Afra Sarah has worked for Vetter Pharma-Fertigung GmbH & Co.KG , SIMPLON Fahrrad GmbH , Schoeller Textil AG , and Self-employed .

Q: Which industries is Afra Sarah most experienced in?

Afra Sarah is most experienced in industries like Manufacturing , Sport and Recreation , and Automotive . Afra Sarah also has some experience in Pharmaceutical .

Q: Which business areas is Afra Sarah most experienced in?

Afra Sarah is most experienced in business areas like Product Development , Project Management , and Marketing . Afra Sarah also has some experience in Procurement and Purchasing , Production/Manufacturing , and Quality Assurance (QA) .

Q: Which industries has Afra Sarah worked in recently?

Afra Sarah has recently worked in industries like Manufacturing and Pharmaceutical .

Q: Which business areas has Afra Sarah worked in recently?

Afra Sarah has recently worked in business areas like Marketing , Product Development , and Project Management .

Recommended expert

Ravensburg, Germany

Experience

May 2024 - Present

1 year 10 months

Ravensburg, Germany

Innovation Manager

Vetter Pharma-Fertigung GmbH & Co.KG

Organize and run innovation manager workshops, including innovative ideas, further development, and implementing the innovation department into the company
Reflect on the innovation process and partially redesign it
Build an external network to integrate new solutions into the company
Trend scouting

Apr 2022 - Feb 2024

1 year 11 months

International Product Marketing Manager & PM

SIMPLON Fahrrad GmbH

Prepare data for all product-related accessories and apparel marketing content (offline/online)
Establish and define product marketing and the apparel and accessories line
Design graphics, concepts, and content for product information in marketing materials
Create documents for technical documentation, presentations, and trade shows
Redesign interactive price lists
Prepare detailed photo briefs for photoshoots and execution
Redesign the apparel and accessories line

Feb 2021 - Dec 2021

11 months

Sevelen, Switzerland

International Product Manager Protection

Schoeller Textil AG

Implement product management in the company as the interface between design, marketing, production, sales, and executive management
Streamline the product range by over 50% and rebuild the assortment for the protection business area (military, police, motorcycle, multi-standard, corporate)
Optimize processes to ensure company profitability
Define and implement innovation processes to create market-relevant new products
Define and implement certified products for workwear protection worldwide (ASTM, CE, EN ISO)
Participate in global tenders and bids for protective clothing (Taiwan, USA, UK, etc.)

May 2019 - Feb 2021

1 year 10 months

Innsbruck, Austria

Freelancer

Self-employed

Develop and implement new products based on customer requirements in product and concept development
Create sales materials, interactive calculation sheets, and presentations
Coordinate external photographers
Manage and monitor the R&D process from prototype evaluation to production approval
Handle product certifications and coordinate corporate identity

May 2018 - May 2019

1 year 1 month

Innsbruck, Austria

International Product Manager Office & Area Lighting

Prolicht GmbH

Implement product management in the company as the interface between engineering, sales, marketing, and executive management
Evaluate, develop, and launch the new office lighting market segment
Develop concepts and introduce the new office lighting series
Brief and coordinate industrial designers (Hadi Teherani, Andreas Andres, etc.)
Define technical and marketing briefs
Create product presentations and training materials for the sales department
Present product innovations (English/German)

Oct 2016 - May 2018

1 year 8 months

Dornbirn, Austria

Global Product Manager Indoor Commercial Lights

Thorn Lighting Ltd / Zumtobel Group AG

Product management of indoor luminaires for industrial applications, warehouses, production halls, aircraft hangars and prisons (customers including Airbus SE)
Product responsibility for high-bay luminaires: design, function, application and cost efficiency
Creating and implementing new product specifications for suppliers and the R&D team
Developing and communicating product families with a focus on cost efficiency, assortment design and maximum installation flexibility (wireless function, CLO, etc.)
Project and product execution as well as coordination on site at the main plant in the UK
Training the global sales team on-site and online in Australia, USA and Europe

Nov 2013 - Jul 2015

1 year 9 months

Munich, Germany

International Product & Commercial Manager Accessories

Salewa – Oberalp AG

Defining collection strategy for summer and winter collections
Developing bivy bags, first aid kits, travel bags, UL collections, climbing gear, bouldering mats, chalk bags, poles, etc.
Managing and controlling the R&D process from prototype feedback to approval for series production
Designing the assortment, clustering and developing the accessories category
Creating and presenting sales materials (workbook/web) worldwide
Integrating and implementing the new Salewa corporate identity
Managing budget (product price, investment costs, external service costs) and coordinating graphic and industrial designers
Sourcing suppliers and developing partnerships
Traveling in Asia (China & Taiwan) for product implementation and price negotiations

Nov 2010 - Nov 2013

3 years 1 month

Munich, Germany

International Product Manager Protection

HEAD Sport AG – HTM

Developing ski and alpine racing helmets and PPE products (hard-shell and soft back protectors, goggles, ABS backpack)
Conducting assortment analysis through to product launch, including ski goggles and travel bags
Sourcing, evaluating and implementing technologies and partnerships
Managing and controlling the R&D process
Designing the range and implementing a CE-certified collection of helmets, soft and hard body protectors and goggles
Developing a multi-standard protective helmet and achieving higher FIS standards for racing ski helmets
Collaborating with MONTANA Intl. to implement a rental system
Creating briefs and coordinating industrial designers, graphic designers and suppliers
Budget responsibility, tooling costs and external partners
Over ten trips to Asia for product execution and price negotiations
Managing a junior product manager

Sep 2008 - Nov 2010

2 years 3 months

Sevelen, Switzerland

International Product and Process Engineer – Enginebay

Heatshield Rieter Automotive AG / Autoneum AG

Producing, analyzing and optimizing prototypes
Defining the series production process: design guidelines and engine compartment standards
Defining and implementing acoustic absorbers for international OEMs while meeting economic and technical requirements
Conducting material tests in collaboration with the lab
Cost calculation and preparing quotes for OEMs
Transferring products into series production in CH, PL, CZ and ES; optimizing processes until series approval
Providing on-site technical customer support (Mini Cooper in GB, BMW Munich)
Creating material specifications

Industries Experience

See where this freelancer has spent most of their professional time. Longer bars indicate deeper hands-on experience, while shorter ones reflect targeted or project-based work.

Experienced in Manufacturing (10 years), Sport (4.5 years), Pharmaceutical (2 years), and Automotive (2 years).

Manufacturing

Sport

Pharmaceutical

Automotive

Business Areas Experience

The graph below provides a cumulative view of the freelancer's experience across multiple business areas, calculated from completed and active engagements. It highlights the areas where the freelancer has most frequently contributed to planning, execution, and delivery of business outcomes.

Experienced in Product Development (14 years), Project Management (8 years), Marketing (7 years), Procurement (4.5 years), Research and Development (2 years), and Production (2 years).

Product Development

Project Management

Marketing

Procurement

Research and Development

Production

Languages

German

Native

English

Advanced

Spanish

Elementary

Latin

Elementary

Education

Aug 2006 - Jan 2007

Auburn University

Polymer and Fiber Engineering · Auburn, United States

Oct 2004 - Apr 2008

Hochschule Reutlingen

Bachelor of Science, Textile Technology and Management · Textile Engineering · Reutlingen, Germany · 1.2

Sep 2000 - Jul 2003

Humpisschule Ravensburg, Wirtschaftsgymnasium

Abitur · Ravensburg, Germany

Certifications & licenses

Basic Latin Certificate

Profile

Created

September 2024

Last Update

September 2025

Need a freelancer? Find your match in seconds.

Try FRATCH GPT

Frequently asked questions

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

Where is Afra Sarah based?

Afra Sarah is based in Ravensburg, Germany and can operate in on-site, hybrid, and remote work models.

What languages does Afra Sarah speak?

Afra Sarah speaks the following languages: German (Native), English (Advanced), Spanish (Elementary), Latin (Elementary).

How many years of experience does Afra Sarah have?

Afra Sarah has at least 16 years of experience. During this time, Afra Sarah has worked in at least 8 different roles and for 9 different companies. The average length of individual experience is 2 years and 9 months. Note that Afra Sarah may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.

What roles would Afra Sarah be best suited for?

Based on recent experience, Afra Sarah would be well-suited for roles such as: Innovation Manager, International Product Marketing Manager & PM, International Product Manager Protection.

What is Afra Sarah's latest experience?

Afra Sarah's most recent position is Innovation Manager at Vetter Pharma-Fertigung GmbH & Co.KG.

What companies has Afra Sarah worked for in recent years?

In recent years, Afra Sarah has worked for Vetter Pharma-Fertigung GmbH & Co.KG, SIMPLON Fahrrad GmbH, Schoeller Textil AG, and Self-employed.

Which industries is Afra Sarah most experienced in?

Afra Sarah is most experienced in industries like Manufacturing, Sport and Recreation, and Automotive. Afra Sarah also has some experience in Pharmaceutical.

Which business areas is Afra Sarah most experienced in?

Afra Sarah is most experienced in business areas like Product Development, Project Management, and Marketing. Afra Sarah also has some experience in Procurement and Purchasing, Production/Manufacturing, and Quality Assurance (QA).

Which industries has Afra Sarah worked in recently?

Afra Sarah has recently worked in industries like Manufacturing and Pharmaceutical.

Which business areas has Afra Sarah worked in recently?

Afra Sarah has recently worked in business areas like Marketing, Product Development, and Project Management.

What is Afra Sarah's education?

Afra Sarah holds a Bachelor in Polymer and Fiber Engineering from Auburn University and a Bachelor in Textile Engineering from Hochschule Reutlingen.

Does Afra Sarah have any certificates?

Afra Sarah has 1 certificate: Basic Latin Certificate.

What is the availability of Afra Sarah?

Afra Sarah is immediately available full-time for suitable projects.

What is the rate of Afra Sarah?

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