Arne Zühlke
Managing Director and Partner
Experience
May 2018 - Present
7 years 3 months Germany
Managing Director and Partner
Arness GmbH & Co. KG
- Founded and led a consulting firm focusing on procurement and supply chain.
- Responsible for the company’s financial management.
- Digitalized and automated processes to cut costs.
- Led optimization projects.
- Connected German companies with foreign manufacturers for shorter delivery times and lower procurement costs.
- Organized international B2B meetings.
- Conducted market analyses in Best-Cost-Country procurement markets for complex welded assemblies.
- Interim management.
May 2015 - Apr 2018
3 years Germany
Head of Supplier Development & Internal Consulting
Kroenert GmbH & Co KG | ZAE – Antriebssysteme GmbH & Co. KG
- Managed a team of 42 employees.
- Led strategic and cross-group projects; ran workshops for process improvements.
- Selected and implemented a new group-wide ERP system.
- Developed a future-ready supplier management system for the corporate group.
- Built a supplier evaluation and rating system.
- Deepened procurement internationalization in key sourcing markets.
- Established networks with international chambers and associations, including technical presentations at home and abroad (German/English).
Apr 2007 - Apr 2015
8 years 1 month Germany
Head of Purchasing
Kroenert GmbH & Co KG | ZAE – Antriebssysteme GmbH & Co. KG
- Managed and led a team of 10 employees.
- Strategically developed the purchasing area to meet corporate goals.
- Reduced purchasing lead times from 15 working days to under 5 by optimizing processes.
- Provided professional and personal training for staff.
- Adjusted staffing to handle fluctuating workloads (short-time work up to 60% overcapacity).
- Integrated purchasing of BMB AG (CH) at the Hamburg site.
- Enforced legal and contractual claims at home and abroad.
- Achieved regular six-figure savings.
- Planned and implemented construction measures within budget.
Sep 1999 - Mar 2007
7 years 7 months Germany
Strategic Purchasing
E.C.H. Will GmbH (Körber Group)
- Led a team of 5 employees.
- Drafted and negotiated contracts for the company and Körber Group.
- Evaluated, selected, and audited suppliers for various categories including electrical engineering, electronics, and IT.
- Secured regular savings through negotiations and new suppliers.
- Increased contract coverage by 10-15% annually; reduced maverick buying.
- Key user for SAP R/3 (focus on MM, FI/CO, SD).
- Managed a development project:
- Coordinated subprojects across sales, development, purchasing, and assembly.
- Negotiated and finalized cooperation agreements.
- Supported SAP R/3 rollouts.
Aug 1995 - Sep 1999
4 years 2 months Germany
Dual Study Program / Working Student
E.C.H. Will GmbH (Körber Group)
- Practical training in metal processing, technical drawing, and electro-pneumatics.
- Worked in all commercial and technical company areas.
- Completed practice-relevant project work.
Germany
PMO Multi-Project Management
Electronics Group
- Managed multi-project program with 12 subprojects in automotive, mechanical engineering, and consumer electronics.
- Implemented measures to significantly reduce inventory levels.
- Used SAP R/3 for planning.
- Introduced S&OP.
- Created a KPI dashboard.
Germany
Project Management & PMO
Retail Group
- Developed and implemented a digitization strategy to cut manual tasks.
- Built interfaces between internal SAP and logistics providers and partners.
- Introduced EDI invoicing to customers.
- Analyzed and automated processes.
- Implemented new software/tools:
- HR: Personio.
- Project management: TOPO.
- Finance: LucaNet.
- Interfaces: LobsterData.
- DMS: DocuWare.
Germany
Project Management
Sales Agency
- Internationalized the supplier base.
- Conducted requirements analyses.
- Selected and onboarded suppliers.
Germany
Project Management
Mechanical Engineering
- Developed an integrated digital printing machine.
- Coordinated international project partners, suppliers, and pilot customers.
- Responsible for development, sales, prototype construction, and procurement.
Germany
Project Management
Mechanical Engineering Group
- Implemented the PSI V9.3 ERP system as a replacement for AMS++.
- Conducted detailed requirements analyses with relevant departments.
- Coordinated, planned, and ran workshops for implementation.
- Oversaw production, purchasing, sales, and logistics.
Germany
Assistant Project Manager
Mechanical Engineering Company
- Implemented a DMS system.
- Performed requirements analysis for purchasing.
- Managed selection steps and supported the introduction in purchasing and procurement.
Languages
German
Native
English
Advanced
Spanish
Intermediate
Education
Apr 2002 - Apr 2004
Nordakademie gAG
MBA · International Marketing and Business Communication · Germany
Oct 1997 - Dec 1998
Universidad de Almería
Business Administration and Management · Spain
Aug 1995 - Sep 1999
Nordakademie gAG
Diplom-Kaufmann (FH) · Business Administration (BWL) · Germany
Certifications & licenses
Digital Business Innovator
Prince2
Axelos
Professional Scrum Master II
Scrum.org
Supplier Auditor
SSCD / ASQ
Six Sigma Black Belt
SSCD / ASQ
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