Bernd Gruschka - Interim Manager / Freelancer

Q: Where is Bernd based?

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

Q: What languages does Bernd speak?

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

Q: How many years of experience does Bernd have?

Bernd has at least 36 years of experience. During this time, Bernd has worked in at least 8 different roles and for 8 different companies . The average length of individual experience is 5 years and 6 months . Note that Bernd may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.

Q: What is Bernd's latest experience?

Bernd's most recent position is Interim Manager / Freelancer at Self-employed as Interim Manager / Freelancer .

Q: What companies has Bernd worked for in recent years?

In recent years, Bernd has worked for Self-employed as Interim Manager / Freelancer .

Q: Which industries is Bernd most experienced in?

Bernd is most experienced in industries like Manufacturing , Energy , and Chemical . Bernd also has some experience in Aerospace and Defense , Construction , and Healthcare .

Q: Which business areas is Bernd most experienced in?

Bernd is most experienced in business areas like Procurement and Purchasing , Supply Chain Management , and Project Management . Bernd also has some experience in Logistics and Operations .

Q: Which industries has Bernd worked in recently?

Bernd has recently worked in industries like Aerospace and Defense , Chemical , and Construction .

Q: Which business areas has Bernd worked in recently?

Bernd has recently worked in business areas like Procurement and Purchasing and Supply Chain Management .

Recommended expert

Viernheim, Germany

Experience

Dec 2020 - Present

5 years 3 months

Interim Manager / Freelancer

Self-employed as Interim Manager / Freelancer

Assignment at Zschimmer & Schwarz in Lahnstein as Head of Technical Procurement, including purchasing of large technical components and systems (CapEx) and handling all related processes in SAP HANA
Assignment at Becton Dickinson in Kelberg as Senior Manager Advanced Procurement: building a procurement department for the development area, defining processes, writing job descriptions, conducting candidate interviews and selection, developing the onboarding plan, and executing all procurement activities
Assignment at BMI Deutschland GmbH in Oberursel as Functional Lead Procurement to Pay for the D-A-CH region: managing all procurement activities of the group in the German-speaking area and project responsibility for the SAP S/4HANA implementation
Assignment at Volocopter GmbH in Bruchsal as CapEx Purchasing Manager: issuing tenders, selecting suppliers, negotiating and awarding contracts, and providing contract advice for the procurement of the entire machinery needed to launch series production of electric helicopters
Assignment at Honeywell Smart Metering in Lorsch as Supply Chain Manager: supporting and deputizing for the EMEA Supply Chain Manager, and working on the SAP/MM rollout in Europe

Jul 2017 - Nov 2020

3 years 5 months

Wiesbaden, Germany

Director of Strategic Procurement, Authorized Officer

Kalle GmbH

Responsibility for all international procurement activities of the Kalle Group
Creating and monitoring the global procurement savings budget

Jan 2014 - Jun 2017

3 years 6 months

Göppingen, Germany

Head of Purchasing, Technical Equipment

Bader GmbH & Co. KG

Building and coordinating the central technical and IT procurement for the Bader Group worldwide, with a focus on machinery and capital expenditures (CapEx)
Integrating new production sites into central procurement
Realigning contract management, including framework agreements

Jan 2011 - Dec 2013

3 years

Wörrstadt, Germany

Head of Procurement

juwi Wind GmbH

Managing procurement of wind turbines and grid components during times of high demand and supply shortages in the product market
Reorganizing and streamlining the procurement of major components

Jan 2008 - Dec 2010

3 years

Mannheim, Germany

Head of Strategic and Operational Procurement, Planning, and Logistics

Karl Berrang GmbH

Standardizing SCM processes, reporting, and framework agreements
Setting up and structuring a central procurement department
Implementing process improvements, especially inventory optimization, increasing turnover rates, and improving delivery accuracy

Jan 2005 - Dec 2007

3 years

Weinheim, Germany

Head of Purchasing Methods, Processes, and Supplier Management EMEA

Freudenberg GmbH & Co. KG

Standardization and centralization of purchasing processes in Europe
Design and implementation of a Supply Management Cockpit (KPIs)
Purchasing responsibility for the group's e-procurement system
Establishment and leadership of the supplier development department

Jul 1991 - Dec 2004

13 years 6 months

Various Positions including Head of International Commodity Management, Head of Purchasing and Planning, Specialist Buyer

ABB Group

Head of International Commodity Management (2000–2004): Purchasing Director Europe, coordination of cooperation among country representatives, advisor on contractual issues and strategic sourcing for various ABB companies worldwide
Head of Purchasing and Planning (1993–2000): Project procurement of technical equipment including IT hardware and software, CapEx and associated service contracts; SAP R/3 key user and specialist project manager for the MM module during the SAP R/3 implementation; establishment of SCM controlling; initiation and development of the first automated on-time delivery measurement (OTD)
Specialist Buyer Project Procurement (1991–1992)

Jan 1990 - Jun 1991

1 year 6 months

Darmstadt, Germany

Planning and Technical Purchasing, Electronic Components

Carl-Schenck AG

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 (28 years), Energy (16.5 years), Chemical (8.5 years), Aerospace and Defense (5 years), Construction (5 years), and Healthcare (5 years).

Manufacturing

Energy

Chemical

Aerospace and Defense

Construction

Healthcare

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 Procurement (36 years), Supply Chain Management (24.5 years), Project Management (13.5 years), Logistics (3 years), and Operations (3 years).

Procurement

Supply Chain Management

Project Management

Logistics

Operations

Summary

Assertive and a strong communicator, goal- and results-oriented procurement manager. Excellent contract knowledge, especially with large and complex processes. Highly skilled in negotiations.

Main areas of expertise: technical procurement, project purchasing/EPC, capital expenditures (CapEx), as well as indirect purchasing and services.

Key user of SAP ERP 6.0, MM (Materials Management) module, with in-depth practical knowledge of the related SAP processes, including interfaces to FI, CO, and SD.

Proficient in MS Excel, including pivot analyses. Supplier auditor according to VDA 6.3. Thinks and acts strategically with an international network. Multiple awards for achieved savings. Hands-on mentality.

Skills

Successful Restructuring And Optimization Of Procurement Organizations In Various Setups
Project Lead For The Mm Module In The Implementation Of Sap R/3 And S/4hana

Languages

German

Native

English

Advanced

Education

Oct 1983 - Jun 1989

University of Mannheim

Diploma in Economics, specialization in Logistics · Economics · Mannheim, Germany

Oct 1979 - Jun 1983

University of Heidelberg

Teaching degree in Mathematics and Physics · Heidelberg, Germany

Oct 1969 - Jun 1978

Albertus Magnus High School, Viernheim

Abitur (general higher education entrance qualification) · Viernheim, Germany

Certifications & licenses

SAP MM User Certificate

Supplier Auditor according to VDA 6.3

Profile

Created

November 2024

Last Update

May 2025

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Frequently asked questions

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

Where is Bernd based?

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

What languages does Bernd speak?

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

How many years of experience does Bernd have?

Bernd has at least 36 years of experience. During this time, Bernd has worked in at least 8 different roles and for 8 different companies. The average length of individual experience is 5 years and 6 months. Note that Bernd may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.

What roles would Bernd be best suited for?

Based on recent experience, Bernd would be well-suited for roles such as: Interim Manager / Freelancer, Director of Strategic Procurement, Authorized Officer, Head of Purchasing, Technical Equipment.

What is Bernd's latest experience?

Bernd's most recent position is Interim Manager / Freelancer at Self-employed as Interim Manager / Freelancer.

What companies has Bernd worked for in recent years?

In recent years, Bernd has worked for Self-employed as Interim Manager / Freelancer.

Which industries is Bernd most experienced in?

Bernd is most experienced in industries like Manufacturing, Energy, and Chemical. Bernd also has some experience in Aerospace and Defense, Construction, and Healthcare.

Which business areas is Bernd most experienced in?

Bernd is most experienced in business areas like Procurement and Purchasing, Supply Chain Management, and Project Management. Bernd also has some experience in Logistics and Operations.

Which industries has Bernd worked in recently?

Bernd has recently worked in industries like Aerospace and Defense, Chemical, and Construction.

Which business areas has Bernd worked in recently?

Bernd has recently worked in business areas like Procurement and Purchasing and Supply Chain Management.

What is Bernd's education?

Bernd holds a Master in Economics from University of Mannheim.

Does Bernd have any certificates?

Bernd has 2 certificates. These include: SAP MM User Certificate and Supplier Auditor according to VDA 6.3.

What is the availability of Bernd?

Bernd is immediately available part-time for suitable projects.

What is the rate of Bernd?

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