Frank Weidner - Strategic Purchasing Manager

Q: Where is Frank based?

Frank is based in Munich, Germany .

Q: What languages does Frank speak?

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

Q: How many years of experience does Frank have?

Frank has at least 14 years of experience. During this time, Frank has worked in at least 13 different roles and for 11 different companies . The average length of individual experience is 1 year . Note that Frank may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.

Q: What is Frank's latest experience?

Frank's most recent position is Strategic Purchasing Manager at Vulkan .

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

In recent years, Frank has worked for Vulkan , Ampack GmbH , ACPS Automotive GmbH , Eissmann Automotive GmbH , and China Tool Service UG .

Q: Which industries is Frank most experienced in?

Frank is most experienced in industries like Manufacturing and Automotive .

Q: Which business areas is Frank most experienced in?

Frank is most experienced in business areas like Procurement and Purchasing , Project Management , and Supply Chain Management . Frank also has some experience in Quality Assurance (QA) , Operations , and Production/Manufacturing .

Q: Which industries has Frank worked in recently?

Frank has recently worked in industries like Manufacturing and Automotive .

Q: Which business areas has Frank worked in recently?

Frank has recently worked in business areas like Procurement and Purchasing , Project Management , and Supply Chain Management .

Recommended expert

Munich, Germany

Experience

Feb 2025 - Apr 2025

3 months

Herne, Germany

Strategic Purchasing Manager

Vulkan

Development of the supplier portfolio: steel castings, C-parts, composite shafts
Advising on the implementation of procurement strategies: risk & cost management
Analysis of the global procurement market and existing suppliers
Consulting on internal projects

Sep 2024 - Jan 2025

5 months

Königsbrunn, Germany

Strategic Purchasing Consultant

Ampack GmbH

Establishing strategic purchasing within the company
Analysis and optimization of procurement processes
Drafting and negotiating framework agreements and purchasing terms
Analysis and restructuring of the supplier portfolio
Development of suitable procurement strategies for each commodity group
Evaluation of existing suppliers and implementation of new supplier relationships

Apr 2023 - Sep 2023

6 months

Ingersheim, Germany

Director Commodity Management

ACPS Automotive GmbH

Coordination of global commodity management and ensuring information exchange within strategic purchasing
Development, rollout, and adherence to the global commodity strategy
Budget responsibility for production materials regarding defined processes and suitable external and internal cost reduction measures
Development, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of a price-recovery strategy as a measure for the crisis year 2022
Member of the steering committee for rapid decision-making during escalations
Establishing and expanding a future-oriented supplier panel for all commodity groups of the corporate group
Setting up supplier relationship management to define measures that improve future collaboration and minimize supply chain issues
Supporting process digitalization (e.g., introduction of SRM portal, cost analysis software, and savings tracking)
Monitoring all team awarding decisions and responsibility for building and developing a high-performance commodity management team through training measures
Responsibility for the strategic direction of commodity management by defining standards considering future market trends and corporate guidelines
Promoting near-shoring measures and developing logistics concepts in close coordination with relevant departments
Ensuring team-oriented collaboration with other departments to maintain and advance the company's competitiveness

May 2022 - Mar 2023

11 months

Ingersheim, Germany

Commodity Manager

ACPS Automotive GmbH

Global commodity responsibility for electronics, CNC parts, and C-parts
Creating a management overview of all global commodity volumes per production site
Project planning and cost/benefit analysis of recurring commodity demands and project requirements
Negotiating quotes regarding cost, delivery time, technical options, and quality
Purchasing commodity volumes in line with purchasing guidelines from successful testing to product/production launch
Defining standards for recurring purchases in collaboration with manufacturing engineering
Contractual commitment with preferred suppliers through Master Supply Agreements (MSAs) and all other required contract components, including supplier approval
Crisis management in procurement
Close coordination of plant requirements
Reducing lead times
Initiating special measures
Supply chain tracking
Defining a strategic supplier portfolio/evaluation based on specified KPIs
Overseeing and supporting global manufacturing processes to implement a modern, production-friendly state of the art
Managing the supplier chain to implement extended payment terms (Supply Chain Finance)

Mar 2022 - Apr 2022

2 months

Ingersheim, Germany

Project Buyer

ACPS Automotive GmbH

Advising on all purchasing-relevant matters such as inquiries, orders, price comparisons, evaluations, filing, schedule tracking, and administrative tasks
Selecting project-specific development suppliers in coordination with commodity sourcing from the pool of approved suppliers
Requesting quotes
Comparing quotes
Price negotiations
Assisting in resolving technical queries up to feasibility discussions with suppliers
ERP data maintenance for new purchased parts and changes
Handling tool/fixture orders, initial samples, and pre-series orders
Monitoring purchasing schedules within project timelines from inquiry to internal initial sample approval

Sep 2021 - Feb 2022

6 months

Ingersheim, Germany

Commodity Manager

ACPS Automotive GmbH

Worldwide commodity responsibility for the product groups of plastics, elastomers, stamped and bent parts, and laser-cut parts
Creating a management overview of all global commodity volumes per production site
Defining a strategic supplier portfolio/evaluation based on specific KPIs
Negotiating offers regarding costs, delivery times, technical options, and quality
Overseeing and supporting global manufacturing processes to implement a modern, production-appropriate state-of-the-art technology
Managing the supply chain to implement extended payment terms (Supply Chain Finance)
Securing contracts with preferred suppliers through master supply agreements
Defining standards for recurring purchases in collaboration with manufacturing engineering
Purchasing-side project management regarding production relocation from supplier to supplier
Legal resolution of disputes together with Legal

Apr 2021 - Aug 2021

5 months

Bad Urach, Germany

Commodity Manager Tools

Eissmann Automotive GmbH

Building up the new tools commodity area
Creating a global procurement strategy for injection molding tools
Selecting strategic suppliers including framework agreement negotiations
Implementing KPI evaluations in tool purchasing (focus on payment terms and conditions)
Supporting project purchasing in tool procurement (escalation level)
Cost calculation of injection molding tools during the acquisition phase
Developing a benchmark cost database for offer evaluation and early cost estimation
Cost negotiations for new tools and tool modifications

Oct 2018 - Aug 2020

1 year 11 months

Dortmund, Germany

Project Manager

Wilo SE

Leading the project to move all in-house mechanical processing and coating of parts to suppliers in Europe, including selling and relocating existing machines and equipment
Planning personnel and managing the project team (12 members)
Searching for and developing suitable suppliers
Defining supply chains and collaborating with existing and new suppliers
Negotiating contracts with new suppliers and machine buyers
Setting quality requirements for the new suppliers
Defining a sampling process for around 800+ parts and variants
Tracking the sampling progress
Creating and implementing a ramp-down scenario of in-house production and ramp-up at the supplier
Introducing a new packaging and logistics concept (container management) at the suppliers
Tracking schedules and costs
Identifying future savings potential with the new suppliers
Conducting project meetings and coordinating with management of individual departments
Monitoring pre-production to build up safety stock
Prioritizing samplings according to progress and the needs of assembly

Jan 2018 - Jun 2018

6 months

Bietigheim-Bissingen, Germany

Purchasing-Consultant

Valeo GmbH

Relocating production from one supplier (plant closure) to new suppliers
Collecting and cataloging all relevant tool, machine, equipment, and process data at the existing supplier
Acting as contact person for the responsible buyers at all customer plants
Coordinating production and building up a safety stock
Supporting new suppliers during the ramp-up of the relocated processes

Aug 2017 - Jan 2018

6 months

Metzingen, Germany

Technical Buyer (Interim)

Sauter Feinmechanik GmbH

Searching for and building up suppliers in the area of casting and mechanical processing of precision parts, focusing on Eastern Europe and Asia (China, Taiwan, and India)
Purchasing and procuring motor components, parts based on drawings, and manufacturing services
Developing a material group management in purchasing and a matching supplier strategy
Building a supplier pool for batch sizes of 1-100 pieces

Mar 2017 - May 2017

3 months

Shenzhen, China

Tool and Project Manager

Quin GmbH / BMW

Optimization of existing injection molding tools
Schedule tracking and technical support for part and tool changes
Customer-side project management for optimizing supplier production and manufacturing processes
Monitoring the transfer of manufacturing processes to subcontractors
On-site contact for the end customer (automotive OEM)
Preparation for a potential full production relocation

Jul 2016 - Present

9 years 8 months

Alfdorf, Germany

Managing Director

China Tool Service UG

External services in procurement, purchasing and project management
Procurement of injection molding, die casting and stamping-bending tools
Support in global supplier search
Schedule and supplier tracking

Feb 2015 - Jul 2016

1 year 6 months

Rutesheim, Germany

Tool Buyer

Quin GmbH

Global sourcing of injection molding and preform tools as well as hot riveting systems for in-house production in Romania, China and Mexico
Tool tracking during new production and modifications
Establishment of supplier structure for injection molding tools in China
Purchase work package lead in overall projects
Tool cost calculation and price negotiation with suppliers
Internal and OEM cost validation of tool costs
Search and development of new suppliers

Nov 2011 - Jan 2015

3 years 3 months

Winnenden, Germany

Technical Buyer

Alfred Kärcher GmbH & Co. KG

Project-based procurement of injection molded, deep-drawn and rotational parts including required tools
Transfer of manufacturing processes and assembly from in-house production to suppliers
Support R&D regarding manufacturing-friendly part design
Support for plants with supplier issues (quality, delivery delays, line stoppages)
Schedule and cost tracking in procurement projects
Search and development of new suppliers

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 (14.5 years) and Automotive (3 years).

Manufacturing

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 Procurement (14.5 years), Project Management (11 years), Supply Chain Management (9.5 years), and Quality Assurance (3 years).

Procurement

Project Management

Supply Chain Management

Quality Assurance

Skills

Automotive
Mechanical Engineering
Consumer Goods
Precision Mechanics
Food
Shipbuilding
Erp Systems: Sap R3/s4 Mm, Microsoft Navision, Psi Penta
Cad: General Cad Knowledge
Office: Ms Office (Outlook, Excel, Word, Powerpoint, Project), Lotus Notes
Plm: Cim Plm
Cost Analysis: Valuedesk, Schmale
Srm: Jaggaer One, Pool4tool
Team Leadership: 2 Years Leading A 12-person Project Team
Director: 6 Months Director Of A Global Commodity Team (5 Locations)
Functional Leadership: 3 Years Leading Global Commodity Teams
Cnc Machining, Forged & Cast Parts, Subcontract Machining, Electronics, Plastics, Tools, Sintered Parts, C-parts, Stamped, Bent & Laser-cut Parts
Market Analysis, Strategy Development, Supplier Evaluation, Contract Management
Risk And Escalation Management, Cost Management, Production Relocation
Negotiation, Tracking, Bottleneck Management, Cost Recovery, Process Digitalization, Design-to-cost
Supplier Sourcing: Selecting And Evaluating Suitable Suppliers
Supplier Development: Building And Expanding A Supplier Panel
Supplier Relationship Management: Defining Measures To Improve Future Collaboration And Minimize Supply Chain Issues

Languages

German

Native

English

Advanced

Education

Sep 2012 - May 2014

IHK Region Stuttgart

Technical Business Administrator · Stuttgart, Germany

Sep 2008 - Nov 2011

Alfred Kärcher GmbH & Co. KG

Toolmaker, specializing in mold technology · Winnenden, Germany

Profile

Created

May 2025

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Frequently asked questions

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

Where is Frank based?

Frank is based in Munich, Germany.

What languages does Frank speak?

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

How many years of experience does Frank have?

Frank has at least 14 years of experience. During this time, Frank has worked in at least 13 different roles and for 11 different companies. The average length of individual experience is 1 year. Note that Frank may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.

What roles would Frank be best suited for?

Based on recent experience, Frank would be well-suited for roles such as: Strategic Purchasing Manager, Strategic Purchasing Consultant, Director Commodity Management.

What is Frank's latest experience?

Frank's most recent position is Strategic Purchasing Manager at Vulkan.

What companies has Frank worked for in recent years?

In recent years, Frank has worked for Vulkan, Ampack GmbH, ACPS Automotive GmbH, Eissmann Automotive GmbH, and China Tool Service UG.

Which industries is Frank most experienced in?

Frank is most experienced in industries like Manufacturing and Automotive.

Which business areas is Frank most experienced in?

Frank is most experienced in business areas like Procurement and Purchasing, Project Management, and Supply Chain Management. Frank also has some experience in Quality Assurance (QA), Operations, and Production/Manufacturing.

Which industries has Frank worked in recently?

Frank has recently worked in industries like Manufacturing and Automotive.

Which business areas has Frank worked in recently?

Frank has recently worked in business areas like Procurement and Purchasing, Project Management, and Supply Chain Management.

What is Frank's education?

Frank attended IHK Region Stuttgart for Technical Business Administrator.

What is the availability of Frank?

Frank is immediately available full-time for suitable projects.

What is the rate of Frank?

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