Stefan Rinderknecht
Leadership Expert | Business Mentor | Speaker
Experience
Leadership Expert | Business Mentor | Speaker
Leadership Expert | Business Mentor | Speaker
- Advising and mentoring high-growth companies with a focus on leadership, customer focus and efficiency
- Developing and implementing scalable structures based on Amazon and Google principles, adapted to the reality of German companies
- Formats: consulting, interim management, executive sparring, keynotes & workshops
Sabbatical
Sabbatical
- Break to focus on family, personal development, further education, self-reflection, health, fitness and travel
Managing Director Hardware & Services DACH; Head of Retail Partnerships, Devices & Services DACH
Google Germany GmbH
Developed and implemented the retail and distribution strategy for Google hardware in the German market
Acquired and managed strategic retail partners (e.g., Expert, Euronics, MediaMarktSaturn)
Set up and expanded a dedicated B2B sales channel to market Nest products through distributors and partners
Worked closely with marketing, sales, legal and international stakeholders
Managed presence at key industry trade shows (IFA, KOOP, Euronics Convention)
Built a new B2B channel with €15 M in revenue in the first year
Increased revenue by €20 M through new retail partnerships within 12 months
Achieved 80% growth in the Nest business by expanding into new sales channels
Co-responsible for positioning Pixel as the third-strongest smartphone brand in Germany
Established a stable partner network for the nationwide distribution of Google hardware
Country Manager Amazon Devices Germany; Principal New Business Development, Devices (B2B2C Channel Europe)
Amazon EU SARL
Developed a new B2B2C sales concept for Alexa devices in various sectors like energy, banking, loyalty, hospitality and education
Led market development in Germany and scaled to France, Italy and Spain
Onboarded new distributors and built cross-industry go-to-market strategies
Collaborated with sales, marketing, legal and business development at the EU level
Provided sparring and mentoring to the German retail team to establish new growth paths
Launched a third sales channel for Alexa devices in the B2B2C model focused on business customers in new industries
Achieved triple-digit annual revenue growth and mid double-digit million revenue within three years
Opened new vertical markets (energy, banking, hospitality, loyalty) through targeted sales partnerships
Scaled the sales model in France, Italy and Spain, including distribution expansion
Established a cross-brand sales concept to integrate Alexa into enterprise services
Interim Sales Director Fasthost
Stefan Rinderknecht Unternehmensberatung
Led a 7-person sales team with €23 M revenue responsibility
Harmonized processes, tools and structures between the UK and headquarters in Germany
Adjusted processes, tools and team sizes as part of the reorganization
Successfully reorganized and integrated Fasthost into the IONOS system while reducing costs
Increased operational efficiency through process alignment and staff optimization
Senior Advisor – Herax Partners LLP
Stefan Rinderknecht Unternehmensberatung
Conducted a comprehensive market analysis of the German loyalty market
Evaluated business models and customer loyalty platforms for M&A relevance
Identified strategic targets for potential acquisitions
Market and competitive input was directly integrated into the strategic decision to acquire a target company
Head of Key Account Management
REWARDS Arvato Services GmbH
Managed 16 international loyalty clients with annual revenues of around €50 M
Expanded the full-service offering for reward programs including logistics, procurement, IT, customer service and webshop
Reorganized the KAM structure to unlock cross- and upselling opportunities
Developed an affiliate model to partially refinance points transactions
Responsible for budget, resource planning, customer satisfaction and performance contributions
Increased revenue by 10% p.a. through product range optimization, process improvements and upselling
Established a new business model for partner integration and monetizing digital customer touchpoints
Successfully reorganized the division in response to changing market conditions, including adjusting resource structure and restructuring the team
Contributed to scaling loyalty programs for well-known companies in Europe
Senior Manager Retail & Loyalty Partnerships
Lufthansa Group
Developed and implemented the international retail partner strategy (incl. telecom, energy, retail, tourism)
Led the Key Account team and managed global partnerships in 35+ countries
Designed and rolled out a white-label loyalty program including CRM, reward logistics, customer service and webshop
Developed and implemented the Lufthansa Shop concept at German airports
Led strategic growth projects with corporate functions at executive board level
Managed the project for reorganizing the Miles & More program
Established over 65 international retail partnerships with annual revenue growth in double digits
Scaled retail revenue to over €17 M p.a. while improving efficiency
Created an independent white-label program for Marriott Rewards in the EU, generating €1 M in revenue in the first year
Reduced program costs by 15% through redesigning benefits for status customers
Launched Lufthansa Worldshop as an omnichannel retail brand with airport stores and an online channel
Managing Director
Rinderknecht Consulting
- Conducted market analyses and go-to-market strategies for Telenorma (Venezuela, Colombia)
- Developed concrete measures to align sales and marketing
Management Consultant; Project Manager
COP Consulting Partners
- Served as management consultant and project manager for projects at Deutsche Telekom, SONY and Bauknecht
- Developed sales and trade marketing strategies as well as process reorganization
Senior Consultant; Project Manager
KPMG Consulting
- Senior Consultant and Project Manager for a strategy project for Kappa Germany and supply chain optimization for Lucent Technologies
- Developed a CRM concept for Tuffy Campina
Management Consultant
HPP Consulting
- Management Consultant and Project Manager for strategy, marketing, and sales projects at Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen
- Responsible for intern and associate recruiting
Summary
Growth-focused sales and transformation expert with big-tech background – specialized in customer focus, scaling and efficient structures.
Nearly three decades of leadership experience in international corporations such as Google, Amazon, Lufthansa, Arvato and IONOS – always at the intersection of strategy, sales, business development and strategic transformation.
Extensive international experience in Europe, Latin America, Australia and the USA, as well as business relations in Africa and Asia. Raised in Venezuela, with a deep understanding of different markets, mindsets and languages.
Proven success in building new sales channels (B2B, B2C, B2B2C), launching digital business models and scaling customer-oriented processes. Built Miles & More’s international retail business with global partnerships. Developed a European B2B2C sales channel for Alexa at Amazon. Co-responsible for positioning Pixel as the third-strongest smartphone brand in Germany.
Cross-industry expertise in technology, consumer electronics, e-commerce, loyalty and telecommunications. Led teams of up to 20 and held P&L responsibility up to €50 M.
Strength in developing partner ecosystems, reorganizing established structures and establishing scalable sales models. Working style: clear, reliable, solution-oriented – with a solid understanding of C-level decision-making.
Strong in strategy and concept, with a pronounced hands-on mentality and the ability to transform and sustainably develop complex customer structures.
I stand for clarity, trust and accountability for results. I promote collaborative teamwork across silos and create structures where people take ownership – with measurable impact on performance, customer proximity and growth.
Skills
Microsoft Office
Google Workspace
Golf
Hiking
Traveling
Lifelong Learning
Languages
Education
University of Münster (Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität)
Diploma in Business Administration · Münster, Germany
Hoechst AG & Chamber of Industry and Commerce Frankfurt am Main
Industrial Clerk · Frankfurt, Germany
German School Colegio Humboldt
Caracas, Venezuela
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