Interim Head of Technical Procurement

Riha Wesergold Getränke Gmbh & Co. Kg, Rinteln

Responsibilities

• Management of technical procurement with 4 employees
• Tendering, negotiating and finalizing the gas requirements for 2025 / 2026 and 2027
• Electricity procurement for 2024 and 2025
• Feasibility study project for a photovoltaic system at the Rinteln, Dodow and Waibstadt sites. Tendering and negotiation with potential partners
• Purchase of fossil fuels: diesel, gas and electricity as well as CO2 certificates
• Technical gases incl. CO2
• Project to realign cleaning and disinfectant supplies for 3 sites, and to optimize the storage of these hazardous materials
• Cost-effectiveness calculation for the gas turbine (steam and electricity)
• Fleet: car concept on conventional drive vs. electric mobility
• Procurement of 29 new tractor units
• Two major maintenance projects: renewing the exterior cladding of a high-bay warehouse, renewing the hardware and software for warehouse and high-bay logistics
• Negotiated framework, maintenance and consignment stock agreements linked to the respective flat fee costs for the four main machinery suppliers (Big Four), including Capex and MRO
• As Head of Technical Procurement, played a key role in addressing performance issues during the commissioning of a new machine
• Negotiated and completed the contract for converting three machines for the site in Spain

Successes:

• Savings in the seven-figure range Return of Interim Manager (RoIM): factor 4.7

• Lead negotiator, discussions with suppliers on price adjustments and framework agreements in the area of injection and extrusion molding raw materials, stainless steel clamps, pallets and corrugated board packaging
• Lead negotiator for the procurement of two injection molding machines including robotics and process technology

Successes:

• Savings in the mid six-figure range
• Return of Interim Manager (RoIM): factor 1.7

• Led the purchasing department until the new hire
• Established a new energy procurement
• Technical procurement, negotiating and supporting the drafting of service, architect and maintenance contracts
• Created the 2023 budget
• Negotiated the three main raw materials: glucose, gelatin, sugar
• Handover and onboarding of the new head of purchasing

Successes:

• Secured supply
• Kept purchasing costs low

• Negotiated Forster convenience raw materials for 2021/2022, including finding alternative suppliers (Teflon-fried pork, beef, veal and poultry, canned goods, dairy products, dough products, sugar, nutritional ingredients)
• Sourced organic poultry meat for a new product line, including helping with recipe development
• Sourced QS poultry meat (chicken) in Eastern Europe for a new product line
• Tendered, negotiated and rolled out employee rental workwear, and set up a controlling system and defined key KPIs
• Analyzed and consolidated technical, facility and craft services
• Sourced and negotiated cleaning agents and updated RHB/packaging
• Searched for and sourced plastic trays for meat batter metal detection

Achievements:

• Ensured product availability
• Minimized price increases

• Sourced fried poultry meat
• Sourced and negotiated hygiene products (nitrile gloves and hairnets)
• Updated RHB/packaging area

Achievements:

• Savings in the low six-figure range
• Return of Interim Manager (RoIM): factor 10

• Post merger: Restructured procurement business units into a single central unit, unified processes, and created a strong team from four business areas (strategic central procurement)
• Achieved maximum synergies in non-food procurement (ingredients, packaging, logistics, energy, labor, and hygiene) across the Vion Food Group
• Covered vacancy for the Global Head of Procurement role, including handover and two months of support for the new Global Head
• Covered vacancy for the Lead Buyer Team Food position
• Led the annual reviews for 2020/2021

Achievements:

• €560,000 savings in packaging procurement in the Solomon Islands
• Return on Interim Manager (RoIM): factor 4

• Analyzed bids for packaging tenders
• Prepared and led annual reviews in the packaging area
• Finalized and implemented annual review outcomes
• Learned workflows and projects to be ready to step in for the department head or strategic buyer in case of illness or absence

Achievements:

• Savings in the six-figure range
• Return on Interim Manager (RoIM): factor 8

• Member of supply chain management (internal/external logistics) for procurement
• Analyzed material flows for packaging in the high-risk area
• Goal: meet hygiene requirements and adjust packaging materials
• Warehouse cost analysis for raw materials and cost calculation for a logistics service provider (e.g., consignment warehouse)
• HR recruiting: sourcing buyers and conducting hiring interviews
• Restructured the procurement department
• Prepared and led the 2019 annual reviews
• Mid-year price negotiations with A-suppliers in H2 2018
• Improved internal communication between procurement and related departments
• Onboarded the new head of procurement
• Conducted supplier audits
• Supported internal audits
• Projects:
• Standardized SpoonCaps outer packaging
• Sourced suppliers for SnapCaps
• Issued a carton tender
• Workshop on oilseeds in raw materials
• Sourced a co-packer for baby care follow-on formula

Achievements:

• Savings in the seven-figure range
• Return on Interim Manager (RoIM): factor 3.5

• Analysis of the supplier, raw material (including fats and oils), and packaging portfolio for cost-saving potential
• Review of the purchasing department structures and possible staffing adjustments for cost optimization
• Process analysis and optimization proposals for purchasing and goods receipts of raw and packaging materials
• Identification of cost-saving potentials
• Development of a concept to implement these potentials in procurement markets

• Project lead for launching a new product range under the 'Dymatize' brand; analysis of in-house material and production costs; contract manufacturing negotiations with full disclosure of conversion costs/open-book calculation. Goal: make-or-buy decision
• Tenders, negotiation, and contracting of services in print media and parcel delivery for 2016 and 2017
• Travel management: negotiated special rates with hotel chains and car rental companies
• Tenders, negotiation, and contracting of cardboard, film, and plastic can materials
• Development of a concept to structure the purchasing department
• Supplier evaluation and coaching of the strategic buyer
• Support of operational purchasing activities for raw and packaging materials

Achievements:

• Savings in the seven-figure range
• Return on Interim Manager (RoIM): factor 2.2