5 Questions With Interim Manager Herbert Biedermann For Procurement And Supply Chain Management
In this exclusive interview, Herbert Biedermann, an interim manager with over 40 years of professional experience, discusses the current challenges and opportunities in procurement and supply chain management. With a clear focus on technology, leadership, and strong supplier partnerships, he shares his strategies for success.
What current trends do you see in procurement and supply chain management, and how do they affect the industry?
Right now, digitalization and sustainability are shaping trends in procurement and supply chain management. Technologies like AI and blockchain are revolutionizing transparency and efficiency, not only in procurement but also in enabling faster and more precise responses to market changes.
For companies, this means that we need to not only optimize costs but also develop innovative solutions to remain competitively sustainable. Additionally, local and sustainable collaboration with suppliers is becoming increasingly important—strong partnerships foster both resilience and innovation.
These trends continuously motivate me to develop creative strategies for my clients that generate measurable economic and ecological value. It’s definitely an exciting time to actively shape the future.
How do you approach optimizing procurement processes, and which methods have proven particularly effective?
When optimizing procurement processes, I rely on a thorough current-state analysis to identify various weaknesses. E-procurement systems are indispensable for me as they promote the necessary transparency and efficiency.
Moreover, supplier management is very important to me—close partnerships on equal footing often yield the best and most sustainable results. I also categorize expenses and develop targeted sourcing strategies from these categories.
Regular training and open feedback mechanisms ensure that, as an interim manager, I can work with the client team with competence, flexibility, and the necessary adaptability in an increasingly global and highly dynamic market.
What challenges do you most frequently encounter in supply chain management, and how do you overcome them?
As an interim manager in supply chain management, I often face challenges such as unexpected demand fluctuations and significant supply bottlenecks.
To overcome these challenges, I focus on close collaboration with suppliers (even across different hierarchy levels) and transparent communication within the team. I also utilize current analysis tools to recognize trends early and make data-driven decisions.
Flexibility and agility are crucial in quickly responding to necessary changes. These challenges continually inspire me to develop innovative solutions that deliver both short-term success and long-term improvements for the team.
In your opinion, how can technology improve efficiency and transparency in the supply chain?
As an experienced interim manager, I would like to emphasize that cutting-edge technologies are essential to sustainably improving supply chain efficiency and transparency.
IoT devices (such as sensors, smart home devices, wearables, or industrial machines) already allow us to track goods in real-time, optimize planning, and quickly respond to potential disruptions.
In addition, blockchain provides a transparent and tamper-proof record of all transactions, which strengthens trust between customers and suppliers.
Furthermore, currently available software solutions promote communication and information exchange, enabling faster, informed decision-making.
This is how modern, agile, and responsive supply chains can be designed in dynamic markets.
What skills and qualities do you think are particularly important for a successful interim manager in procurement and supply chain management?
That’s a very interesting question, and reflecting on decades of successful experience (in automotive, industry, retail, and energy markets), I’m happy to answer.
For a successful interim manager in procurement and supply chain management, analytical skills, strategic thinking, and action are crucial. Communication and negotiation skills (including contract management) are essential for convincing stakeholders and achieving optimal results. Additionally, high flexibility and adaptability help me respond quickly to changes. Moreover, a strong leadership ability is important to me, enabling me to motivate teams to perform at their best and successfully implement change.
With over 40 years of experience and great passion, I know these qualities make the difference between short-term success and sustainable improvement for the client.
Short Bio – Herbert Biedermann
Herbert Biedermann is an interim manager specializing in strategic and operational procurement as well as supply chain management, with over 40 years of professional experience. His extensive expertise includes areas such as value analysis, contract management, procurement controlling, and quality management. Herbert Biedermann has held leadership positions at global companies such as EnBW, Knorr Bremse, and Valeo, gaining international experience in numerous countries. Since 2019, he has worked as a freelance interim manager, bringing his extensive knowledge in procurement, supply chain management, and process optimization to his clients.
Contact:
Kloepfel Group
Damir Berberovic
Tel.: 0211 941 984 33 | Mail: rendite@kloepfel-consulting.com