Daniel Neumann

> Lead strategic procurement across all indirect categories and outsourcing services for DS Smith’s Packaging, Paper & Recycling sites in Germany & Switzerland and managing multi-million $ spend. * Accountable for indirect spend across IT, Fleet, Facilities & Property, HR, Corporate Services, Travel, Professional & Financial Services and Outsourcing Services. * Recognised in a global townhall for successfully supporting the implementation of a complex HR services solution in Germany (>10m€ spend). * Supporting global category strategies with measurable impact on sustainability and efficiency. * Achieved sustainable cost improvement through strategic sourcing and supplier consolidation. * Contributed to global category strategies (EMEA-wide) for innovation, ESG & process optimization. * Delivering digital procurement initiatives incl. e-Procurement, SRM-development, process improvement. * In addition I was also leading 3-years sourcing speciality paper and cardboard in Germany with a multi-million € spend. 🚀 Result: Delivered measurable business value through cost optimisation, supplier consolidation, procurement transformation and stakeholder partnership across.

> Lead the site purchasing team and ensured alignment with global procurement standards and category strategies on the transactional Level. * Oversaw all Site purchasing activities, driving process efficiency and compliance. * Lead and enable team members as a first-line manager. * Managed supplier relationships, negotiated local contracts, and supported cost- & process-optimization initiatives. * Introduced digital tools and KPI-driven performance tracking to improve transparency and accountability. * Partnered cross-functionally with operations, finance, logistics, HR and engineering to secure reliable supply and operational excellence. 🚀 Result: Established the site as a benchmark for standardized purchasing practices within the region.

> Supported the General Manager in business planning, project management, and operational decision-making. * Prepared executive analyses and management reports for strategic and financial steering. * Coordinated cross-department initiatives to improve efficiency and communication. * Contributed to site-wide purchasing and logistics projects, laying the foundation for later leadership responsibilities. 🚀 Results: Strengthened cross-functional collaboration and improved decision-making through data-driven insights - acting as a bridge between management, operations and finance.

> Deliver trainings and workshops for professionals and future leaders. Focus on turning real-world experience into practical learning outcomes. * Teaching topics include logistic processes, sourcing concepts, value chain creation, and sustainabil-sourcing. * Combine academic frameworks with hands-on procurement & SCM experience. * Develop tailored learning materials and case studies reflecting real business challenges. * Guide participants in applying 80/20 thinking, process optimization, and stakeholder management principles. * Regularly collaborate with institutions and chambers of commerce to align training content with current industry standards. 🚀 Result: Consistently recognized for engaging, practice-oriented teaching that empowers professionals to translate theory into measurable impact.

> Appointed by the Chamber of Commerce to assess final examinations for commercial trainees and ensure consistent, transparent, and high-quality evaluation standards. * Conducted oral examinations for business administration and logistics trainees. * Collaborated with fellow examiners and the chamber’s education department to maintain fair, competency-based assessment criteria. * Supported continuous improvement of examination materials and procedures. * Provided feedback to align vocational education outcomes with industry needs. 🚀 Result: Contributed to strengthening the regional education standard by ensuring objective evaluation, promoting professional excellence, and fostering next-generation talents.

> Built and led a multilingual, KPI-driven customer support organization for Europe’s leading online lighting retailer. * Managed and developed a 25-member team across D-A-CH, PL, BE-NE-LUX, CZ, NO, FR. * Introduced service processes, SLAs and KPIs to improve customer satisfaction and response times. * Implemented digital ticketing, chat-service and workflow automation tools, cutting handling time. * Collaborated closely with logistics, marketing and IT to synchronize operations during rapid international expansion. * Reported directly to executive management and contributed to strategic decisions on customer experience and scalability. 🚀 Result: Built a scalable, data-driven support organization that delivered measurable efficiency gains, improved customer satisfaction, and enabled sustainable international growth.

> Provided first-level support and customer service for Europe’s leading online lighting retailer during a period of rapid growth and international expansion. * Handled customer inquiries across multiple channels (phone, email, live chat) in German and English. * Processed orders, returns and warranty cases with focus on accuracy and customer satisfaction. * Collaborated with logistics and marketing teams to resolve service issues and improve internal communication flows. *Supported onboarding of new colleagues and shared best practices to strengthen team performance. *Contributed feedback to optimize CRM workflows and response templates. 🚀 Result: Improved customer experience and response efficiency by streamlining communication processes and proactively identifying service gaps during the company’s international scaling.

> Managed and optimized the company’s IT infrastructure to support logistics operations and digital transformation initiatives. * Maintained and administered servers, databases, and communication systems ensuring stable daily operations. * Developed automated reporting and scheduling tools improving data accuracy and process reliability. * Supported multiple departments with hardware, software, and workflow troubleshooting. * Collaborated with management to enhance system security, backup routines, and data transparency. * Bridged technical and operational teams to align IT capabilities with business needs. 🚀 Result: Increased process efficiency and reliability by modernizing IT systems and implementing automation tools that enhanced logistics performance and data integrity.

> Completed a full vocational training program in freight forwarding and logistics, gaining comprehensive knowledge of transport planning, dispatch, finance, and customer communication. *Coordinated domestic and international shipments, ensuring on-time delivery and accurate documentation. * Supported daily logistics operations, including scheduling, route optimization and freight cost analysis. * Collaborated with carriers, customers, and customs offices to ensure regulatory compliance. *Assisted in developing process improvements to streamline administrative workflows. *Learned end-to-end supply chain operations, building a foundation for later procurement expertise. 🚀 Result: Graduated with distinction and recognized for proactive process optimization and strong operational understanding — forming the cornerstone of a career in procurement and supply chain management.