60th Symposium Procurement and Logistics

Executive Circle 5

Speaker to be confirmed

Duration: 60 minutes
Limited group size – advance registration required

Executive Circle 6

The Impact of Procurement on Business Success – CPO and CFO as Drivers of Key KPIs

• Beyond Savings – Procurement as Risk Manager and Value Driver
• Working Capital & Cash Flow – How Procurement Supports the CFO’s Key Objectives
• AI as an Efficiency Booster

Stefan Köhler, Head of Finance & Spend Management Germany, SAP

Duration: 60 minutes
Limited group size – advance registration required

Networking Break in the Exhibition Area with Program in the Mixed Zones

Executive Circle 7

Duration: 60 minutes
Limited group size – advance registration required

Executive Circle 8

Duration: 60 minutes
Limited group size – advance registration required

Lunch Break, Exhibition, and Insights Session

Executive Circle 9

This Could Be Your Slot (Open for positioning)

Duration: 60 minutes
Limited group size – advance registration required

Executive Circle 10

This Could Be Your Slot (Open for positioning)

Duration: 60 minutes
Limited group size – advance registration required

Executive Circle 11

Entrepreneurial Procurement – Procurement of the Future as a Business Model, Buyers as "Entrepreneurs"

• An entrepreneurial understanding of procurement
• Rethinking value contributions, stakeholders & procurement marketing
• Changing roles & skills of procurement employees

Prof. Dr. Florian C. Kleemann, Professor for Supply Chain Management, Munich University of Applied Sciences
Kai Nowosel, Chief Procurement Officer, Adecco Group AG

Duration: 60 minutes
Limited group size – advance registration required

Executive Circle 12

Category Management 2.0: Key to Team Activation

• Analyzing obstacles: Identifying stumbling blocks in implementing the "6-Step Category Management"
• Best Practices: Successful strategies for overcoming resistance and promoting initiative
• Motivation Drivers: Developing tailored incentives for teams to operate independently
• Action Plan: Developing concrete measures to sustainably embed category management in corporate culture

Christoffer Hagner, Head of Procurement, Mainova AG

Duration: 60 minutes
Limited group size – advance registration required

Networking Break in the Exhibition Area with Program in the Mixed Zones

Deep Dive 4

Speaker to be confirmed

Duration: 60 minutes
Limited participation – first come, first served

Networking Break in the Exhibition Area with Program in the Mixed Zones

Deep Dive 5

Duration: 60 minutes
Limited participation – first come, first served

Lunch Break, Exhibition, and Insights Session

Deep Dive 6

AI Model Training: Over 1 million CAD models and >100,000 prices as training data

• AI Model Training: Over 1 million CAD models and >100,000 prices as training data
• Applications:
  • Price prediction to achieve target prices
  • Deriving sourcing strategy through complexity classification – defining when and where LCL is applied
  • Direct ordering at predicted prices without separate price inquiries from suppliers

Dr. Yao Rau, Director of Purchasing and Logistics, Bosch Manufacturing Solution GmbH
Andreas Schöller, Experte für Supply Chain Digitalization, Bosch Manufacturing Solution GmbH

Duration: 60 minutes
Limited participation – first come, first served

Deep Dive 7

Shaping the "Stakeholder Ecosystem": Added Value through Strategic Collaboration

• Stakeholder-Centric Culture: From transactional relationships to long-term partnerships
• Effective Collaboration: Breaking down silos and strategically involving stakeholders
• Practical Insights: Successful case studies, challenges, and solutions
• Essential Tools & Skills: Techniques & skills for successful engagement

Deike Moos. Senior PH Procurement Product Lead, Bayer AG

Duration: 60 minutes
Limited participation – first come, first served

Networking Break in the Exhibition Area with Program in the Mixed Zones

Thematic Track 5

PROCUREMENT4FUTURE

Moderation: Dr. Ruth Schültken, Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Mannheim

Smart Procurement for a Digitalized Bank – Our Roadmap

• Why this transformation affects more than just the procurement organization
• Why planning and savings go hand in hand
• What have we learned

Julian Lange, Head of Category Management, Commerzbank AG
Manuela Straube, CPO, Commerzbank AG

Transition Break

AI in Procurement: Optimizing Processes, Empowering Buyers, and Reducing Costs – Practical Examples from Strategic Procurement at Voith

• Establishing an AI Competence Center in Procurement
• Evaluating promising AI use cases in procurement
• Pilot projects and specific AI applications in strategic procurement at Voith

Dr. Janina Goldberg, Vice President Purchasing Strategy and Methods, Voith Group

Transition Break

GenAI for Allianz Procurement: Delivering Business Impact

• How we enabled our GenAI for supplier-contract analysis
• Development of a user-focused tool suite
• Leveraging the tool for maximum business value

Dr. Matthew Lehar, Head of Procurement Analytics, Allianz SE | Group Technology

Lunch Break, Exhibition & Insight Sessions

Thematic Track 9

PROCUREMENT4FUTURE

Moderation: Dr. Ruth Schültken, Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Mannheim

Innovation Through Collaboration Between R&D and Procurement

• Rohde & Schwarz drives innovation with solution groups from development and procurement
• Together with suppliers, we shape the technological advancement of microwave and semiconductor components
• The resulting measurement technology drives product innovation for our customers and suppliers

Dr. Matthias Weidinger, Vice President Corporate Procurement Operations, Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG

Transition Break

Building Resilient Supply Chains: A World Full of Crises – How Can Procurement Counteract?

Silke Sorger, Senior Vice President Procurement, Infineon Technologies AG

Transition Break

Networking Break in the Exhibition Area with Program in the Mixed Zones

Thematic Track 6

THOUGT LEADERS4INSPRIATION

Moderation: Dr. Thomas Germer, CPO, ADAC SE

The role of AI agents in reshaping procurement operating model

Pratik Yadav, Partner and Associate Director, Boston Consulting Group

Transition Break 

Kumar-de-Brabandt AI Data Economy Model

• Kumar-de-Brabandt Model
• Generative AI and Ethical AI for Business Transformations
• Democratization and Monetization of Data

Charlotte de Brabandt, Digital Futurist, Author of "Data Economy Through Democratization and Monetization"
Dr. Milan Kumar, Member – Forbes Technology Council, TEDx Speaker, Author of "Data Economy Through Democratization and Monetization"

Transition Break

TBA

Speaker to be confirmed

Lunch Break, Exhibition & Insight Sessions

Thematic Track 10

THOUGHT LEADERS4INSPIRATION

Moderation: Dr. Thomas Germer, CPO, ADAC SE

AI in Supply Chain

Anna-Kathrin Werkmeister, VP Global Procurement & Logistics, Rolling Stock, Siemens Mobility GmbH 

Transition Break

From Backbone to Growth Engine: Bridging Traditional and E-Com Supply Chains 

• How to shift from traditional supply chain thinking to agile, digital-first models that serve dynamic E-Commerce channels
• Real-world examples of how to bridge organizational silos and turn complexity into a competitive advantage
• What it takes to build future-ready capabilities – from Q-commerce to omnichannel fulfillment and data-driven collaboration

Candy Weiß-Thieme, Global Supply Chain Director E-Commerce, Beiersdorf AG

Transition Break

Networking Break in the Exhibition Area with Program in the Mixed Zones

Thematic Track 7

SUSTAINABILITY4IMPACT

Moderation: André Lückert, Business Process Owner Purchase-to-Pay, Schmitz Cargobull AG

Procurement Resilience Through Sustainable Supply Chain Management

• Understanding, goals, and challenges of sustainable supply chain management
• Reasons and approaches for sustainability management in supply chains
• Circularity and supply chain management

Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Stefan Schaltegger, Founder, Centre for Sustainability Management (CSM)

Transition Break

From Risk to resilience: why sustainability is the only economic choice

• Sustainability pays off: An essential for economic stability – renewables reduce costs, risks, and regulatory uncertainty
• Crisis-proof supply chains: How regionalization, local suppliers, and diversification help mitigate risks
• Circular economy wins: Recycling and closed-loop production cut waste and costs

Ulrike Schmidt von Knobelsdorf, Head of Procurement Compliance & Resilience, Deutsche Telekom AG
Irena Sekirica, Vice President Sourcing ICT, Deutsche Telekom AG

Transition Break

Circular Economy in DB Procurement: From Corporate Goal to Practical Implementation

• Strategy in Practice: Implementing circular economy in DB procurement
• Flagship Projects: Innovative approaches as best practices
• Credibility: Measures for a successful transformation

Johanna Böhme, Sustainability Procurement Specialist, Deutsche Bahn AG

Lunch Break, Exhibition & Insight Sessions

Thematic Track 11

SUSTAINABILITY4IMPACT

Moderation: André Lückert, Business Process Owner Purchase-to-Pay, Schmitz Cargobull AG

Clean Industrial Deal: No More Greenhushing – How Genuine Sustainability Becomes the Superpower of Industry

• From Lip Service to Impact: How companies can go beyond ticking boxes and create real value with credible sustainability measures
• Cost Killer Climate Protection: Why investing in sustainability today is the best savings program for tomorrow
• Reputation Reloaded: How radical transparency and bold innovations can turn industrial companies into true role models – and skeptics into fans

Harald Rettich, Head of Corporate Partnerships Germany, myclimate Deutschland GmbH

Transition Break

Empowering sustainable business

• Decarbonizing scope 3: lessons learned
• Making Scope 3 actions our business
• Sustainability & digitalization

Dr. Thomas Schulte, Head Corporate Department Sustainability, Environment, Health and Safety, Robert Bosch GmbH

Transition Break

Networking Break in the Exhibition Area with Program in the Mixed Zones

Thematic Track 8

BASICS4PROCUREMENT

Moderation: Alexander Sehr, Head of Inhouse/Training Programs, BME Akademie GmbH

Data Analytics in Strategic Procurement – From Data Overload to Decision-Making Power

• More than just reporting: How data analytics helps procurement teams steer proactively instead of reacting retrospectively
• Practice meets potential: Five key trends – from predictive analytics to ESG – illustrated with real procurement use cases
• Action over hesitation: The first steps procurement leaders should take now to unlock data-driven value creation

Oliver Augustin, Team Leader - Construction & Plant Engineering, Procurement & Purchasing, EVN Group

Transition Break

Case Study: Cost and CO2e Optimization through Cost and Value Analysis

• Methodical Approach – When Nothing Else Helps
• Compatibility of Cost and CO2e Improvement
• Standardization as a Multiplier

Michael Flieger, Vice President of Cost Management Purchasing, Brose Fahrzeugteile SE & Co. KG

Transition Break

Efficient Supplier Management (SM) in Global Organizations: Strategies for Success and Resilience

• SM – The Great Unknown: Defining Supplier Management and Understanding Its Functions
• SM with a Global Perspective – Why, What, and How? Exploring the Benefits of Global Supplier Management and How to Approach It
• SM, Procurement, and Risk Management – A Well-Coordinated Trio

Marion Gillich, Head of Supplier Risk Management, Daimler Truck AG

Lunch Break, Exhibition & Insight Sessions

Thematic Track 12

BASICS4PROCUREMENT

Moderation: Alexander Sehr, Head of Inhouse/Training Programs, BME Akademie GmbH

Introduction and Benefits of Category Management

• Optimizing procurement strategies
• Increasing transparency and control
• Promoting collaboration and innovation

Fabio Franco, Director Procurement, Gerhardi Kunststofftechnik GmbH

Transition Break

Risk Management – Back to the Roots

• Cost-efficient risk management vs. holistic risk management – the truth lies in between
• Global orientation with enough flexibility – but what are the challenges?
• Flexible design instead of rigid processes to react quickly and efficiently to changes

David Meier, Senior Manager Procurement – Business Development, KRONES AG

Transition Break

Networking Break in the Exhibition Area with Program in the Mixed Zones

Strategy Briefing

Marlene Bar

Strategic Insights: European Sovereignty and Sustainable Procurement

In this session, we will discuss key strategies to ensure European sovereignty through more resilient supply chains. The focus will be on expanding exclusively European supply chains for security technology applications, strategic R&D procurement in the defense sector, and restructuring production lines to enhance resilience and flexibility.

Take this opportunity to engage with leading experts and decision-makers and gain valuable strategic insights into the future of European defense procurement.

Moderation: Prof. Dr. Michael Eßig, Chair of Procurement and Supply Management, University of the Bundeswehr Munich

Panelists:
Dr. Christian Mölling, Senior Advisor, Center for European Polititics und Director, EDINA: European Defence in a New Age
Heinz Oestervoß, Senior Vice President Procurement & Logistics, KNDS Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG

Discovery Zone: North Africa

Marlene Bar

Learn About the Potential of the Region

Talk to Our AHK Experts About Your Countries

Meet Selected Suppliers from Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia

Moderation: Lisa Immensack, Senior International Project Managerin, BME e.V.

Solution Forum 9

This Could Be Your Slot (Open for positioning)

Solution Forum 10

This Could Be Your Slot (Open for positioning)

Solution Forum 11

Solution Forum 12

Digitalization and AI in Supply Chains

• Assessment of the Digitalization Status in Supply Chains: Analysis of technologies, processes, and structures to determine the digital maturity level across different industries
• Examination of the Use of Artificial Intelligence: Capturing current and planned AI applications along the supply chain – from planning and logistics to risk assessment
• Identification of Challenges and Success Factors: Empirical analysis of organizational, technological, and cultural conditions for the successful transformation of supply chains

Prof. Dr. Michael Huth, Professor of General Business Administration, specializing in Logistics, Hochschule Fulda
Michael Jungk, Head of Logistics and Supply Chain Management Section, BME e.V.

Transition Break

Solution Forum 13

BME Salary Report Logistics and Supply Chain 2025

• What do professionals in logistics and SCM earn?
• How is the industry developing in terms of salary and employment opportunities?
• Benchmark Logistics and SCM vs. Procurement

Mireille Bart, Project Manager, BME e.V.
Michael Jungk, Head of Logistics and Supply Chain Management Section, BME e.V.
Manuel  Steckermayr, Head of BME-JobSource, BME e.V.

Solution Forum 14

"What’s a problem?" Analysis as an Opportunity for Innovation, Cost Reduction, and Value Creation

• Rethinking products from all perspectives
• Uncovering hidden cost-saving potential: Examples of cost reduction as innovation
• Value-oriented ideation process
• "Greenfield thinking" – enabling new ways of thinking

Andreas Ewert, IIdeation Engineer, "Design to Value Team," Virtual Product Development (GTZ / VPD), Miele & Cie. KG

Solution Forum 15

Sourcing and Mindset Competency Development for Our Sourcing & Procurement Employees

• Developing and managing a career path for our procurement & sourcing employees
• Meeting key requirements: API/Q1 quality requirements, technology changes, employee retention
• Improving competencies to reduce costs, increase productivity, and promote sustainability within the company

Manon Fentzahn, Sr. GSC CDMP Manager Enterprise Operational Excellence, Baker Hughes

Solution Forum 16

How well do you know AI?

• The fundamental logic behind AI
• How mid-sized procurement organizations can benefit
• Best practices for integrating AI into existing procurement processes

Bernd Dürring, Managing Director, MARBEHO Solutions GmbH and AGIMERO GmbH
Michael Iserhardt, Senior Account Manager, InterSystems GmbH

Networking Break

Start-up Meet & Greet

Mixed Zone at the BME Stand, Hall 3

Innovative start-ups meet experts from procurement and supply chain. After the pitches the day before, it's now time for real dialogue: personal, direct, and solution-oriented. Discover partnerships with potential, explore new approaches, discuss concrete use cases, and bring innovation to life – together.

Award Spotlight

Mixed Zone in the Exhibition, Hall 4

Moderation: Prof. Dr. Florian C. Kleemann, Professor for Supply Chain Management, University of Applied Sciences Munich

Networking Break

The Logistics Hub Germany – Infrastructure and Defense

Mixed Zone in the Exhibition, Hall 4

• What opportunities arise for Germany’s companies after the turning point?
• What supply chain skills will be important in the future?
• How does civil-military cooperation work?

Michael Jungk, Head of Logistics and Supply Chain Management Section, BME e.V.

China’s Global Strategies: Economic, Political, and Geopolitical Perspectives

Mixed Zone at the BME Stand, Hall 3

• China’s “Dual Bureaucracy System”: A Secret and Guarantee for the Stability, Resilience, and Adaptability of the Communist Party of China
• Tianxia – China’s Vision 2049: China’s six global initiatives to expand its economic, political, social, and military influence
• China’s approach to global leadership: China on the rise – China advancing – China Glocal
• Adapting to a changing global landscape: The development of China’s influence on world trade, politics, and security

Josef Mondl, Senior Advisor, TAO China Zentrum Schweiz

CLOSING PLENARY OF THE 60TH SYMPOSIUM PROCUREMENT AND LOGISTICS

Between Vision and Reality – How do we handle the conflicts between our beliefs and political reality?

Jürgen Trittin, Former Federal Minister

Getting Better at Getting Better

Jan Frodeno, Olympic Triathlon Champion and Three-Time Ironman World Champion

Closing Words from the Moderator

Volker Wieprecht, Radio and TV Presenter

End of the 60th BME Symposium

Simultaneous translation of all plenary sessions
German : English