Karin Gärtner

Karin Gärtner

Expert in supply chain excellence, leadership, and negotiation strategy

Precision, speed, and strategy are the pillars of Karin Gärtner’s work. Over 35 years of experience in high-performance industries shape her approach: when mistakes happen in motorsports (Formula 1, rally, Le Mans), medical technology, or robotics, the consequences can be fatal. Today, she brings this mindset of excellence, coupled with strategic foresight, to your company as a trainer and consultant.
Karin Gärtner has over two decades of management experience in global corporations (including Automotive TIER1). There, she was responsible for the entire spectrum of supply chain management. Her foundation is her deep expertise in procurement: Karin Gärtner managed purchasing from complex one-off production in plant engineering to technologically demanding large-scale series production. She covered all facets of the business, from strategic supplier management to operational supply security.
„My personal motto: Leadership means making yourself dispensable – the success of the team is the success of the leader.“
Karin Gärtner’s approach: Expertise meets behavioral psychology, because success comes from effective communication. She combines her 35 years of practical experience with in-depth behavioral training:
Procurement management – methodological expertise: In addition to negotiating skills, craftsmanship is key to success. Karin Gärtner equips your teams with proven methods and tools so that decisions in day-to-day business are made on a sound professional basis.
Sales – The psychology of purchasing: Karin Gärtner not only teaches tactics, but also an understanding of the thought and behavior patterns of the other side. Together, you will practice how to use communication in a targeted manner so that you can confidently steer conversations instead of just reacting to demands.
Management – Leadership is behavior: Effective communication is crucial, especially during change processes. Karin Gärtner supports you in refining your attitude and messages in such a way that you can overcome resistance and motivate your team to take on more personal responsibility.

Trainer profile

Functions and roles

  • Procurement, sales, management, and behavioural trainer
  • Consultant for procurement management and supply chain organizations
  • Partner at Institut für Wirtschaftspädagogik

Key topics

  • Negotiation skills: Negotiation psychology, tactics for buyers, and effective counter-strategies for sales (change of perspective & closing orientation)
  • Procurement management & supply chain: Use of sound methods for holistic management of the value chain – for the optimal balance of costs, quality, and security of supply
  • Leadership mentoring: Leadership in times of change, communication, team development in high-performance areas
  • Transformation & reorganization: Process optimization and efficiency improvement with a focus on feasibility – how to create structures that have an immediate operational impact

Education and experience

Professional practice and management experience

  • Over 35 years of professional experience in high-performance industries: transportation and logistics, motorsports (Formula 1, rally, Le Mans), automotive industry (TIER1), medical technology, and robotics
  • Over 20 years of management experience as a division manager or director in large international companies
  • Areas of responsibility: Holistic management of the departments of procurement (direct & indirect spend), supplier and quality management, logistics, and assembly
  • Successful implementation of restructuring and reorganization projects to increase efficiency, margins, and process reliabiliy -from technologically demanding small series to large series production

Academic background

  • Master of Business Administration (MBA) Henley Business School | University of Reading, UK
  • B.Sc. Logistics Management European Distance Learning University (in cooperation with the Fraunhofer Institute)

Additional qualifications and certificates

  • Quality management: Quality management representative (QMR) and internal auditor according to ISO 9001 and IATF 16949
  • Foreign trade: Graduate of distance learning courses in customs and export control (AWA Münster)
  • Commercial background: Freight forwarding clerk (IHK qualification)

Institut für Wirtschaftspädagogik
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