Gereon Hempel
CEO & Founder at 21. Consulting- Claim this Profile
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German Native or bilingual proficiency
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English Native or bilingual proficiency
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Spanish Native or bilingual proficiency
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French Elementary proficiency
Topline Score
Bio
Luke Falasca
Gereon is incredibly knowledgeable about global supply chain and procurement. His knowledge of procurement extends beyond the automotive sector as Gereon helped me in a Sr. Sales role to develop best practices when negotiating contracts with executives at Fortune 500 companies. I would highly recommend that anyone who has the opportunity to work with Gereon or hire his services to not take it lightly, he has a wealth of knowledge that is very applicable to anyone in business who is selling, negotiating, or handling operations at a large scale.
Christian Botnariu
I have had the privilege of working with Gereon, an exceptional international procurement consultant in the automotive industry. His expertise and guidance have consistently delivered outstanding results, making him an invaluable resource for anyone seeking expert advice in the supply chain. Gereon's deep understanding of international purchasing processes, combined with his strategic mindset, has led to significant cost savings and operational improvements. Personally, I have achieved great successes under Gereon's guidance, particularly in complex contract negotiations. His support and insights have been instrumental in securing favorable terms and agreements. Gereon's ability to navigate challenging negotiation scenarios and drive mutually beneficial outcomes is truly commendable. With his professionalism, strong communication skills, and dedication to staying up-to-date with industry trends, Gereon is a trusted consultant who consistently exceeds expectations. He is definitely a great asset when it comes to collaborating with large corporations. I highly recommend him to anyone in need of expert advice in the supply chain.
Luke Falasca
Gereon is incredibly knowledgeable about global supply chain and procurement. His knowledge of procurement extends beyond the automotive sector as Gereon helped me in a Sr. Sales role to develop best practices when negotiating contracts with executives at Fortune 500 companies. I would highly recommend that anyone who has the opportunity to work with Gereon or hire his services to not take it lightly, he has a wealth of knowledge that is very applicable to anyone in business who is selling, negotiating, or handling operations at a large scale.
Christian Botnariu
I have had the privilege of working with Gereon, an exceptional international procurement consultant in the automotive industry. His expertise and guidance have consistently delivered outstanding results, making him an invaluable resource for anyone seeking expert advice in the supply chain. Gereon's deep understanding of international purchasing processes, combined with his strategic mindset, has led to significant cost savings and operational improvements. Personally, I have achieved great successes under Gereon's guidance, particularly in complex contract negotiations. His support and insights have been instrumental in securing favorable terms and agreements. Gereon's ability to navigate challenging negotiation scenarios and drive mutually beneficial outcomes is truly commendable. With his professionalism, strong communication skills, and dedication to staying up-to-date with industry trends, Gereon is a trusted consultant who consistently exceeds expectations. He is definitely a great asset when it comes to collaborating with large corporations. I highly recommend him to anyone in need of expert advice in the supply chain.
Luke Falasca
Gereon is incredibly knowledgeable about global supply chain and procurement. His knowledge of procurement extends beyond the automotive sector as Gereon helped me in a Sr. Sales role to develop best practices when negotiating contracts with executives at Fortune 500 companies. I would highly recommend that anyone who has the opportunity to work with Gereon or hire his services to not take it lightly, he has a wealth of knowledge that is very applicable to anyone in business who is selling, negotiating, or handling operations at a large scale.
Christian Botnariu
I have had the privilege of working with Gereon, an exceptional international procurement consultant in the automotive industry. His expertise and guidance have consistently delivered outstanding results, making him an invaluable resource for anyone seeking expert advice in the supply chain. Gereon's deep understanding of international purchasing processes, combined with his strategic mindset, has led to significant cost savings and operational improvements. Personally, I have achieved great successes under Gereon's guidance, particularly in complex contract negotiations. His support and insights have been instrumental in securing favorable terms and agreements. Gereon's ability to navigate challenging negotiation scenarios and drive mutually beneficial outcomes is truly commendable. With his professionalism, strong communication skills, and dedication to staying up-to-date with industry trends, Gereon is a trusted consultant who consistently exceeds expectations. He is definitely a great asset when it comes to collaborating with large corporations. I highly recommend him to anyone in need of expert advice in the supply chain.
Luke Falasca
Gereon is incredibly knowledgeable about global supply chain and procurement. His knowledge of procurement extends beyond the automotive sector as Gereon helped me in a Sr. Sales role to develop best practices when negotiating contracts with executives at Fortune 500 companies. I would highly recommend that anyone who has the opportunity to work with Gereon or hire his services to not take it lightly, he has a wealth of knowledge that is very applicable to anyone in business who is selling, negotiating, or handling operations at a large scale.
Christian Botnariu
I have had the privilege of working with Gereon, an exceptional international procurement consultant in the automotive industry. His expertise and guidance have consistently delivered outstanding results, making him an invaluable resource for anyone seeking expert advice in the supply chain. Gereon's deep understanding of international purchasing processes, combined with his strategic mindset, has led to significant cost savings and operational improvements. Personally, I have achieved great successes under Gereon's guidance, particularly in complex contract negotiations. His support and insights have been instrumental in securing favorable terms and agreements. Gereon's ability to navigate challenging negotiation scenarios and drive mutually beneficial outcomes is truly commendable. With his professionalism, strong communication skills, and dedication to staying up-to-date with industry trends, Gereon is a trusted consultant who consistently exceeds expectations. He is definitely a great asset when it comes to collaborating with large corporations. I highly recommend him to anyone in need of expert advice in the supply chain.
Credentials
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From Excel to Tableau
LinkedInJul, 2022- Nov, 2024 -
Learning Excel: Data Analysis
LinkedInJul, 2022- Nov, 2024 -
The Non-Technical Skills of Effective Data Scientists
LinkedInJul, 2022- Nov, 2024
Experience
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21. Consulting
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United States
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Business Consulting and Services
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1 - 100 Employee
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CEO & Founder
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May 2023 - Present
Supply Chains are collapsing around the world. It turns out, it’s not about “just moving stuff from A to B.” I’ve known that managing Supply Chains through crisis for Fortune 20 companies, but… …a job always looks easier when you’re not doing it, right? Organizing the supply chain is a puzzle of 1,000,000 pieces. Do you want to save millions of USD & create a sustainable Supply Chain that actually WORKS? This is your chance! Help is on the… Show more Supply Chains are collapsing around the world. It turns out, it’s not about “just moving stuff from A to B.” I’ve known that managing Supply Chains through crisis for Fortune 20 companies, but… …a job always looks easier when you’re not doing it, right? Organizing the supply chain is a puzzle of 1,000,000 pieces. Do you want to save millions of USD & create a sustainable Supply Chain that actually WORKS? This is your chance! Help is on the way. Just send me a note. You won’t regret it, I promise. Show less Supply Chains are collapsing around the world. It turns out, it’s not about “just moving stuff from A to B.” I’ve known that managing Supply Chains through crisis for Fortune 20 companies, but… …a job always looks easier when you’re not doing it, right? Organizing the supply chain is a puzzle of 1,000,000 pieces. Do you want to save millions of USD & create a sustainable Supply Chain that actually WORKS? This is your chance! Help is on the… Show more Supply Chains are collapsing around the world. It turns out, it’s not about “just moving stuff from A to B.” I’ve known that managing Supply Chains through crisis for Fortune 20 companies, but… …a job always looks easier when you’re not doing it, right? Organizing the supply chain is a puzzle of 1,000,000 pieces. Do you want to save millions of USD & create a sustainable Supply Chain that actually WORKS? This is your chance! Help is on the way. Just send me a note. You won’t regret it, I promise. Show less
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Volkswagen of America, Inc
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United States
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Motor Vehicle Manufacturing
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700 & Above Employee
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Sr. Strategic Procurement Manager
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Aug 2022 - Apr 2023
Others may call this a recipe for disaster. I’d say this was the biggest and most rewarding challenge of my career. My task was to restructure and lead a team, guiding them through procurement projects amounting to > 1 Bio. USD. But that’s not all: The team was at 75% capacity… Aaaaand at the same time I was leading the largest procurement initiative (over 800 Mio.) group wide. Was it stressful? Yes! Was it worth it it? Hell yes! I will cherish… Show more Others may call this a recipe for disaster. I’d say this was the biggest and most rewarding challenge of my career. My task was to restructure and lead a team, guiding them through procurement projects amounting to > 1 Bio. USD. But that’s not all: The team was at 75% capacity… Aaaaand at the same time I was leading the largest procurement initiative (over 800 Mio.) group wide. Was it stressful? Yes! Was it worth it it? Hell yes! I will cherish this time forever, as it helped me take better & quicker decisions under extreme pressure. A cool leveled head during high stakes conversations has saved me many times. Although this job was highly rewarding, I needed a change. It was time to leave VW and start something new.
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Procurement Lead - Logistics & Services
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Jan 2019 - Aug 2022
Ever lead 20 internal customers & 15 potential contract partners while working against the clock? Well, me neither… up until this point. A daunting task that taught me project management skills, leadership, and the art of negotiations. I remember one time in the board room a heated discussion started. The whole project was questioned Whose interests are more important and who’s the Sheriff in town? Whose idea is the “best”? So I proposed to let… Show more Ever lead 20 internal customers & 15 potential contract partners while working against the clock? Well, me neither… up until this point. A daunting task that taught me project management skills, leadership, and the art of negotiations. I remember one time in the board room a heated discussion started. The whole project was questioned Whose interests are more important and who’s the Sheriff in town? Whose idea is the “best”? So I proposed to let the data decide. Using different scenarios, we would decide based on market feedback. Everybody agreed. I learned that it’s important to make people feel heard and to rely on data to take decisions. Using that approach, we were able to not only finish the project in time but to stabilize the supply chain and save the company over 50 Mio. USD. P.S.: During that time I also established a Battery Recycling network for North America that saved the company millions of dollars & reached several sustainability goals.
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Logistics Procurement Consultant
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Sep 2017 - Jan 2019
In late 2016 I received a surprising phone call from a US number. At first, I didn’t want to pick up… “This must be spam!” But then I did… I received an offer I COULD NOT turn down. I would lead a strategic procurement initiative for the North American Region. It was THE highest-profile initiative in North America. Sponsored by executives, with tremendous impact on the company's bottom line. So… I said YES! As a newbie to the US… Show more In late 2016 I received a surprising phone call from a US number. At first, I didn’t want to pick up… “This must be spam!” But then I did… I received an offer I COULD NOT turn down. I would lead a strategic procurement initiative for the North American Region. It was THE highest-profile initiative in North America. Sponsored by executives, with tremendous impact on the company's bottom line. So… I said YES! As a newbie to the US, the main obstacle was my cultural understanding and corporate politics. The words I said needed to be 100% CLEAR and EMPATHETIC! And I needed to humbly LISTEN & LEARN! As an outsider, there was no other way I could convince anyone of my ideas. Whenever I want to change anything, I think back to these days. Listening and learning is a key ingredient to any successful partnership! People want to be understood. I am thankful for this time as it made me a lifelong learner!
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La Unica
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Orizaba, Veracruz, Mexico
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Co-Owner
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Feb 2017 - Jul 2018
Starting "La Unica", a restaurant in the beautiful town of Orizaba was a dream come true! This time taught me the basics of entrepreneurship. Starting a company, buying inventory, managing personnel and developing a wonderful product. You should have tried these burgers when you had the chance... But now they're gone... FOREVER. Starting "La Unica", a restaurant in the beautiful town of Orizaba was a dream come true! This time taught me the basics of entrepreneurship. Starting a company, buying inventory, managing personnel and developing a wonderful product. You should have tried these burgers when you had the chance... But now they're gone... FOREVER.
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Volkswagen MX
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Mexico
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Wholesale Motor Vehicles and Parts
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700 & Above Employee
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Procurement Specialist
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May 2014 - Aug 2017
When I started at VW I thought 1 Mio. USD was a lot of money. Only to find out I’d be talking 100’s of Millions every day. The water I had just jumped into was cold, very cold. So cold, that it almost paralyzed me. The main project I was working on was to establish a transportation network for VW’s three production plants in Mexico. A massive undertaking that had never been done before. I learned how to ask for help when needed, manage colliding… Show more When I started at VW I thought 1 Mio. USD was a lot of money. Only to find out I’d be talking 100’s of Millions every day. The water I had just jumped into was cold, very cold. So cold, that it almost paralyzed me. The main project I was working on was to establish a transportation network for VW’s three production plants in Mexico. A massive undertaking that had never been done before. I learned how to ask for help when needed, manage colliding stakeholder interests and making strategic plans. This was my first gig with real responsibility. I managed to finalize the project with outstanding success, my clients were extremely satisfied. But I was hungry for more… Show less When I started at VW I thought 1 Mio. USD was a lot of money. Only to find out I’d be talking 100’s of Millions every day. The water I had just jumped into was cold, very cold. So cold, that it almost paralyzed me. The main project I was working on was to establish a transportation network for VW’s three production plants in Mexico. A massive undertaking that had never been done before. I learned how to ask for help when needed, manage colliding… Show more When I started at VW I thought 1 Mio. USD was a lot of money. Only to find out I’d be talking 100’s of Millions every day. The water I had just jumped into was cold, very cold. So cold, that it almost paralyzed me. The main project I was working on was to establish a transportation network for VW’s three production plants in Mexico. A massive undertaking that had never been done before. I learned how to ask for help when needed, manage colliding stakeholder interests and making strategic plans. This was my first gig with real responsibility. I managed to finalize the project with outstanding success, my clients were extremely satisfied. But I was hungry for more… Show less
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Volkswagen MX
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Mexico
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Wholesale Motor Vehicles and Parts
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700 & Above Employee
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Intern - Indirect Procurement
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Aug 2013 - Jan 2014
If you've read this far, you shouldn't miss a story about my humble beginnings. While I was doing my exchange semester in Guadalajara, MX I went on a vacation trip to the beach! On the way back we passed this impressively huge VW factory in Puebla. Mexico was a dream for me and I wanted to stay. The next day I applied for an internship and within two weeks it became clear: "Mexico, I'm not leaving yet.” The task at hand was truly overwhelming. I… Show more If you've read this far, you shouldn't miss a story about my humble beginnings. While I was doing my exchange semester in Guadalajara, MX I went on a vacation trip to the beach! On the way back we passed this impressively huge VW factory in Puebla. Mexico was a dream for me and I wanted to stay. The next day I applied for an internship and within two weeks it became clear: "Mexico, I'm not leaving yet.” The task at hand was truly overwhelming. I was going to support the Logistics Procurement team sourcing 100's of Millions of USD, without any idea what I was doing. This was my first "real" job after all. It was learning time. For example, I learned how negotiations are handled in different cultures, and how to manage multimillion-dollar conversations. Negotiations are ALWAYS uncomfortable unless you learn how to remain in control. Looking back, this experience was extremely challenging and rewarding. It was the first cornerstone in becoming who I am today. This experience sparked off my interest in working with people & finding solutions to complex problems. From there on the next steps were clear. Show less If you've read this far, you shouldn't miss a story about my humble beginnings. While I was doing my exchange semester in Guadalajara, MX I went on a vacation trip to the beach! On the way back we passed this impressively huge VW factory in Puebla. Mexico was a dream for me and I wanted to stay. The next day I applied for an internship and within two weeks it became clear: "Mexico, I'm not leaving yet.” The task at hand was truly overwhelming. I… Show more If you've read this far, you shouldn't miss a story about my humble beginnings. While I was doing my exchange semester in Guadalajara, MX I went on a vacation trip to the beach! On the way back we passed this impressively huge VW factory in Puebla. Mexico was a dream for me and I wanted to stay. The next day I applied for an internship and within two weeks it became clear: "Mexico, I'm not leaving yet.” The task at hand was truly overwhelming. I was going to support the Logistics Procurement team sourcing 100's of Millions of USD, without any idea what I was doing. This was my first "real" job after all. It was learning time. For example, I learned how negotiations are handled in different cultures, and how to manage multimillion-dollar conversations. Negotiations are ALWAYS uncomfortable unless you learn how to remain in control. Looking back, this experience was extremely challenging and rewarding. It was the first cornerstone in becoming who I am today. This experience sparked off my interest in working with people & finding solutions to complex problems. From there on the next steps were clear. Show less
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Education
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2010 - 2013
Universiteit Maastricht
Bachelor of Science (B. Sc.), International Business -
2021 - 2021
Harvard Business School Online
Other; Certificate in Entrepreneurship Essentials, Complete -
2013 - 2013
Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey
Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.), International Business -
2005 - 2009
Aggertalgymnasium Engelskirchen
Abitur/ A-levels, Major: English and German -
1999 - 2005
Gymnasium Kreuzgasse
Abitur, English Language and Literature, General
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