My profile
Sascha Oliver Krahl
Graduate Economist (Dipl.-Ökonom, University of Hohenheim) | MBA
For more than 25 years, I have worked in strategic purchasing, project management and sales – initially on the OEM side, then with international automotive suppliers and industrial companies. Since 2013, I have supported companies as an interim manager and independent specialist, and since 2022 exclusively in this capacity.
My day-to-day work is shaped by an international context: I am based in both Barcelona (Spain) and Esslingen (Germany).
Key facts
Experience
Over 4 years in OEM purchasing at Daimler AG and Jungheinrich.
Over 20 years in purchasing, supply chain management, project management and sales at international Tier 1 automotive suppliers and industrial companies (Lear Corporation, SIKA, Eissmann Automotive, Champion/FBG, NIDEC GPM, Hilite, IFA, among others).
Leadership and international experience
Many years of international leadership experience in senior positions, with responsibility for global teams and cross-functional projects.
International mindset: an excellent global network (OEM, Tier 1, Tier 2), strong intercultural competence and outstanding negotiating skills in several languages (German, English, Spanish – business fluent).
Private equity
Experience in the private equity environment: supporting portfolio companies through restructurings, value creation programmes and operational turnarounds, with a focus on purchasing and supply chain.
Education & qualifications
- Dipl.-Ökonom (University of Hohenheim) & MBA
- VDA 6.3 Lead Auditor
- Certified Project Manager (TÜV Nord)
- German, English and Spanish – business fluent
- Responsible for purchasing spent and sales volumes of €35m to €300m per year, in management roles since 2004, with up to 15 direct reports
- Projects in Europe, North and South America and Asia
Sectors
- Automotive (OEM, OES, IAM, Tier 1, Tier 2)
- Machinery Manufacturing
- Materials handling equipment
- Electronics/EMS
- Industry
- Wholesale
- GSE
Areas of focus
- Operational and strategic purchasing, project purchasing and category management, Capex, direct and indirect, as a specialist/consultant or as a Director.
- Cost-saving programmes (focus on EBIT), outsourcing and make-or-buy analyses, use of secure AI tools.
- Commodity strategies and Reshoring from Asia to Europe, LCC sourcing in Eastern Europe/Asia.
- Defense of price increase claims & handling of complex international claims, active supplier management for critical components.
- Negotiation training and coaching/building global teams, restructuring. Support of private equity portfolio companies for sale in terms of SCM/ Purchasing
- Process optimisation according VDA 6.3, IATF 16949 and TISAX/ ISO 27001, PEP process.
Purchasing categories
Electronics (Hardware and software, PCBA/EMS), wiring harnesses, batteries, injection-moulded parts, metals, castings, forgings and stamped and bent parts, turned parts, machining, plastics, raw materials, rubber, tubes, tooling, plant and equipment/Capex, development costs and indirect categories.
Areas: Interior, exterior, powertrain, engine components, electrics and electronics, acoustic insulation, drive motor, hydraulics.
Projects and career history
| Period | Company | Sector | Role | Annual volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| since 05/2026 | MAFI Trepel, Tauberbischofsheim | Machinery Manufacturing (GSE) – OEM | Interim Manager, Strategic Purchasing – Hydraulics, E/E, Batteries, Drive Motor | €40m spent |
| 09/2025 – 05/2026 | MEC Elektronische Komponenten, Zweibrücken | EMS/Electronics | Interim Manager, Sales/PM/Marketing/Purchasing | |
| 04/2025 – 09/2025 | IFA Powertrain, Haldensleben | Automotive Tier 1 | Head of Global Strategic Purchasing – Interim | €300m spent |
| 04/2024 – 03/2025 | Hilite Germany, Nürtingen | Automotive Tier 1 | Interim Manager/Consultant, Purchasing/PM Electronics (EMS-PCBA) | |
| 01/2024 – 04/2024 | Plus Consulting Group | Automotive and rail | Strategy Consultant, DACH – Quality Services | |
| 08/2023 – 01/2024 | Jungheinrich, Norderstedt | Materials handling equipment (OEM) | Senior Purchasing Manager Electronics – Interim | €50m spent |
| 05/2023 – 08/2023 | NIDEC GPM, Auengrund | Automotive Tier 1 | Commodity Manager Die-Casting – Interim | €80m spent |
| 01/2023 – 05/2023 | Desay SV Automotive Europe, Weimar | Automotive Tier 1 | Interim Manager, Supply Chain – Displays | |
| 08/2022 – 01/2023 | Eissmann Automotive, Bad Urach | Automotive Tier 1 | Interim Manager, Indirect/ Capex & Project Purchasing – Plastic Parts/ Tools | |
| 03/2015 – 07/2022 | First Brands Group (Airtex, Champion, Carter, among others) | Automotive Tier 1/IAM | Head of Project Management and Sales, OEM & OES Europe; General Manager, Airtex Deutschland (ppa, 2017–2019) | €60m turnover |
| 12/2013 – 03/2015 | Eissmann Automotive, Bad Urach | Automotive Tier 1 | Team Lead, Project Purchasing – Full Interior | |
| 03/2007 – 12/2013 | SIKA Terrassa (formerly Aksys), Spain | Industry and Automotive Tier 1 | Head of Purchasing, Project Management and Sales, Spanish Production Plants | €35m spent |
| 03/2004 – 03/2007 | Lear Corporation EED, Ginsheim-Gustavsburg and Valls (Spain) | Automotive Tier 1 | Head of Sales Account General Motors & Heavy Duty | €180m turnover |
| 07/2000 – 03/2004 | Daimler (smart), Böblingen | OEM | Lead Buyer, Electronics | €60m spent |