Dirk Kartenbender
Head of Operations Portfolio Management
Dirk Kartenbender is an experienced operations and portfolio management executive with a proven track record of driving business optimization and transformation initiatives across the pharmaceutical and agrochemical industries. In his current role as Head of Operations Portfolio Management at Acino, he is responsible for overseeing the strategic planning, implementation, and performance management of the company's operational portfolio.
Professional Overview
Dirk is a strategic and analytical leader with expertise in operations, portfolio management, business integration, and organizational change management. He leverages his deep industry knowledge and cross-functional experience to devise innovative solutions that enhance operational efficiency, reduce costs, and improve overall business performance.
Experience Summary
Current Role
As Head of Operations Portfolio Management at Acino, Dirk is responsible for leading the company's operational portfolio strategy and execution. He oversees a team of portfolio managers and collaborates closely with functional leaders to align operations with the company's strategic objectives. Under his guidance, Acino has achieved significant improvements in supply chain optimization, production planning, and resource allocation, resulting in enhanced operational agility and cost savings.
Career Progression
Dirk's career trajectory spans over two decades, during which he has held various leadership roles in the pharmaceutical and agrochemical sectors. Prior to joining Acino, he served as the Lead Planning & Operations EAME (Commercial) at Syngenta, where he spearheaded the transformation of the company's commercial operations in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. In his previous roles at Syngenta, Dirk demonstrated his expertise in strategic planning, business integration, and organizational change management, leading to successful global and regional initiatives.
Academic Background
Dirk holds a Master's degree in Business Administration from the University of Basel, where he specialized in Operations Management and Supply Chain Optimization. His academic achievements include graduating with distinction and being recognized for his outstanding thesis on leveraging data analytics to improve supply chain resilience.
Areas of Expertise
- Operations management and portfolio optimization
- Supply chain and production planning
- Business transformation and change management
- Data-driven decision making and analytics
- Cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management
Professional Impact
Throughout his career, Dirk has been instrumental in driving significant business impact. At Syngenta, he led the implementation of a global integrated business planning process, resulting in a 15% reduction in inventory levels and a 10% increase in customer service levels across the EAME region. At Acino, he has overseen the successful integration of multiple manufacturing sites, enabling the company to achieve a 20% improvement in overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) and a 12% reduction in operational costs.
Conclusion
Dirk Kartenbender is a seasoned operations and portfolio management executive with a proven track record of delivering sustainable business improvements. With his deep industry expertise, analytical mindset, and collaborative leadership style, he is well-positioned to continue driving Acino's operational excellence and supporting its strategic growth initiatives.
