CAREER STATION · IT DISTRIBUTION · PRODUCT & BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
Computer 2000 / Tech Data
Expanding responsibility. Developing vendor business. Improving results.
From starting in the logistics center to completing a commercial apprenticeship as Wholesale and Foreign Trade Merchant, through to product and sales management. Developing vendor business with HP, IBM, and Acer – with responsibility for product lines, sales marketing, business planning, and collaboration with vendors and sales teams.
- Period
- June 1999 – September 2001
- Company & Location
- Computer 2000 / Tech Data · Munich, Germany
- Position
- Junior PM · Sales Manager PC Systems
MY RESPONSIBILITY
Three vendors. Distinct business objectives.
HP · MOBILE COMPUTING
Strengthening product sales in retail.
Assumed responsibility for product management and sales marketing for HP Mobile Computing following apprenticeship completion. Collaborating with vendors and sales teams for enterprise, mid-market, and retail segments; marketing planning, purchasing forecast, and monitoring inventory KPIs.
IBM · HARDWARE
Advancing an established business.
Responsibility for sales marketing, annual business planning, and budgets across the IBM hardware product line. Development of sales enablement programs for PC systems, ThinkPads, and servers in close cooperation with procurement, IBM partner sales, and internal sales teams.
ACER · VENDOR LAUNCH
Introducing a new brand to distribution.
Additional responsibility for onboarding Acer as a new distribution vendor. Product setup in SAP, business planning, purchasing forecasting, and B2B marketing campaigns. Joint development of the retail business with Acer and Tech Data sales teams.
SELECTED RESULTS
Improved IBM performance. Successfully launched Acer.
Turned the previously loss-making IBM business into a profitable operation. Managed the most revenue-strong launch of a new vendor in the company’s history with Acer – officially commended in writing by the CFO.
In the HP business, expanded revenue and market presence in partnership with vendor and sales teams, won tender bids, and strengthened positioning in mid-market and retail channels.
CAREER DEVELOPMENT
Delivering performance. Assuming broader responsibility.
Following the successful completion of my apprenticeship, I was promoted to Junior Product Manager for HP Mobile Computing. In 2000, I transitioned to Sales Manager for IBM Hardware – a business management role with responsibility for sales marketing, business planning, and budgets. Subsequently, my scope expanded to include building the Acer distribution business.
My career path thus progressed from managing a specialized product line to cross-vendor product and sales management for PC systems – reporting directly to executive business unit directors.
THE FOUNDATION
Experiencing trade from logistics to product management.
My journey began in 1996 alongside secondary school, working evening shifts at the logistics center in Moers. There, I gained first-hand operational insight into goods receipt, warehousing, order picking, shipping, and inventory management.
After completing high school, I began my commercial apprenticeship as Wholesale and Foreign Trade Merchant at the Munich headquarters in September 1997. Due to outstanding academic and professional performance, I fast-tracked and completed the program early in June 1999.
During my apprenticeship, I was actively involved in software product and sales management: executing B2B marketing campaigns, monitoring inventory metrics, and managing procurement workflows in SAP. Recommendations from team members and department heads led directly to my transition into product management.
Expanding practical experience with academic studies.
In September 2001, I concluded my employment at my own request to pursue full-time business administration studies at FHW Berlin. Moving to Berlin marked the simultaneous start of my engagement with product+concept.
DOCUMENTS & CONTACT
Does my profile fit your requirements?
I look forward to exchanging ideas with companies and executive recruiters. My CV as a PDF and employment references are available upon request.