Dr. Thomas Andreßen is responsible for “Digital Innovations and Transformation within Operations” (Production, Maintenance, Storage/Loading and Packaging) at K+S Group in Kassel, which drives the strategical screening of technology developments, runs economic potential evaluation and enables the organization for adapting digital changes. Focus activities are: building R&D Cooperation with Universities, designing Technology Roadmaps, managing Innovation Portfolios, running PoC’s, driving the Change, and accelerating Utilization.

Thomas began his tenure with K+S as a global business consultant Manager for Procurement, Materials Management and Logistics. Thomas holds a Diplom-Kaufmann (Master) of Business Administration (MBA) and a Doctorate in Political Science (Dr. sc. pol.), specializing in the Economics of Procurement, Controlling and Intercompany Cooperation Management from the Christian-Albrecht-University in Kiel, Germany.  Thomas’ Experience is based on multiple roles, based in Germany and the Americas: Procurement (CPO Americas [U.S., Chicago], Deputy CPO [Canada, Saskatoon]), Global Product Cost Controls, and Operations Excellence (Global [Kassel]).

 

What is the pop in your job? What drives you? What is your passion?

"Organizational designs and Transformation processes! I follow Eisenhower’s quote: “Plans are worthless but planning is everything” (Dwight D. Eisenhower). Only by understanding the here and today, thinking into the future and designing scenarios we can manage the unpredictable. Robustness in Planning AND Agility in Execution enable organizations to manage disrupting challenges."

 

The roots of the K+S Group go back to the middle of the 19th century. At that time, miners in Germany extracted the world's first potash deposits and began producing fertilizers. Today, the K+S Group is an internationally oriented raw materials company with production facilities in Europe as well as North and South America. More than 14,000 employees all over the world make K+S successful and dynamic.