DEUTSCHE BAHN
Jan Grothe , SVP Procurement Infrastructure at Deutsche Bahn , gives his insight into managing multi – billion – Euro , multi – year rail infrastructure contracts and the importance of digital technology
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I t ’ s fair to say that most supply chain executives had a metaphorical mountain to climb in 2020 and face an uphill task this year to achieve the ‘ next normal ’. The irony is not lost on Jan Grothe , Deutsche Bahn ’ s Senior Vice President of Procurement Infrastructure , who regularly climbs some of the world ’ s tallest peaks , and whose career path mirrors his passion .
“ I love challenges . I love ambitious goals and I love mountaineering ,” says Grothe from the rail and logistics giant ’ s Berlin headquarters . “ So even above 7,000 meters , wherever in the world you are , it ’ s the same story . You have an ambitious goal , you need to prepare for this if you want to reach the top . This is the same in the mountains as it is in business .”
The DB Group is one of the world ’ s leading mobility and logistics companies , employing around 338,000 people around the globe . They design and operate the transport networks of the future , moving people and goods via an increasingly smart and sustainable system .
FEBRUARY 2021