German kitchen manufacturer Poggenpohl has made organisational changes to its senior management, “as part of its course of renewal”.

The expected changes are due to the departure of long-serving employees, with a series of internal promotions to fill the vacancies, as well as newly-created positions.

Head of customer service Michael Schwarze

Managing director Dirk Lange has expanded the Customer Service division to include the Disposition and Export departments.

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Michael Schwarze will take over the management of the newly-created department on May 1 2022, replacing head of purchasing Philipp Schutte, who will leave the company in June at his own request.

Schwarze has been in charge of the key account business in almost all countries since his apprenticeship at Poggenpohl in the early 2000s, with a series of promotions up to export manager and now head of customer service.

Dirk Lange commented on his appointment: “It is a great pleasure that Mr Schwarze has pursued and continued his career path so purposefully within our company.

“Poggenpohl draws on the many years of business experience of its employees. Michael Schwarze not only knows the kitchen world, he understands the national and international dynamics that our market segment is currently experiencing.”

Jan Brinkmann

He will be joined by Jan Brinkmann, who also has an international career at Poggenpohl, to pursue the expansion and improvement of processes within customer service.

An additional management position will also be filled in the Strategic Purchasing department.

“Philipp Schutte has given Poggenpohl far-reaching impetus during his many years with the company and his successful purchasing management,” summarises Lange.

“We wish him continued success and expressly all the best for his professional and private future.”

Vincent Kuiper named head of Poggenpohl Academy

The manufacturer is also focused on expanding training, with Vincent Kuiper taking charge of the newly-founded Poggenpohl Academy, which will offer training for its worldwide dealer network and employees.

“Mr Kuiper’s many years of frontline experience in the kitchen industry and his personal enthusiasm for the cause make him an ideal choice for the management position at the head of the Academy”, said Dirk Lange.

After 30 years, head of finance Ralf Vahle is also leaving the company this summer and will retire.

“With Mr Vahle, we are saying goodbye to a highly respected personality of integrity at Poggenpohl. In his 18 years of management, he has actively helped to shape the direction of the company and has left behind his clear signature.

“We would like to thank Mr. Vahle for this and wish him all the best from the entire staff for the time after his active professional life”, stated Lange.

Vahle’s duties will be taken over by Zhen Huang, who strengthened the finance department last year.

Zhen Huang named head of finance

Born in Shanghai, the business economist, who has lived in Germany for more than 30 years and holds a doctorate in Bayreuth, brings further commercial expertise to the team.

Lange stated: “We are pleased to have Dr Huang for this important management role and see in him the right profile to support our company in the planned renewal with drive”.

Dirk Lange commented on the strategic development of the business: “We see incomparable potential for Poggenpohl in the national and international market, because our core competence, the development of luxurious kitchen architecture, is perceived particularly well here.”

And he outlined his goal: “Our definition of the Poggenpohl brand must be experienced by the customer throughout, from the materiality, the customary quality of workmanship Made in Germany, our own design language to the customisability within the kitchen planning and after-sales service – and this in our own stores and with our partners.

“The Jomoo Group has great confidence in this successful course, which we intend to pursue with determination here at the location and with the entire team in the country organisations”.