Arla Foods Logistics Germany

In this feature with Logistics and Transportation Review Europe, Cleo Kortenhorst, Senior Logistics Manager Warehouse & Outbound at Arla Foods Logistics Germany emphasizes innovative strategies, process optimization, and trusting young talent for production efficiency and business growth.

Bio: My career journey began five years ago with a bachelor's in food technology, followed by a master's in logistics. Driven by a passion for both fields, I aimed to bridge the gap between the food industry and logistics. Upon completing my studies, I joined Arla Foods’ demand planning team, gaining valuable insights into diverse customer behaviors. Seeking more operational experience, I enrolled in a supply chain management traineeship program at Arla Global.

I then transitioned to the largest Arla site globally, and the second-largest dairy in Europe, where I engaged in project work closely tied to milk production. I started with project work and was closely involved in the production of UHT milk. After this inspiring experience, I spent six months in Sweden working on official projects for Arla, during which I gained exposure to a lot about cheese manufacturing, butter production and other production processes.

Upon returning, I was assigned a project on Europe’s biggest milk powder spray dryer, in October 2022. For a year, I guided the filling department as their team leader and in turn, it taught me how to set up a whole new department and establish the various processes involved. As time passed, I wanted to go beyond production and gain more logistics experience. I took up the free vacancy as a transport manager at Arla Foods’ in the outbound area, managing our fleet and third-party logistics (3PLs), exports and administration. Since April this year, my old department merged with the warehouse team. As of April 1st, I became the Senior Logistics Manager of Warehouse and Outbound overseeing three warehouses and a large number of employees.

In this feature with Logistics and Transportation Review Europe, Cleo Kortenhorst, Senior Logistics Manager Warehouse & Outbound at Arla Foods Logistics Germany emphasizes innovative strategies, process optimization, and trusting young talent for production efficiency and business growth.

We aim to create a clear vision of where we want to go and how to work with available data to gain the required insights.

Bio: My career journey began five years ago with a bachelor's in food technology, followed by a master's in logistics. Driven by a passion for both fields, I aimed to bridge the gap between the food industry and logistics. Upon completing my studies, I joined Arla Foods’ demand planning team, gaining valuable insights into diverse customer behaviors. Seeking more operational experience, I enrolled in a supply chain management traineeship program at Arla Global.

“We aim to create a clear vision of where we want to go and how to work with available data to gain the required insights.”

I then transitioned to the largest Arla site globally, and the second-largest dairy in Europe, where I engaged in project work closely tied to milk production. I started with project work and was closely involved in the production of UHT milk. After this inspiring experience, I spent six months in Sweden working on official projects for Arla, during which I gained exposure to a lot about cheese manufacturing, butter production and other production processes.

Upon returning, I was assigned a project on Europe’s biggest milk powder spray dryer, in October 2022. For a year, I guided the filling department as their team leader and in turn, it taught me how to set up a whole new department and establish the various processes involved. As time passed, I wanted to go beyond production and gain more logistics experience. I took up the free vacancy as a transport manager at Arla Foods’ in the outbound area, managing our fleet and third-party logistics (3PLs), exports and administration. Since April this year, my old department merged with the warehouse team. As of April 1st, I became the Senior Logistics Manager of Warehouse and Outbound overseeing three warehouses and a large number of employees.