Capacity available now — enquiries welcome

Reliable tailwind
for your purchasing & exports,
whenever you need it.

Independent support for operational international purchasing and export management. Transparent, reliable and solution-focused — working in English worldwide and 100% remotely from the Baltic island of Fehmarn.

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Your situation

Peak workloads, bottlenecks, a growing backlog
and business still has to keep running.

It is rarely one big problem. It is the many small tasks that start to pile up.

  • Stretched teamToo many tasks, too little capacity in the team — and the daily orders and queries keep coming in regardless
  • Export backlogExport orders are piling up, and there is no time right now to get the documents right
  • No capacity leftNew tasks keep landing on the desk, but day-to-day business leaves no capacity for them
  • Supply chain snagsOverseas suppliers stall, delivery dates slip, the freight is stuck in port

6 yes/no questions · approx. 1 minute · evaluated only in your browser

Quick check · operational capacity

Question 1 of 6

Do operational tasks often sit for longer than planned?

0of 6 situations recognised

Little need for extra capacity at the moment

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For initial, non-binding guidance only. Your answers are evaluated only in your browser — they are neither stored nor transmitted.
Container ship in port at dusk
My services

Purchasing & export — just the way you need it

Peak workloads, bottlenecks, a growing backlog? I take on whatever you want to hand over — 100% remote and within a clearly agreed scope.

Operational purchasing

Order processing, supplier correspondence, expediting, supplier follow-up and tough price negotiations with overseas suppliers. I help you keep operational purchasing tasks moving when internal capacity runs short.

  • Placing, checking and tracking purchase orders
  • Aligning with suppliers on prices, delivery dates and availability
  • Expediting and resolving deviations
  • Handling complaints, backorders and delivery delays
  • Maintaining master and transaction data

Export management

Processing export orders properly, preparing documents carefully and coordinating with freight forwarders and customers.

  • Supporting ongoing export and order processes
  • Communicating with customers, freight forwarders and service providers
  • Shipping and order processing within your existing workflows
  • Tracking deliveries, deadlines and orders
  • Coordinating customs clearance via your freight forwarder

International communication

Clear, friendly and reliable coordination with international suppliers and customers.

  • Negotiating and corresponding in German and English
  • Involving the right contacts, keeping track of deadlines
  • Coordinating between internal and external parties

Projects & special assignments

I work through backlogged tasks, data sets and organisational matters in a structured way.

  • Clearing open cases and backlogged tasks
  • Cleaning up, completing and structuring master data
  • Creating and maintaining overviews, lists and documentation
  • Preparing information for analyses and decisions
  • Supporting organisational projects and system migrations
How we work together
In practice

Three cases from day-to-day business.

Companies anonymised.

Operational purchasing

When there is no stock to absorb the delay.

The problem

Make-to-order: production only starts once the order is placed, and there is no stock. If a delivery date slips, there is no buffer — and the customer’s production line comes to a standstill.

My solution

I spotted the delay during my regular delivery-date review — weeks before shipment, early enough to still make a difference. I spoke to the supplier and the customer and worked out which shipping route could still meet the deadline.

The result

Express shipment, paid for by the supplier — the goods were already late, and if shipped by sea, the customer would have missed their own delivery dates. The goods arrived on time, the line kept running, and there were no escalations.

Export management

When the goods travel faster than the paperwork.

The problem

A customer in Japan, a supplier in China. The sea route is short — the vessel often berths before the documents are ready. Then the goods sit in port, within sight. And without the bill of lading being released, the customer still cannot take delivery of their container.

My solution

Payment and documents had to be completed before the vessel berthed. Often everything hinged on the release from the freight forwarder in China. I chased it early, while the customer in Japan was waiting for the telex release.

The result

The release was in place when the vessel berthed — otherwise the goods would have sat in port for days, running up demurrage. This allowed the customer to meet all agreed delivery dates with their own customers as planned.

Master data and delivery dates

When nobody trusts the system any more.

The problem

Sales promise customers the dates they read in the system. If the data is wrong, the damage is gradual: commitments have to be withdrawn. Eventually nobody trusts the system any more, and every enquiry has to be checked by phone again.

My solution

Going through overdue order lists and delivery dates line by line, clarifying discrepancies with suppliers and correcting them. It is unglamorous work — and that is exactly why it tends to be left undone when things get tight.

The result

The dates were reliable again. Without the correction, sales would have had to keep withdrawing commitments — instead, they could give a customer a date they could rely on.

A row of colourful freight containers – purchasing & export worldwide
How we work together

Solution-focused, reliable, transparent.

01

Initial call

You describe your situation, the specific tasks and what is most urgent. Together we clarify what you need and whether I can support you effectively.

02

Handover

We sign a short service agreement. You set up my access and introduce me to the relevant contacts and processes — after that, I take responsibility for the agreed tasks. We agree on the scope and process of the handover clearly in advance.

03

Independent execution

I handle the agreed tasks independently. You always have a clear view of what has been done, what is still outstanding and where decisions are needed.

04

Ongoing updates

We stay in regular contact; priorities and scope can be adjusted flexibly. The nature and framework of our cooperation are clearly agreed in advance.

Your benefits

Your benefits at a glance.

Support exactly where you need it in day-to-day operations — without changing your structures.

Open cases stay on the radar — orders, delivery dates and queries keep moving, delays are spotted early

Your team gets relief — additional operational tasks no longer distract them from their core responsibilities

Partners get reliable responses — suppliers, customers and freight forwarders stay in the loop, and communication keeps flowing

Projects move forward — master data maintenance, documentation and preparation work no longer get left behind

Demanding phases stay manageable — during peak periods, vacancies or increased workloads

Cost efficiency

Flexible support instead of permanent fixed costs.

You pay for a service, not a headcount: exactly the scope you actually need — ad hoc, with reserved monthly capacity or per project.

+ 21% employer costs Gross salary PERMANENT EMPLOYEE
≈ 21%

No non-wage labour costs

In Germany, employer contributions add around 21% on average to the gross salary of a permanent employee. With external support, you pay no employer contributions, holiday pay or sick pay.

≈ 150 days VACANCY OPENS MONTH 6 Time until the position is filled
≈ 150 days

Vacancies often last for months

Depending on the role, region and labour market, filling a position can take several months. During that time, external support can continue to take pressure off your purchasing and export operations — after an agreed onboarding.

Permanent position — constant costs Actual workload
As needed

No permanent position

You use additional support exactly when it is needed — ad hoc, with reserved capacity or per project. Ideal for peak workloads, bottlenecks or vacancies.

Indicative figures, not an individual commitment. Actual employer costs and vacancy periods vary depending on the situation, health insurance fund, industry, region and position. Sources: German social security contribution rates 2026; StepStone data on vacancy periods.

Gantry cranes at a container terminal in the evening light
Ways to work together

Three models — matched to your needs.

Whether ad hoc support, regularly reserved capacity or a clearly defined project: together we choose the format that fits your tasks, your timeframe and your internal processes.

Flexible

One-off assignment

For clearly defined tasks, peak workloads or short-term needs. You engage me specifically when additional operational support is needed.

Predictable

Monthly capacity

For recurring needs and predictable support. I reserve an agreed amount of time for you, which you can use flexibly within the agreed framework.

Project-based

Tailored proposal

For larger projects, longer-term support, special assignments and more extensive clean-up work. We agree on the objective, scope and timeframe to suit the project.

You will receive the specific terms in your tailored proposal.
Feature One-off assignment Monthly capacity Tailored proposal
Use short-term regular larger projects
Scope per task agreed amount of time per project
Term ad hoc ongoing depending on the project
Reserved capacity no yes by arrangement
Billing based on time spent block of hours individually priced

Interested? Let’s talk — in an initial call we will find the right model together.

Get in touch
Wall of stacked Euro pallets
About me

Moin, I’m Birte.

Birte Hagen
Birte Hagen · Fehmarn

Since 2017, my working life has revolved around international trade: an apprenticeship in wholesale and foreign trade, specialising in foreign trade, followed by five years in export administration and operational purchasing — global sourcing, container exports to the Far East and Middle East, and inventory planning for large product ranges.

I know the days when overseas suppliers stall, the freight is stuck in the Port of Hamburg and three enquiries all need an answer at once. And I know in which order to tackle them.

Negotiating internationally, coordinating supply chains and seeing orders smoothly through the process — in German and English, with SAP and add*ONE. When things get hectic on your side, I support you in your day-to-day work.

Why remote from Fehmarn?

Modern international trade is not tied to a fixed office location. What matters is that I am reliably reachable, coordinate transparently and focus on solutions. From Fehmarn, an island in the Baltic Sea, I am available by phone, video and email — in whatever way works best for you.

From Fehmarn to Hamburg — and back

Eight years of city life, the port and international trade up close. What I learned in Hamburg, I now bring to clients all over Germany — from the island.

Education and qualifications

  • 2008–2014Secondary school certificateInselschule Fehmarn
  • 2014–2016Commercial assistant, information processingVocational school, Oldenburg
  • 2016Cambridge English certificate, B2Two months at a language school in Malta
  • 2016–2017Subject-specific university entrance qualification (business)Vocational upper secondary school, Neustadt
  • 2017–2020Apprenticeship in wholesale and foreign trade — foreign trade specialisationShipbuilding supplier — ship manoeuvring technology

Career

  • 2020–2021Export coordinator, Far East and Middle EastForeign trade company — B2B furniture exportContainer exports, letters of credit, sea and air freight
  • 2021–2025Inventory planning and operational purchasingIndustrial company — sealing technologyGlobal sourcing, from demand analysis to warehousing
  • 2025Return to FehmarnInternational trade, now remote
  • 1 Oct 2026Business officially launchedTailwind for your purchasing & exports

Systems in daily use

  • SAPMaterials planning, order processing, master data
  • add*ONEDemand and MRP planning
  • MS OfficeExcel for analysis, Word, Outlook

Digital ways of working

  • NotionFiling and process structures
  • n8nAutomating recurring workflows
  • Claude · ChatGPTResearch and writing — without client data
  • CanvaDocuments and graphics

Self-taught.

In foreign trade since 2017 Operational purchasing & inventory planning Export administration English B2, Cambridge certificate Industry · Furniture · Maritime technology Far East · Middle East · North America · Europe 100% remote
Tidy desk with monitor, keyboard and mouse — a workplace for remote collaboration
References

What former employers say.

“Very sound, thorough specialist knowledge … always got to grips quickly with new areas of work and fully understood even complex matters.”Employer reference, industry, 2025
“A very responsible, exceptionally hard-working and always reliable employee.”Employer reference, foreign trade, 2021
“Carried out her tasks with great commitment and personal dedication … even under time pressure, she managed every task.”Employer reference, industry, 2025
“Sound knowledge of all aspects of the export trade … with her tact in dealing with customers, she knows how to increase sales.”Employer reference, foreign trade, 2021
“Trustworthiness and great reliability consistently characterised her way of working.”Employer reference, industry, 2025
“Showed diligence, commitment and perseverance during her apprenticeship … always completed all tasks to our complete satisfaction.”Apprenticeship reference, 2020

All quotes are taken from existing employer references and translated from German; employers anonymised. Originals available on request.

Good to know

Key questions — clear answers.

How quickly can you start?
No lengthy lead time: I know purchasing and export processes from hands-on experience. After a short introduction and access setup by your IT team, we can get going quickly.
How do you access our systems?
For the agreed tasks I need access to your systems, e.g. via VPN, a virtual desktop or web login. I work 100% remotely with my own hardware and software and adapt to your system environment.
Which systems are you familiar with?
I use SAP and add*ONE routinely, plus the full MS Office suite. I quickly get up to speed with other ERP or procurement systems.
How much support can you offer?
That depends on your needs and my available capacity. I can take on individual tasks, reserve regular capacity for you or support you on a project basis. We clearly agree on scope and framework before we start.
How long are we committed?
That depends on the model you choose. Individual tasks can be booked on an ad hoc basis; ongoing capacity or projects are agreed for a suitable period. You will receive the specific terms clearly in a tailored proposal before you engage me.
Do you work exclusively for one company?
No. As a self-employed business owner, I work with several clients at the same time. This keeps me economically independent and lets me manage capacity flexibly.
What do you not take on?
I am a trained wholesale and foreign trade specialist and provide operational support, not consultancy services. Customs declarations are handled by your freight forwarder — I take care of the coordination. My services do not include formal export control checks or sanctions list screening, or legal, tax or customs advice. I only place orders above an agreed limit with your approval.
What about data protection and confidentiality?
Sensitive data is always processed in or via your systems. If personal data is processed, we enter into a data processing agreement (DPA) under Art. 28 GDPR. I keep all business matters strictly confidential — and I am happy to sign a non-disclosure agreement.
Contact

Drop me a line.
I’ll reply promptly and personally.

Email kontakt@birtehagen.de Phone +49 156 79812378 WhatsApp Start a chat
Location Fehmarn, Germany — working 100% remotely