In a noteworthy development, the online supermarket Knuspr in Germany and Gurkerl in Austria have announced a significant internal management change. Going forward, the subsidiaries of the Rohlik Group will be jointly overseen by a triumvirate of accomplished individuals: Carolin Kracmer, serving as the Marketing Director, Stephan Lüger, assuming the role of Commercial Director, and Lorenz Diederichs, taking charge as the Operations Director/COO. This strategic shift follows a transitional phase during which Olin Novák managed the business alongside the previous Managing Director, Erich Comor. Novák, having fulfilled his role during this transition, will now resume his position as CEO International within the Rohlik Group. It is worth noting that Comor had previously announced his intention to step down from the role of managing director by the end of May.
Carolin Kracmer, in her capacity as Marketing Director, assumes responsibility for all aspects of brand management, digital strategies, and communication strategies at Knuspr and Gurkerl. Additionally, she will oversee the management of campaigns and brand-related projects. Kracmer brings with her a wealth of international experience in brand and marketing management, garnered over a span of more than 15 years. Her previous engagements include a prominent role at Coca-Cola Great Britain. Prior to joining Knuspr and Gurkerl, Kracmer held the position of Vice President Brand, Marketing & Media Strategy at Sky Germany. She expresses her enthusiasm, stating, “I am eagerly looking forward to continuing our success story and positioning ourselves as the premier online food retailer in Germany and Austria.”
Meanwhile, Stephan Lüger, an esteemed retail expert boasting over 20 years of industry experience, including a stint at Metro, assumes a key leadership position. Born in Essen, the 46-year-old has progressed steadily from his early days in the finance domain to his current role as head of purchasing. Notably, Lüger played a pivotal role in the establishment of Gurkerl in Vienna at the beginning of 2020. Regarding the aspirations of the team, Lüger states, “Our objective is nothing short of revolutionizing the German and Austrian food trade. Undoubtedly, it will not be without its challenges, but together we are on a highly promising trajectory, and I eagerly embrace the forthcoming opportunities.”
Lorenz Diederichs, following a military career as an officer, served as a key member of the Amazon Fresh Launch team in Germany, occupying various managerial positions in Operations. Most recently, he successfully managed Amazon Fresh Warehouse Operations for Germany. Diederichs envisions the establishment of the most efficient logistics centers and delivery processes in the realm of online grocery retail. He emphasizes the Rohlik Group’s competitive advantage in this domain, stating, “I firmly believe that the Rohlik Group is already in pole position in this regard, as the organization possesses an unparalleled focus on e-grocery, coupled with unrivaled IT and automation expertise.”
The appointment of these accomplished individuals marks an important milestone in the growth trajectory of Knuspr and Gurkerl. With their expertise and shared vision, the Rohlik Group is poised to redefine the landscape of the German and Austrian food trade, while enhancing their reputation as leaders in the realm of online grocery retail.
