Helmut Kainz
About Helmut Kainz
Helmut Kainz is the Strategic Sourcing Lead for Powertrain and NVH at Harley-Davidson Motor Company, where he has worked since 2011. He has extensive experience in supply chain integration, project management, and personnel management, with a background that includes roles at GUHRING LTD and ZF Lenksysteme GmbH.
Current Role at Harley-Davidson
Helmut Kainz serves as the Strategic Sourcing Lead for Powertrain and NVH at Harley-Davidson Motor Company. He has held this position since 2011 at the H-D Product Development Center in Wauwatosa, WI. In this role, he is responsible for managing sourcing strategies and integrating supply chain processes to enhance operational efficiency.
Previous Experience at Harley-Davidson
Before his current role, Kainz worked at Harley-Davidson in various positions. He was a Development Purchasing Engineer from 1996 to 2005, followed by a role as Development Purchasing Engineer, Sr. from 2005 to 2010. Additionally, he served as a Project Engineer for Parts & Accessories for one year in 1995. His extensive experience at Harley-Davidson spans over 15 years in the Product Development Center.
Education and Expertise
Kainz holds a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where he studied from 1989 to 1991. He also earned a Diplomingenieur (FH) in Mechanical Engineering from Fachhochschule Aalen from 1985 to 1989. His expertise includes supply chain integration, supplier validation, project management, innovation management, and commodity strategies.
Early Career and Internships
Kainz began his career at GUHRING LTD, where he worked as a Knowledge Engineer from 1989 to 1991 and as an Intern in 1988. He also gained experience as an intern at ZF Lenksysteme GmbH in Germany from 1986 to 1987. These early roles contributed to his foundational knowledge in engineering and sourcing.
Research and Development Experience
During his academic tenure, Kainz worked as a Research Assistant at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee from 1990 to 1991. This role involved supporting research initiatives, which enhanced his analytical skills and understanding of engineering principles, further complementing his professional experience in sourcing and project management.