He serves as honorary president of the Federation of German Industries.

He completed his Abitur at the Gymnasium Leopoldinium in Detmold.

[6][7] In 1967, Oetker entered Schwartauer Werke, which was part of his mothers inheritance.

He currently is the chairman of Dr. Arend Oetker Holding GmbH & Co KG which holds numerous participations, most notably at Schwartauer Werke and Swiss-based Hero.

[11] He is a colonel (Hauptmann) of the German army reserve.