Quality Management
Nationality: German
Business Unit and country: Monier Group
In the Group since: July 1993
Why did you decide to work for MONIER?
I am a material science engineer for building materials, binding agents, glass and ceramics. Monier therefore did not just match my training very well, it also had an excellent reputation in the industry. Since I had always been interested in the product portfolio of Monier, I knew that I would like working there. Enjoying my work is very important to me. And it is also the basis for performing your best for the company.
I identify with Monier as a manufacturing company and with its products. Roofing materials protect people and their belongings. What’s more, these products are visible from afar and they shape the look of the countryside.
Another incentive was the company’s international character, which gives you insight into different cultures and ways of thinking.
What was your first position in the group, and what were your subsequent career moves?
My first position was as press officer for the group’s technology press relations. I had the right technical knowledge, but I initially had to acquire some specific knowledge about roof technology. I had already gathered experience in technology press relations in my previous job at the former technical library for materials science of the German chemical industry. I now had to acquire some additional communication skills, that is, working in the specialist department of a large company, the necessary coordination processes and making and maintaining contacts to external groups such as journalists.
I then continued my career in the area of communication. As head of Press and Public Relations at Monier Braas GmbH, I was responsible for the company website and the internal employee newsletter, and for the customer magazine. My responsibilities also included looking after external associations and setting up a separate interest group together with other manufacturers.
In 2007, I had the opportunity to return to my true origins, so to speak. I was given the excellent opportunity to completely reposition the Quality department at Monier Braas GmbH. Maintaining close contacts with the colleagues in the Quality department and with production staff was a new challenge for me. It allowed me to learn a great deal and I enjoyed it very much. Together, we discussed and successfully implemented new projects. I realised then that communication skills can be of great help even in technical jobs.
Since March this year, as Quality Director, I have had the exciting opportunity to promote the topic of quality on group level.
To what extent have your experiences in the group helped you develop your personal and professional skills?
Without a doubt, the many years at Monier have helped me develop my skills. My responsibilities during my initial years helped me train my communication skills. These skills are useful for all kinds of situations and for working as part of a group. I also improved my ability to work under pressure and my stamina, and I became more success oriented. These are all important factors for successfully completing projects. Over the past few years, I gained further skills, such as designing processes, leading large teams of experts and significant expertise in the area of quality.
My main current challenges are in the area of internationality and the significantly wider range of products.
In what way is MONIER unique? How would you describe the company culture?
Over the years, Monier has developed from a number of very different companies. This means that in addition to the dominant group culture, there are many specific cultural aspects in the individual divisions. Then there are the national requirements of customers and employees. I have a feeling that over the past few years, the sense of belonging to the group has grown a lot in the individual companies – contributing factors were international meetings and good communication on group level.
Monier has set itself the task to develop a common understanding of certain topics throughout the group and anchor it within the organisations. On the other hand, the company must provide the necessary freedom that allows regional market requirements to be taken into consideration.
This task defines the complex and exciting culture of the Monier Group.
