As part of International Women's Day, we regularly portray remarkable women from Faller Packaging.
Katrin Schwarzwälder, Specialist Lean Management,
berichtet was Sie immer wieder an ihrem Beruf fasziniert und welche Tipps Frauen wirklich auf ihrem Weg ins Senior Management helfen.
Why did you choose your profession?
I chose to study packaging technology because it is a good mix of technology, natural sciences, design and business administration.
It is a wide-ranging degree programme with a high practical component and a variety of career opportunities.
What is your professional background?
After graduating with a bachelor's degree (Bachelor of Engineering Packaging Technology), it was important for me to gain as much practical experience as quickly as possible. This was possible in my first job as assistant to the branch manager of the plant in Waldkirch.
After about two years, the opportunity arose to train as a Lean Management Trainer.
In the meantime, I have moved to the Lean Management department at Faller, a very broad-based job with an exciting mix of theory (e.g. analyses and concepts) and practice (project and workshops).
The focus is on lean thinking: a holistic approach that is oriented towards value from the customer's point of view and tries to avoid any waste, which is very much my nature.
What motivates you in your daily work?
It motivates me when a task makes sense and moves the company forward.
In addition, the job in lean management offers many opportunities for personal development and to further expand or acquire various competences. It never gets boring.
Why did you choose Faller as your employer?
Faller is a medium-sized family business - that's what makes it so charming.
You can see that in the entire organisational structure; it's a great place to work together. I did an internship at Faller and knew afterwards that I wanted to work here.
Your advice to women who are interested in your profession?
Be bold!
I think it's exciting and it has always thrilled me to choose a more unknown or unusual path professionally.
If you are technically interested, if you are excited about the industrial production of things, then packaging technology can be right for you. Creative minds who like to develop are also right here.