I started my professional career training as a machinist at a company in Dresden which – just like KHS – is active in the beverage technology industry. Filling technology had me fascinated right from the start. Back then, there weren’t that many companies involved in filling technology which is why I then applied for a job with one of the three big players. I was lucky enough to be accepted by a company in Hamburg which manufactures filling and washing machines and was later taken over by KHS.
I started out as a service engineer, a job that I enjoyed for several years. In search of new challenges, I later took on the task of project manager and also of trainer. The next step for me was then to head up the After Sales and Field Service Department at KHS Plasmax GmbH. A few years ago I braved the next step and began my current position as managing director of KHS Pacific. One-and-a-half years ago I thus moved to Melbourne to manage the Tullamarine office with its 17 employees.
Of course, I can’t do without my morning coffee for the perfect start to the day! After this, sound organizational skills and good time management are called for because of the time difference of eight to ten hours with our colleagues in Germany. To keep processing times for our customers down to a minimum, I first work through all of the German mails before then devoting myself to everyday business. My typical tasks are therefore very varied which is why I’d describe my job as being extremely diverse, challenging and exciting. I’m mainly in sales but of course also work in service, where my tasks and responsibilities include providing customers with support, drawing up calculations, evaluating surveys and discussing offers. I also coordinate our processes and develop new strategies – a challenge I happily rise to. As managing director I also coordinate the members of our team and am thus responsible for their development. This also includes organizing workshops so that we’re all always up to date.
“Our sector is developing rapidly. This makes for lots of variety but also poses a number of challenges.”
It’s no coincidence that Australia’s famously known as Down Under. Life here is generally quieter, whether at home or at work. It’s therefore also not unusual for us to be very proactive in our approach to our customers; in Germany, it’s often the clients who make the first move. The country’s sheer expanse means that you’re often privileged to see lots of new places on your way to customers, even if there’s normally not much time to really explore them.
What doesn’t stand still, however, is the technology in our field of business. On the contrary: there’s plenty of rapid development that makes for lots of variety but also poses a number of challenges. One particular issue is the short lifespan of the technology used, forcing us to constantly drive alternative solutions at a fast tempo.
Australia is also famous for its diverse range of cultures. Our location is also characterized by multicultural partnership: there are people from nine different nationalities in the team we work with here.
Making sure that everyone can identify with their cultural background, work together in a friendly manner and find room to express their individual needs is a task that’s very close to my heart. My aim is to have every employee come to work with a smile on their face and at the end of the day to already look forward to the next one.
Once a month we have what’s known as a Culture Day where one nationality of our team is chosen to present their local cuisine. This gives us the chance to sit down together once a month to a delicious meal, exchange views in a pleasant setting and learn a little about the various cultures. The last Culture Day was devoted to Indian food and was a great success. Believe me, every month we’re setting a new benchmark here!
When I’m not working, I like to go hiking and revel in the sheer diversity of our natural surroundings. It’s thus very practical living in Melbourne where the outback with its wild wombats and kangaroos is just a 20-minute drive away. I also like to play golf in my free time on one of the numerous golf courses nearby – things are never boring here!
What’s especially exciting and changeable here is the weather; sometimes you can go through three seasons in the space of just one hour. The mild winter is also an absolute plus for me.
Melbourne is a big city with lots of noise and activity but it’s still a great place to live and it’s clean. Plus the countryside isn’t far away – I love living here. The many cultures found here are also reflected in the city’s restaurants; you can try anything from Australian specialties to delicious Chinese dishes.
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Katja Kuhlmann
Head of Goods Category Management Direct Materials | Purchasing and Logistics | Dortmund, Germany
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“Building up my network and intensifying my cooperation with my colleagues in Sales is very important to me.”
“I want to provide my workforce with an environment in which they can personally develop with confidence and are free to indulge their passion for the job.”
“I’ve learned to master challenging tasks with lots of commitment and to combine my job with a functioning family life.”
“All in all, my job is a combination of safety shoes and high heels – quite literally!”
“I’m especially moved when local workers on international assignments come and thank me for my support.”
“We always try to find the distinctive characteristics of each specific client - this makes KHS unique!”
“I love my work at KHS, the products and the challenges these bring. We’re like a family and I’m very happy about that.”
“The fascinating products and the opportunity to work with colleagues coming from all over the world are the reasons why I chose KHS in the first place.”
“It’s a great feeling to have solved a complex technical problem – every single time.”
“Time and again I realize just how important personal contact is for the results of our work.”
“Being able to familiarize myself with production at our international plants proved extremely informative and is still of immeasurable value to me today.”
“Learning a technical occupation at KHS is useful for all those who wish to work on an international level.”
“As an electrical engineer you solve both technical and economic problems. That’s what I love doing!”
