What jobs has your career with Henkel involved?
I studied chemistry at the University of Bochum and visited Henkel on a tour during my studies. My entry into the company was as a patents clerk for liquid detergents and fabric conditioners. Then I moved into product development and became R&D Manager for textile after-care treatments, especially for fabric conditioners and ironing aids. From 2001 to 2003 I worked in France. I was in the local product development department for fabric conditioners and home care products in Reims. Back in Düsseldorf I worked for two years as R&D Manager in the Home Care department, specifically for bath and WC cleaners. Now, as part of a job rotation scheme, I am working as Market Manager in the Strategic Business Unit for universal detergents. From November 2006 I will be managing the product development for special detergents, and textile pre-care and after-care treatments.

What projects have you already worked on?
The work on the Bref Power cleaner was something special as we opted a new approach. The idea was to demonstrate the product advantages to the consumer in a totally new way. Bref Power cleaner was launched in August 2004 and in February 2005 we won the innovation prize with it. Then one year later our lab won the innovation prize again, with Alessi Fresh Surfer, which combines leading-edge functionality with design.

What does your work entail today?
As International Market Manager for Detergents I am currently controlling activities involved in bringing universal detergents onto the market next year and in the coming years. As next year is Persil’s 100th anniversary, there is a lot of work to do. For my future jobs this job rotation scheme has mainly given me a strategic way of thinking and an ideas-based approach to work.

Do you travel in the course of your work?
Yes, particularly as R&D Manager I went on regularly trips to our factories in France, Italy, Spain and Hungary. Various projects took me to China, Japan and Turkey. Being on site is a must because personal contact is tremendously important for success, and I notice I always return from trips with lots of important information and impressions.