In conversation
Just
asked
Julia Kümmerling
She had actually completed her training as a wholesale and foreign trade clerk at a dealer for construction machinery spare parts. However, due to the economic situation there, Julia Kümmerling had to quickly change her career again. And she was lucky. Through a tip from a colleague, she heard about a vacancy in technical insulation and finally landed at Von Guttenberg — thirteen years ago.
What has changed since you started working for Von Guttenberg?
A lot! I have changed a lot. When I started, I was more the type of a “little wallflower”. I didn’t dare to communicate with others and was rather quiet. That has changed a lot over the years. Especially when dealing with our clients. You inevitably become more open — and more robust.
I worked in technical insulation for a few years until I switched to structural engineering. Here, together with Thomas Stabrey, I look after the drop-ship business, i.e. everything that concerns the really big projects. It’s a great area in which you can literally blossom.
And then, of course, the progress within the company. In the past, everything was filed in folders in duplicate. Today, most of us don’t even have a piece of paper on our desk. You can see that a lot has changed. And it’s nice to be able to follow that through the long time you’ve been there.
How can you contribute your strengths to the company?
For example, through the calculation. Von Guttenberg gave me a lot of support so that I could do my business degree alongside my job. Today I can use this experience for and in the company. It makes it easier for me to calculate prices for our customers, to evaluate key figures for the company or to conduct sales talks.
What does a typical day look like for you?
I would describe myself as the “girl for everything”. Everything is involved, from customer acquisition, preparing quotations, order processing and ordering from suppliers to invoicing. There are only two of us in the department. So each of us has to be able to do everything. But that always makes it exciting and ultimately very varied.
What is special about the Amt Wachsenburg location?
That we have all been there for a very long time. We all know each other not only as colleagues — it is much more friendly and very familiar. We all know how to judge each other. You know whether someone is in a good mood or not. And that’s what makes it work. That’s why it’s a pleasure to work here.
What advice do you give to young people who want to apply to Von Guttenberg?
First and foremost, it’s nice to work together here. Of course, you have to be an open type. Because you have a lot of contact — be it on site, on the phone or with the customer. So if you like dealing with people and have fun doing it, this is the right place for you.
The best thing about Von Guttenberg in one sentence?
The best thing about Von Guttenberg is the cohesion among the colleagues.
