How has your career developed since joining DRÄXLMAIER as a trainee?

I joined DRÄXLMAIER as part of the 2018 trainee program in logistics planning for the Interior segment. I was enthusiastic about the logistics business from the start with its global material flows and complex interfaces to external suppliers or production, for example. My first station in supply chain coordination allowed me to immerse myself in logistics and the day-to-day business. 

During my three-month assignment at the Shenyang site in China, I got to know the processes at the plant from the ground up and put my technical knowledge into practice when I helped optimize logistics planning on site.

Further stations in the trainee program were the Logistics Project Management departments in the Battery, Material Flow and Packaging Planning, and Electrics segments, where I started in my current position directly. We are currently planning the logistics for new electrics projects in Europe, which will soon start into series production.

What advantages does the trainee program offer from your point of view?

An important advantage for me was the great freedom to shape the course of the program. Together with my mentor, I was able to create it very individually according to my interests. My mentor was also a fixed contact person for me right from the start.

But also with the other trainees, I immediately had a stable network of contacts in other segments and specialist areas. That gives you the opportunity to think outside the box and makes it easier, for example, to take on new tasks. 

What advice do you have for future trainees to succeed in the program?

I would definitely recommend taking advantage of the freedom that the trainee program offers. By that I mean, for example, taking a station in a completely different department, such as production or controlling. Later on, in the target position, it's usually not so easy to do that.