Experience report from Akshat Sondhi: Assistant General Manager

My background / my job

A person stands outdoors next to a blue thyssenkrupp sign, wearing a polo shirt and trousers, with trees and greenery visible in the background. — Assistant General Manager-Sales

My professional journey combines engineering expertise with a strong passion for people and partnerships. With a background in Industrial and Production Engineering, I have developed a solid understanding of manufacturing processes, systems thinking, and technical problem‑solving. Early on, I recognized that my particular strength lies in connecting technology with people.

Over the course of my career, Sales became my vocation. It allows me to translate complex technical solutions into real value for our customers while building long‑term, trust‑based relationships. In my role at thyssenkrupp rothe erde in India, I am involved in Sales and Service activities, the execution of business strategies, and the development of teams. Acting as an interface between customers, engineering, and internal stakeholders enables me to align technical feasibility with commercial objectives.

What drives me every day is continuous learning through close customer interactions, collaboration within global teams, and the exchange of diverse perspectives. Working across different regions, industries, and functions has broadened my professional outlook and supports my personal development. This combination of technical expertise, relationship‑building, and lifelong learning shapes my work and remains the key source of my motivation.

My Challenge

My position requires balancing strategic leadership responsibilities with hands‑on involvement in daily business. I lead a young and highly motivated Sales and Service team in India and at the same time act as a connecting link between our customers and thyssenkrupp rothe erde.

As the voice of the customer within the organization and simultaneously as a representative of our company in the market, I continuously balance commercial requirements, technical feasibility, and organizational priorities. Close coordination with international colleagues particularly in Germany is essential to ensure smooth alignment of engineering topics and customer expectations.

Unplanned situations, such as urgent requests or escalations, are part of everyday work. I address these challenges with clear prioritization, transparent communication, and a strong focus on teamwork. Staying flexible while keeping long‑term objectives in mind enables me to turn challenges into opportunities.

My typical working day

My working day usually begins with reviewing priorities, scheduled meetings, and customer commitments. This structure helps me stay focused and aligned. I then follow up on open tasks across cross‑functional areas such as engineering, quality, production, and global teams to ensure timely progress.

Direct interaction with our customers plays a central role in my work. Regular discussions and visits help me better understand customer needs, operational challenges, and future plans.

At the same time, Sales is dynamic by nature. Unplanned calls, urgent emails, or escalations require fast and decisive action.

The balance between structured planning and immediate responsiveness defines my working day and makes my role both demanding and fulfilling.

Our slogan is “engineering. tomorrow. together.”

For me, this slogan stands for collaboration, trust, and shared responsibility. It reflects the strength we gain from working across borders, functions, and cultures with one common goal.

Most importantly, it represents strong partnerships with our customers. Challenges are solved together, and success is created collectively. I firmly believe that sustainable growth and meaningful progress can only be achieved when we engineer the future together.

Realizing your potential, having fun, being happy

Rothe Erde has been more than just an employer to me for over 15 years. It is an organization defined by respect, trust, and a strong sense of belonging. The company culture encourages openness, responsibility, and initiative, creating an environment where people feel valued and empowered.

With a legacy of more than 160 years, Rothe Erde stands for engineering excellence. I see it as our responsibility to build on this foundation and shape the future together. Being part of this journey allows me to grow, contribute with passion, and find real satisfaction in my work.