Experience report - Kim-Nina Ridder

My background / my job

Woman with blond hair, wearing a beige blouse, against a light background — Key Account Manager at thyssenkrupp rothe erde Germany GmbH

My professional career started right after the Abitur with an apprenticeship as an Industrial Clerk and dual studies (as a B.A in International Management) at one of the best known DAX companies. Luckily, I got the chance to start my career in the Strategic Procurement. I worked as a Global Commodity Manager for Machined Casting Components for almost 7 years.

In order to enlarge my knowledge and become an even more qualified generalist, I did my M.Sc. in Marketing & Communication in an evening study program.

After having gained great experiences after my graduation, being abroad quite often and for a long time, in order to search for new potential suppliers, audit them and accompany them till release of serial production, I knew it was time for a change.

And that’s how I came to thyssenkrupp rothe erde and entered into the PSM Organization (Procurement and Supply Management). The major job content was related to the following topics: leading change management within a transformation, introducing an international procurement guideline within all Operating Units, developing a new supplier audit system and implement the first SRM system within the Business Unit.

Now, after roughly 3 years, I am very grateful to get the chance to change views and be part of the Sales community, as Key Account Manager. This is a real challenge, which I would like to face.

Our challenges

The biggest challenges I have faced and still face in international business are when it comes to working together as a partner and colleague: openness to change; different cultural mindsets; building trust and language barriers. And certainly there is much more to overcome.

Being able to manage change management processes properly is in my opinion one of the core skills of executives.

Our typical working day

No day is like the other, but for sure there is a repetitive process.

As I worked in the business unit, most of my working day consisted of being on site at the plants or holding video or telephone conferences with PSM colleagues from the operating units. As part of my sales job, I am happy to travel around the globe, hold personal meetings and workshops with colleagues and customers, and of course to negotiate with customers.

„engineering. tomorrow. together.” Together means for me …

working together as a team
trying to get rid of silo thinking
involving the younger generation and people from other departments to challenge ideas
creating value for thyssenkrupp rothe erde!

My employer thyssenkrupp rothe erde

First of all, I am very convinced of the products thyssenkrupp rothe erde produces. Furthermore, I am sure of the fact that we can contribute to making our world greener and more livable again, because the majority of our products are core components of a wind turbine.

But for sure: the more globalization and cost pressure will arise, the more flexibility and agility in different areas will be required in the near future. In the end, this will also have effects on the company culture.