Interview with Norman Schmitz
Our alumnus Norman Schmitz (graduated in 2014, CEMS - Master in Supply Chain Management) is a manager in the CFO Board Office at Henkel. He supports the CFO in the design and management of strategic projects, the identification and development of future trends with a focus on digitalization and sustainability. We spoke to him about challenges in global supply chains, sustainability, digitalization and networking. He also gives valuable tips to our students.
Looking at Henkel as a whole, we aim to become climate-positive and, as a consumer goods company, to promote the circular economy in particular.
Mr Schmitz, climate change and digitalization are two topics that are currently dominating the public debate. What sustainable contributions are you making at Henkel to slow down climate change and promote digitalization?
The topics of digitalization and sustainability have become increasingly important in the public debate, especially the topic of sustainability. The situation is similar for companies. However, neither of these topics is new territory. The topic of sustainability has a long history at Henkel. Our first sustainability report was published back in 1992. A little before my time. But we pick up on these strong trends at Board Office level and support corresponding projects, which are then driven forward by our respective specialist departments. Looking at the big picture, so to speak. With regard to Henkel as a Group, we want to become climate-positive and, as a consumer goods company, promote a circular economy in particular.
In the area of finance, the entire topic of sustainability is addressed as part of ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) issues. We make a contribution here through projects in our purchasing organization and in the area of sustainable finance, among other things. Procurement supports the development towards a sustainable circular economy and procurement (e.g. recyclable packaging or purchasing renewable energies). In the area of sustainable finance, we focus on sustainable financing solutions and transparent reporting with regard to ESG. For example, Henkel was the first company in the world to place a bond to reduce plastic waste.
In my role and from the perspective of a company’s finance department, we focus primarily on automation and AI solutions
As far as digitalization is concerned, Henkel gave the topic new weight at the end of 2019 with the creation of a dedicated CDIO post. With the bundling of digital expertise and close alignment with our business units, this is where the threads come together. The D2C area, i.e. our direct business relationship with the customer, is a particular focus here.
In my role and from the perspective of a company's financial organization, we primarily deal with automation and AI solutions along our business processes. The aim is to make our processes more agile and efficient while generating better insights for our business.
The difficulties in global supply chains are causing problems for consumer goods companies around the world, how are you dealing with this at Henkel?
At the beginning of the corona crisis, one of the biggest challenges was to secure production and the entire supply chain processes.
Within the first 6 months of the crisis, we had to manage around 500 Covid-related delivery failures worldwide. Our central purchasing and supply chain organization helped us to overcome this challenge. The digital networking and high transparency of the processes enabled us to react quickly and flexibly. This enabled us to anticipate supply bottlenecks for certain materials and finished products and estimate the impact on customers and sales relatively well. Our complete end-to-end process view allowed us to initiate countermeasures at an early stage.
In this context, we have created a dedicated team within our purchasing organization that focuses on managing such crisis situations and works closely with our global suppliers.
How do you keep yourself up to date professionally? Do you follow any blogs, podcasts or social media channels?
Due to the wide range of topics, my media consumption is also quite varied and event-related. But there is one constant: I'm a fairly traditional and loyal reader of Manager Magazin and Der Spiegel.
Contacts within the business world and beyond should be established and maintained at an early stage
To what extent did the topic of "networking" already play a role during your studies?
Networking was already a key topic during my studies. Contacts in the business world and beyond should be made and cultivated early on. This also makes it easier to start a career later on and gain initial experience in the form of internships. At the time, I had an excellent network thanks to my membership of the PIM&CEMS Student and Alumni Club Cologne e.V., which I have already mentioned above. As a student association, the club offered social events as well as company events and close contact and exchange with alumni. I also learned to appreciate the great added value of the CEMS network at the University of Cologne and a global mindset for the first time.
What is the most important content or insight from your studies for your current job?
My most important insight was that the specific content of a management/business studies course is only of limited relevance later on and is more useful for a fundamental understanding of interrelationships. Much more important are the skills that you develop during your studies: Communication skills, teamwork, self-organization, cultural openness, flexibility. Everything can be learned later through on-the-job training. Especially in today's world where you go through many jobs in the course of your career.
Being open-minded and broadening your horizons, making the most of a semester abroad (...) and getting to know the diversity of the world. A degree offers all of this, and these are experiences you should take with you
Please complete: "When I think back to my student days in Cologne, I think of ..."
...of student life and the lifestyle in Cologne. And of course my semester abroad in Brazil!"
What advice would you like to give our students? What are your three tips?
Studying alone is not everything and does not automatically lead to success. It is crucial to gain practical experience during your studies and to get an insight into the world of work through internships / working student activities or gap years. This not only opens doors afterwards, but also helps with later career orientation.
Open-mindedness and broadening your horizons, taking advantage of opportunities such as a semester abroad to leave your own bubble and get to know the diversity of the world. A degree course offers you all of this and you should take these experiences with you. It shapes you as a person and later also shapes your own career and personal development.
Thank you very much for the interview!
Interview: Ayla Wisselinck