1. How long have you been with DPD?
I have been working for DPD (Schweiz) AG for almost two years now. I started work on 1 June 2022.
2. What does a typical working day look like for you as a HUB Manager at DPD Switzerland and what are your main responsibilities?
To be honest, there is no such thing as a typical working day for a HUB Manager, which is what makes the role so exciting. The Buchs hub in Zurich employs a total of 320 people in the areas of delivery, sorting and scheduling. Every day, my challenge is to strike the right balance between costs, quality and personnel. Basically, my main tasks are to achieve the required goals and at the same time maintain a balance with my team.
3. Are there any particular challenges you face in your area of responsibility? And if so, how do you overcome them?
One particular challenge is being able to correctly estimate how parcel volumes will change. This ensures that the workload involved and the available resources are optimally matched. I rely on everyone’s flexibility in order to be able to overcome the daily challenges together. Regular communication with my direct colleagues in order to make the right decisions wherever possible is an excellent point of reference.
4. How important is working with the DPD drivers and other team members to ensure that everything runs smoothly at the depot?
Collaboration with all employees, regardless of their hierarchical level and function, guarantees success and is extremely important. Personally, it is very important to me that people treat each other as equals, treat each other with respect and cultivate an honest and open dialogue. This also includes a healthy feedback culture so that we can learn from mistakes together. It gives me great pleasure to see employees and supervisors trying out new things in order to simplify their work and also increase quality.
5. What are your favourite activities outside of work?
To balance things out, I go to the gym two to three times a week. I do some skiing in winter, motorbiking in summer and hiking in autumn. Activities with my family and/or friends are also very important to me.
6. Is there anything you would definitely like to do or experience?
My dream has always been to go on a language holiday in a foreign country. Unfortunately, this was not possible for me when I was young for personal reasons. But now, thanks to DPD, it looks like I will be able to make this dream a reality and will probably go to England for six weeks in the autumn, where I will be able to both improve my English and work for DPD UK.
7. Do you have a favourite book or film? And if so, why that one exactly?
Books and I were not and will not be friends. 😊 I do have a favourite film though: Braveheart. Why that one? The film touches me because, on the one hand, it is about freedom, love and camaraderie, but it also contains the necessary amount of action. This interplay makes the film a masterpiece for me.
8. Name three personal values that are important for you and others to have.
Openness, honesty and trust.
