What attracted you to Henkel? What were your first steps at Henkel? I first got in touch with Henkel through the Henkel Innovation Challenge, which was a wonderful experience. I participated together with two other CEMSies and we won the international final. I then started my career at Henkel with a CEMS internship in Dusseldorf - as an assistant of the Global Manager of Diversity and Inclusion. One year later, after my graduation, I joined Henkel in Belgium as a Junior Brand Manager on Persil and Le Chat. What are your current responsibilities? I currently work at the headquarters in Dusseldorf. I’m part of the International Marketing Unit for Laundry Care, working on Leading Premium brands. Our team focuses on the emerging markets, which provides me with a lot of new and interesting insights. Besides steering regions such as Latin America and Middle East North Africa, we develop global laundry projects that will afterward be rolled out in the countries.
Marin Schuerman Düsseldorf, International Manager Laundry Care, CEMS MIM 2010 “I would have never enjoyed working at Henkel so much if it weren’t for the great people. It’s been a real blessing being part of such international, highly motivated teams that know how to work and play hard!”
What is the best thing working for Henkel? It’s impossible for me to choose between the international opportunities and the Henkelaners! On the one hand I really appreciate that Henkel encourages and enables even young managers to gain experience abroad. On the other hand, I would have never enjoyed working at Henkel so much if it weren’t for the great people. It’s been a real blessing being part of such international, highly motivated teams that know how to work and play hard! Do you have any advice for CEMS students /Alumni to be successful in their career development? I’d recommend all CEMSies to participate in as many career events as they possibly can. This way, they will be able to base their choice for a first employer on more than just a company name or reputation. Additionally, I advice them to fully utilize all of the networking possibilities they’re presented with. Being part of the global CEMS network will always be beneficial and fun!
What attracted you to Henkel? What were your first steps at Henkel? My first contact with Henkel was at ESADE’s CEMS class on Global Supply Chain management with a case study and guest lecture on CPFR pilot projects in Spain: Henkel appeared to me as an innovative and advanced FMCG multinational. During my second study-abroad semester I got a call from my future mentor at Henkel – promptly after the selection process I accepted a 6 months internship in International Marketing, Beauty Care. The experience of new product development, project management and international business coordination in the Skin Care strategic business unit, Düsseldorf Headquarters, was such a great fun that I even prolonged my stay. In the beginning of 2011 I was offered a Junior Brand Manager position on Skin Care in Russia.
Alexander Shutkin Moscow, Brand Manager, Henkel Beauty Care, CEMS MIM 2010 “Love it, change it or leave it”. Be proactive, take initiative, grasp opportunities and build your career yourself. Last but not least, keep networking and make your network work.”
What are your current responsibilities? Since February 2012 I’m working as Brand Manager Hair Colorants responsible for a portfolio of 10 coloration brands under two of Henkel Beauty Care big hair umbrellas – Schwarzkopf & SYOSS. It´s an exciting world of cosmetics and beauty; an everyday challenge of understanding consumer needs (mostly women) and responding with a set of marketing activities, tailored to the dynamic Russian & CIS market and competitive environment. If you had international job rotations, how have these been relevant for your career? At Henkel, as in many other multinational companies, high level of international mobility is greatly appreciated. There’s even a special concept “Triple two” which implies international job rotation as one of the 3 necessary steps for senior and top management jobs on a corporate level. For me changing from international marketing in Germany to local in Russia has been very professionally enriching. It broadens your mind, gives you a ‘helicopter view’, makes you know ‘the other side’ while growing your professional network. Do you have any advice for CEMS students /Alumni to be successful in their career development? “Love it, change it or leave it”. Be proactive, take initiative, grasp opportunities and build your career yourself. Last but not least, keep networking and make your network work.