Interview
Why did you choose the QUSH degree programme at Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences?
After finishing my A-levels, I found it difficult to settle on a subject that would ideally keep me interested for the next 40 years in my professional life. I’m from Kleve, so I quickly came across Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences. QUSH covers a very broad spectrum, simply through its four subject areas: ‘Quality, Environment, Safety and Hygiene’. Added to this is the combination of natural sciences and traditional management subjects – in my view, this was a very interesting mix that would give me plenty of options for my future career.
The diversity I’d expected was confirmed during my studies. The first few semesters in particular are packed with the fundamentals of natural sciences, which you sometimes have to struggle through. But it’s worth it, as you gain a fundamental understanding of a broad range of topics. The ‘Quality’ module forms the central theme and runs through the entire course with subjects such as Fundamentals of Quality Management, Integrated Management Systems and Auditing. I quickly realised that I was interested in the topic of management systems and therefore used my Internship semester to gain initial insights into the implementation of an integrated management system within a company.
What was the topic of your Bachelor’s thesis?
I wrote my Bachelor’s thesis as a practical project at WALTHER Faltsysteme GmbH in Kevelaer. The topic was ‘Optimisation of the Integrated Management System at WALTHER Faltsysteme GmbH with particular reference to DIN EN ISO 9001:2015’.
It’s a rather unwieldy title, so let me explain briefly for clarity:
A management system describes how a company organises itself in terms of structures and processes to systematically ensure smooth operations, meet internal and external requirements, and achieve planned results. It can be structured and certified according to various standards, such as DIN EN ISO 9001 for quality management systems.
An integrated management system comprises several management systems; at WALTHER Faltsysteme, for example, a quality, environmental and energy management system. In the past, management systems often ran in parallel, which meant a high administrative and maintenance burden for companies. In 2015, there was a major revision of standards, including ISO 9001 and ISO 14001. This revision fundamentally changed the structure of the standards and introduced several new requirements. The so-called ‘High Level Structure’ established a uniform content structure for management system standards, designed to make it easier for companies to integrate the requirements of different management system standards. Today, integrated management systems have become established to achieve synergy effects and a holistic approach within the company.
At WALTHER Faltsysteme, too, the three management systems were only partially integrated. As part of my Bachelor’s thesis, I identified the (new) requirements of the three relevant management system standards, compared them and summarised them in a catalogue of requirements for an integrated management system. A further objective, alongside harmonising the standard requirements, was to better link the standard requirements with the company’s processes. I therefore developed proposals for a standards-compliant and beneficial implementation within the company for selected aspects, including the establishment of an intranet as a central information platform and for document control.
What happened next in your career after graduating in 2017?
I completed both my Internship semester and my Bachelor’s thesis at WALTHER Faltsysteme. Incidentally, I got to know the company during a ‘speed dating’ event organised by Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences. Companies from the region and students have 10 minutes to introduce themselves and get to know one another. And it was a match – I’m still employed by the WALTHER Faltbox Group today!
I was already offered a permanent position during my Bachelor’s thesis. Thanks to the Internship semester and the Bachelor’s thesis, we’d had nearly a year to get to know each other, so I was happy to accept the offer.
There was no full-time position in the management systems department at the time, so I had a great deal of freedom from the outset and my role has developed dynamically. All the issues that no department initially knew what to do with ended up on my desk. In addition to overseeing the Integrated Management System, my responsibilities have also come to include, for example, the area of product specifications.
At the end of 2022, WALTHER Faltsysteme GmbH and its long-standing production partner Formex Plastik GmbH merged to form the “WALTHER Faltbox Group”. It quickly became clear that we needed a joint Integrated Management System to support the merger of the companies and ensure we were future-proofed. Since then, we have been working on establishing an Integrated Management System for the group and are gradually merging the existing management systems and structures in both companies. Today, I oversee the Integrated Management System for the WALTHER Faltbox Group, covering the certified areas of quality, environmental and energy management, as well as occupational health and safety and data protection. The topics of compliance management and sustainability are also becoming increasingly relevant.
What is your typical working day like?
Since the end of 2022, I have been primarily focused on merging the management systems. As the approaches adopted in both companies have, in some cases, been very different, we are delving deeply into the groundwork and developing a new Integrated Management System for the WALTHER Faltbox Group based on the existing structures.
In practical terms, this means that I examine various aspects of the integrated management system in detail as part of smaller or larger projects. This could be, for example, setting up a group-wide intranet to provide colleagues with all the relevant information and documents for their day-to-day work, documenting processes with those responsible for a wide range of areas, restructuring energy data collection and analysis, or even more theoretical topics, such as the systematics of the legal obligations register. In standard terminology, this is summarised as the ‘continuous improvement’ of the system.
Added to this are the classic tasks within the management system, such as the maintenance and upkeep of the system and documents, supporting external audits and conducting internal ones, or the preparation of analyses and reports.
What do you particularly like about your job?
My day-to-day work is very varied due to the project-based nature of the role; no two days are the same. Nevertheless, the management system provides a certain overarching structure. What I enjoy most is developing new topics and solutions. You rarely get the opportunity to make such far-reaching adjustments and improvements to existing management systems. Whilst I have clear (standard) requirements that I must take into account, I also have the freedom to design a solution tailored to the company’s needs.
As part of the Integrated Management System, I gain insight into all areas and processes and, working closely with colleagues, can help drive both small and large improvements within the company.
What skills did you acquire during your studies that you can now put to good use in your job?
The fundamentals of management systems and an understanding of standards, particularly in the field of quality management, were essential for my current job. However, alongside the theory, it is ultimately the practical implementation that counts, and that is something you can only develop over the years – I am still learning more and more in this area. The scientific foundations also often help me with the initial classification and assessment of issues, particularly in the field of environmental and occupational safety.
During my studies, I also learnt through various internships and project work to quickly familiarise myself with complex issues. This is necessary in various situations, e.g. to initially assess a topic broadly and determine the next steps, or to develop it in detail and integrate it into the overarching context of the Integrated Management System.
In three words, how would you describe Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences?
Young:
Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences offers new and forward-looking degree programmes. However, particularly when it came to organising aspects of my studies, a fair amount of initiative was required to obtain all the necessary information.
Modern:
The facilities are generally very good and modern, with the science laboratories deserving special mention.
Personal:
In the QUSH department, the classes are very small, and the large number of internships also meant there was close contact with the lecturers.
Date of interview: July 2024