MELANIE DOLL

Back office sales specialist for international markets

Melanie’s journey with MEIKO began in 2011 when she applied for a job that a friend said would be the perfect fit. She started out as a clerk in Export Warewashing Technology and, since 2017, she has been leading the sales back office team responsible for standard international warewashing technology. In this interview, Melanie reveals what makes her role so varied and rewarding.

VIVA ESPAÑA!

– how Melanie’s career began It all started in 2008 when Melanie moved to Madrid to do her vocational training. After two years in Spain’s vibrant capital, she returned to Germany with her qualification under her belt and began looking for work. Following a brief stint at a furniture components manufacturer, she found the perfect role at MEIKO – one that allowed her to make full use of her Spanish and English skills. Since then, her work with international markets has gone from strength to strength.

DO YOU REMEMBER YOUR FIRST DAY AT MEIKO?

Melanie: "Of course! I was given a tour of all the departments and production areas. It was a lot to take in at first, all the new information and experiences. But right from the start, I felt like I belonged here. That first day was also when I realised just how broad MEIKO’s scope is – it was definitely a 'wow' moment."

YOU’VE BEEN LEADING A TEAM SINCE 2017. HOW IS THAT GOING?

Melanie: "Really well! I enjoy what I do because I have such an amazing and motivated team. Much of my job involves communicating with colleagues from our market organisations all over the world. Even though we speak different languages, there’s a real sense that we’re part of one big MEIKO family."

HOW DO YOU STAY UP-TO-DATE AS A MANAGER?

Melanie: "Managerial staff get regular training sessions and workshops through the MEIKO Academy. These sessions include role-playing exercises that help us improve our problem-solving and leadership skills. It’s an excellent resource."

WHAT MAKES MEIKO SO SPECIAL?

Melanie: "At MEIKO, people always come first. You can see that from all the employee events – both big and small – that the company organises throughout the year, from the sausage-themed 'Würstle' celebrations to our summer parties and other social benefits. All this shows employees that they matter, and makes people feel valued. For special occasions like the company's 90th anniversary celebrations, even family members were invited to join in. That’s something you don't see at many other companies."

100&NBSP;PERCENT COMMITTED TO MEIKO

If you want to grow your career at MEIKO, the opportunity is bound to come along sooner or later. It's fantastic how good this company is at recognising talent and giving people the chance to develop.

WHAT DO YOU LOOK FORWARD TO ON YOUR WAY TO WORK?

Melanie: "I love never really knowing what to expect each morning! Every day is different, with new projects coming in all the time. For example, I recently had the opportunity to present the current activities and future direction of our sales back office to all our Managing Directors during MEIKO Management Week. It was quite nerve-wracking, but experiences like that are a fantastic way to grow and develop. Knowing how to prioritise things is half the battle in this role."

HOW DO YOU UNWIND FROM WORK?

Melanie: "I try to make time for exercise after work – pretty much every day during the week. At the weekend, I enjoy cycling, mountain biking or going for walks. I also love travelling and spending time in my garden. That keeps me busy, especially in spring and summer."

AGILITY IS KEY

Melanie's role in the sales back office involves tackling spontaneous requests and challenges from the international market organisations on a daily basis. She has trained her team well for this environment, focusing particularly on the essential skills of flexibility and agility.

ARE YOU MORE OF AN OCEAN OR MOUNTAIN PERSON?

Melanie: "Honestly, they both have their charm! I love long-distance travel and I've visited the Caribbean lots of times. I’m also drawn to destinations in Asia like Sri Lanka, the Maldives and Bali, and Australia is definitely still on my bucket list. That said, my partner and I also enjoy taking spontaneous trips to the mountains, especially in Austria."

WHAT QUALITIES DOES SOMEONE NEED TO WORK AT MEIKO?

Melanie: "I would say the biggest thing applicants need is the ability to work in a team, really being willing to contribute and get involved. If you have an open mindset, you're already on the right track. I’d recommend taking a look at MEIKO’s wheel of values before applying – it sums up everything we believe in here."

CAREER TO DATE

2008-2010

Vocational training in Madrid, Spain

2011-2017

Back office sales clerk for warewashing technology exports

Since 2017

Team leader of sales back office for standard international warewashing technology

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