Career changer: Fabienne’s fascinating path to voestalpine Automotive Components

The most fascinating paths don’t usually follow a straight line. This was true for Fabienne, the assistant to the department manager in the body-in-white series production department at voestalpine Automotive Components Dettingen. The complete career changer found her professional home in Schmölln, Thuringia, following an apprenticeship as a fashion tailor and ten years of self-employment in the catering industry.

For Fabienne, August seems to be the month of new challenges. In August 2018, she first experienced the voestalpine culture as a temporary employee at the Automotive Components phs-ultraform® center Schmölln. Exactly one year later, she became a lathe operator on the piston line, and another year later, a shift supervisor. But it did not stop there. In August 2022, Fabienne became the assistant to the department manager in the body-in-white series production. The change from production to the desk was unusual for her at first, but now she couldn’t imagine not doing this job. “Essentially, I am the link between production and the organization,” explains Fabienne. She takes care of production and shift planning as well as personnel scheduling. She manages orders, supports the department manager in personnel matters, and always has an open ear for the concerns of her colleagues. In doing so, she ensures that all production processes, such as turning, welding, riveting and press-fitting, run smoothly and that a wide range of body shop products leave the production line on time in the expected high quality.

With such a diverse range of activities, Fabienne starts her working day early. At half past five, she is there for the shift handover in production. She discusses the weekly schedule with the shift supervisors and goes over what’s happened during the night shift. She also helps answer questions and addresses occupational safety issues. “I simply want my colleagues in production to feel well. I want them to know that I am on site and there for them as a contact person,” says Fabienne. Her all-inclusive services even include turning on the office coffee machine at six o’clock on the dot. Even though she is currently trying to cut down on her coffee consumption, she doesn’t let it affect her interaction with her colleagues—she can always enjoy a cup of tea instead. “It is extremely important to maintain contact with colleagues. I really enjoy supporting them on site so that we can all work well and have a successful day,” says Fabienne. The fact that she is a big fan of structure, order, and cleanliness helps her a lot. The all-rounder still has a few computer topics to brush up on. But she can always count on the help of her colleagues, especially when it comes to the challenges of Excel.