What our employees say

Eva, why don't you tell us a bit about your role at ETIMEX? What are your responsibilities?

With pleasure. I've been with ETIMEX for about five months. As R&D Manager, I am responsible for research and development. One of the focal points of my work is sustainability - this is also an important part of my Master's degree in Packaging Technology and Sustainability, which I am completing alongside my job.

My daily tasks at ETIMEX include many laboratory activities. In coordination with Quality Management, I analyse our films and check the current development status. Incidentally, we are also responsible for new formulations in development, which is really exciting. This means that we carry out trials in production, create calculations, supervise packaging tests and are also responsible for comprehensive documentation. One of my specialisms is food law, which I look after together with a colleague. And I deal with sustainability on a daily basis - it's a very broad field. This also includes legal regulations and new technologies. So I think you can see: My job is very varied and every day is different for me.

That sounds very versatile. How do you combine your studies and your work at ETIMEX?

And it is. But you have to be flexible to combine studying and working. I thought it was great that when I enquired about a part-time position that could be combined with a Master's programme, ETIMEX told me straight away that it wouldn't be a problem. So I work here four days a week and Fridays are my day off, which is reserved for my studies - but another day is also possible by arrangement. It's a great support that ETIMEX is also flexible about this.

What's more, I can combine my Master's programme very well with my job. My degree programme is very up-to-date as it is still very new. Many of my lecturers work full-time in the packaging industry, so they all know exactly what's going on on a day-to-day basis. If I have any questions about the course content, I can also approach anyone in the company at any time and get helpful practical insights. It's a really great feeling that I can apply my knowledge from my studies on sustainability topics directly to my day-to-day work at ETIMEX.

I'll be handing in my Master's thesis in a month's time. But I have to say, I'm also looking forward to being able to devote myself fully to my work.

What's the coolest thing about your job?

What I find very cool is that we have very short lines of communication to management. This means that if you have a concern, you can exchange ideas at any time. Ideas are really listened to at ETIMEX - it's so easy to get things moving. Everyone here always has an open ear and as a young professional you are taken just as seriously and treated just like everyone else. That's not a given everywhere.

There was also an intensive familiarisation phase in the company when I started my job. This allowed me to get to know all my colleagues straight away, especially the people with whom you have a lot of interfaces. I think that's exactly how it should be. That was really good.

What is your most important work tool and why?

One of my most important work tools is my laptop. Conference documents, meetings, SAP, everything is digital on the computer - nothing works without it. I always have to be up to date and keep my finger on the pulse of developments. It also makes it easy for me to stay in touch with everyone remotely via Microsoft Teams.

I can also think of my calendar. I still use a haptic calendar in which I enter everything again. It helps me to keep an overview.

What two words would you use to describe ETIMEX?

The first word that comes to mind is our slogan "everyday & everywhere" leant: everywhere. Because it's true, we are everywhere. I was born in the region, but before I started at ETIMEX, I didn't realise where our films were used. Now, of course, I have a good overview and I have to say - we really are everywhere. We have food packaging in various areas and are active in the pharmaceutical sector. We have films for technical applications as well as non-food packaging. When I go shopping, I see possible ETIMEX packaging everywhere and then I also look to see if our stamp is visible at the bottom of the packaging.

And the second word that comes to mind: open. At ETIMEX, everyone is open to ideas and opinions. You are listened to and can get involved. And there is also a great deal of openness with regard to my studies. I never knew that a part-time job alongside my studies was not a problem. Apart from the fact that nobody or very few people in our industry knew about my degree programme when I started. All the more reason why all departments are very interested - open to my person, my knowledge and my ideas. That's really great!