Dominik Blöchlinger's career and everyday working life
Dominik Blöchlinger is a project manager at STEINEL Solutions. Thank you Dominik for answering a few questions for us. We want to start the interview right away to find out more about your career and your day-to-day work.
Education
What training did you start your career with?
«I completed a 4-year apprenticeship as an automation technician EFZ in Altendorf.»
What further training did you do afterwards?
«From 2016-2019, I completed further training to qualify as a qualified HF Business Process Technician. And in 2023, I completed the 2-year postgraduate programme to become a qualified Project Manager NDS HF Project Management.»
Why did you choose this career path?
«As is the case when you come out of sixth form, I had no real idea what I would like to do. However, I knew that I didn't want to go straight into the office, but wanted to do something practical first. My brother, who was already working in the electrical sector, and a visit to a careers fair introduced me to the profession of automation technician. I really liked it because it's a very diverse profession.»
After completing my training, I worked in a pharmaceutical company and worked as an electrician at home and abroad wiring, tubing and wiring fermentation plants. Even then, I had the opportunity to lead smaller teams abroad. Among other things, I managed and coordinated the installation of the largest fermentation plant in history in Seoul, South Korea. I had 15 employees in my project team. That's when I realised that I really like it! I like the responsibility and I'm good with people. From then on, I saw my future in leading teams. My line manager at the time recognised this and, due to a division of departments, he gave me the position of Head of Electrical Production. At the same time, I completed further training to become a qualified technician HF in business processes.
After returning from my English language course in Australia, I decided to round off my CV and worked in electrical planning for two years. I also led, managed and coordinated various projects in this area. During this time, I realised that I wanted to work in project management. Of course, I asked my employer at the time whether there was an internal opportunity, but unfortunately there was no such department at the time. Nonetheless, I then started the postgraduate programme in Project Management NDS HF Project Management.»
What brought you to STEINEL Solutions?
«During my studies, my brother, who was already working for STEINEL Solutions AG at the time, drew my attention to the fact that they were looking for a project manager. During the interview, Stefan Walker gave a very good introduction to STEINEL and encouraged me to take the plunge. It quickly became clear that I really wanted to work at STEINEL, which I did shortly afterwards. And I still really like it here.»
Everyday work
What makes working as a project manager at STEINEL Solutions exciting for you?
«The versatility of the many different products. As a project manager, I'm not just the one who adjusts any project schedules, but I'm involved in the product from A-Z, I'm involved in brainstorming, I accompany the electronic and mechanical development, I work a lot in and with production, I set up production lines, I'm right in the middle when it comes to the complete industrialisation process, keywords such as risk management, FMEA analysis, the assessment of the 0 series and the test series, checking the products, shipping and collecting samples, checking the packaging, visits to the customer. I am always involved in the product from the idea to the market launch. All this and the contact with people is what makes my work at STEINEL special.»
What does your day-to-day work at STEINEL Solutions look like?
«Phu... It's very varied. There are usually 1-2 larger meetings a day with the project team or with customers. I organise myself with work packages, usually approx. 2-hour blocks for answering emails and distributing tasks. Of course, I pick up daily status reports from x different departments and colleagues, I'm always to be found in production or on the phone for technical clarifications with our purchasing department and suppliers. My job definitely requires flexibility.»
Products
How many products have you worked on that are on the market today?
«To keep it short, I'll limit myself to the products that I've supported on behalf of STEINEL Solutions AG. For example, a wearable for cyclists, the Steasy - a mobile mini-steamer, various assembled circuit boards for different customers, a wall switch and sensors for a well-known company, our own products SENSOTEC, electricity meters, an electric charging station for electric cars, train displays, an intelligent cutting board and of course there is still a lot in the pipeline - it remains exciting.»
Do you have a «favorite product»?
«That would probably be the Steasy at the moment. It was a time-consuming project for a very cool product.»
«In my job as a project manager at STEINEL Solutions AG, I have the privilege of managing numerous challenging projects. I act as a link between the customer and the internal project team. And it fills me with pride to have an important role in the development and realisation of new and innovative products.»