As Vice President of Product Creation, I am responsible for all pillars of product creation, including innovation, design, development, product line management, and premium products. I lead a team of 70 people who are solely dedicated to product creation, ensuring that we always preserve the essence of the BIRKENSTOCK DNA. The footbed has always been central to BIRKENSTOCK’s product philosophy, and it is our top priority to ensure that everything we develop aligns with our orthopedic and biomechanical values.

My team has direct access to our plants in Germany and Portugal, which allows us to put our hands-on mentality to the test and maintain the functionality and quality of our products, even at larger production volumes. I am passionate about developing new products – especially here at BIRKENSTOCK, where every product we create is centered around functionality.

As Sourcing Manager in our Global Sourcing & Purchasing department my responsibilities include the strategic sourcing with regard to contract manufacturing. This means I ensure that the company’s strategy as regards purchasing and price and contract negotiations is resolutely executed.

After two years in BIRKENSTOCK’s team in Asia, I was able to relocate to the Cologne office and refine my skills there. It feels good to see that my work is recognized and appreciated. Especially because here at BIRKENSTOCK I can do a job that I love.

My journey at BIRKENSTOCK began in 2021 with an apprenticeship in office management. During this time, I gained valuable insights into several departments, including Accounting, HR, and Controlling. These experiences provided me with a solid understanding of both administrative and financial processes, which facilitated my transition into the finance area.

After completing my apprenticeship, I joined the Accounts Receivable team. In my current role, I manage accounts within the 1774 segment, including cosmetics clients, and oversee intercompany topics and reconciliations. My responsibilities include handling open items, resolving payment discrepancies, supporting dunning activities, and maintaining customer accounts in SAP. As I’ve gained experience, I have taken on more complex tasks and now work independently on challenging issues.

I particularly value the structured workflows and the reliable team work. The transition from apprentice to permanent employee was smooth, and I was able to take on responsibility early on. It's motivating to work in an environment that values accuracy and supports continuous professional development.

In June 2020, I joined BIRKENSTOCK as Customer Service Agent and have now worked my way up to Team Lead Customer Service Europe in Cologne. Together with my colleagues from Spain, France, Denmark, Poland etc., I try to do everything in my power to help and support our business customers and to keep an eye on all internal processes so that the ordered goods arrive at the right place at the right time. I love my job because there are new challenges every single day.

We provide customer support to customers in many countries and I enjoy working in such an international environment. Already during my application process I noticed that BIRKENSTOCK offers a perfect mix of tradition and innovation and that there’s a diverse team made up of young people as well as more experienced colleagues. I also think it’s very fascinating that our products are popular across generations, regions and cultural groups.

As Director of Sales Planning & Allocation EMEA, I oversee the strategic frameworks that empower our management, buying, and sales teams to make informed, forward-looking business decisions across an increasingly complex and fast-growing region. Over the past few years, my role at BIRKENSTOCK has evolved significantly, with expanding responsibilities, a greater influence on strategic planning, and the exciting transition toward our IPO, which brought both new opportunities and a shift in how we operate.

What continues to inspire me every day is the combination of a highly dynamic environment, a strong and collaborative team, and the freedom to shape new ideas. Together, we build modern planning structures, generate transparent insights, and lay the foundation for reliable sales forecasts and market analyses.

Before joining BIRKENSTOCK in 2021, I admired the brand from the outside, impressed by how it bridged heritage and innovation while resonating with all generations. Today, I’m grateful to contribute to this journey from within, helping to shape the next chapters of our growth across the EMEA region.

I joined BIRKENSTOCK in February 2018, initially focused on building the foundational e-commerce framework for the Chinese market. My decision was deeply influenced by my long-standing interest in German culture and language, which has helped me connect with the brand's core values – craftsmanship, authenticity, and long-term thinking.

In recent years, our online business has experienced solid double-digit annual growth through marketplace expansion, continuous category development, and ongoing assortment optimization. Our ability to respond quickly and precisely to market dynamics has been key to this success.

As BIRKENSTOCK’s commercial landscape becomes more firmly established in China, what excites me most is the opportunity to learn across different sales channels and collaborate with highly committed colleagues, both locally and globally. Together, we support and inspire each other with a shared goal: to maintain and strengthen BIRKENSTOCK’s premium positioning in China. Each milestone reinforces my commitment to the brand and my confidence in our long-term potential. For me, BIRKENSTOCK is more than a job – it’s a journey defined by shared values and continuous learning.