Information about my work
My work and results 

During my tenure, the “Daily Business” consisted of the following core tasks: 

– Process analysis, optimization, and innovation:  

  • Quantitative and qualitative analyses, e.g., through interviews, KPIs,  sorting analyses. 
  • Further development of existing disposal processes and their accompanying documentation, e.g., through the introduction of new disposal techniques. 
  • Identification of innovative waste disposal solutions and marketing channels, including feasibility and economic studies. 
  • Conception of a waste disposal risk management process with an associated FMEA evaluation structure as a basis for all countries. 

– Data analysis and monitoring:

  

  • Analysis of internal and external waste disposal data and waste balances and other types of reports (CSR-report). 
  • Monitoring developments in the European waste disposal market and legal changes. 
  • Cross-sectoral knowledge transfer and transfer of best practice solutions between country subsidiaries. 

– Tendering and contract negotiations for waste disposal services of recyclable and waste fractions: Needs assessment, planning, and implementation of international tenders. 

– Consulting and support: for European retail chains on waste disposal and environmental issues. 

-Project management: Project planning and coordination in collaboration with various departments, including international collaboration. 

In addition, I was involved in several special projects: 

– Software development and implementation: development and implementation of a new software for real-time management of waste disposal orders and invoices. I was at an interface function between software developers and the waste logistics of a large retail chain in France: 

  • Needs and process analysis of monetary, information and material flows; 
  • Definition and monitoring of work packages and development efforts for internal and external developers; 
  • Establishment of country-specific reports based on system data; 
  • Training of different user groups in France, such as waste logistics, warehouse employees, and waste disposal service providers. 
  • Implementation at 8 French warehouse locations. 

– Analysis and implementation of alternative disposal processes for cardboard bales due to an industry-wide process change, including new customer acquisition and tendering. 

– Process optimization of the marketing of non-food remnants and customer returns (including electrical appliances) from a large retail chain in France: 

  • Analysis of composition,
  • Determination of sorting and marketing options;
  • Development of a process for testing and sorting these products for subsequent marketing, including the creation of a sorting instruction;
  • Feasibility and economic study for the transfer of the testing and repair process for electrical returns from a large German retail chain.
What this work meant to me and which key learnings I had 
  • If you optimize the standard processes at a large retail chain, you can make a big difference when the improvements are rolled out nationwide. Depending on the size of the reatil chain, this can mean that implementations are rolled out to hundreds or thousands of stores. 
  • Working in the international team of consultants gave me insights into how waste disposal processes are regulated in other European countries and to what extent waste disposal legislation, which is based on the European Waste Framework Directive, is interpreted country-specifically.

*Note: The photos shown on this page are not the original images from this job.