After 18 years as an employee in the field of purchasing and logistics, I decided that my next career step should not be a permanent position but working as an interim manager.

In my daily work, I am constantly striving to improve the status quo in companies, and it is important to me personally to always familiarise myself with new topics and tasks - I sometimes lacked this in employment.

Robert Walters helped me to take the step into self-employment as an interim manager in 2022. At that time, I had just come out of a management position as Head of Purchasing and Logistics in wholesale - when I discovered the interim project that was advertised, I knew immediately that this mandate was a very good fit for me. I was particularly attracted by the focus on the Asian procurement market, in which I had already gained experience. I also recognised very early on the enormous potential for improvement and savings in the client's supplier management. Finally, the modern culture of the company was also decisive for me, which is crucial for a good cooperation with interim managers.

In the initial telephone conversations with my responsible consultant, I learned all the important key data about the project. As things became more concrete, he very professionally shared all the relevant information about the position with me, so that I was able to get an accurate picture of the tasks and also the expectations of me as an interim manager. This made it very easy for me to get started in the project and, of course, to become self-employed as a freelancer.

Even after the start of the new project, my contact person at Robert Walters remained actively in touch with me to discuss the project, the general process and of course the feedback from the client. This was very valuable for me as a newcomer to interim management.

Since becoming an interim, I have experienced a learning curve that is steeper than ever before.

Through new projects and topics, I can develop and mature incredibly quickly. The results of my work are visible to me in a short time and also measurable; I know that I am actually helping clients to take corporate procurement to a new level in a short time. Through the various mandates, I get to know many people, because I like to network, which is an aspect I particularly appreciate about my job. I also appreciate the flexibility and financial independence I get as an interim manager, which come with a high degree of personal responsibility.

I am glad that I found the path to self-employment - my experienced consultant, who specialises in interim management, accompanied me very closely and professionally on this path. I was particularly impressed by the transparent communication during the process and the exchange at eye level.

Johann Pauls, Interim Manager