Jan Holz joined SpiraTec in 2018 and, as Director of Corporate Functions, immerses himself every day in a wide variety of specialist areas – from IT, administration, international business administration, accounting, and controlling to HR.
- How long have you been with SpiraTec and what is your current role?
I joined the company at the end of May 2018 and recently took on the role of Director of Corporate Functions. In this role, I am responsible for organizing the Internal IT, Administration, International Business Administration (IBA), Accounting, Controlling, and Human Resources departments.
- What exactly do you do here and what does a “typical” workday look like for you?
Every day, I immerse myself in a wide variety of departments – from IT to administration, IBA, accounting, and controlling to HR. Together with the coordinators and my dedicated colleagues, I help shape the further development of these areas. What drives me is connecting people, processes, and numbers to form a coherent whole. No two days are the same: Sometimes it’s about optimizing processes, sometimes it’s about cross-departmental projects, and sometimes it’s about solving very specific challenges. It’s this diversity that makes my work at SpiraTec so exciting. I’m where the interfaces are – and it’s at these junctures that I coordinate tasks, drive issues forward, and ensure that our organization as a whole becomes even stronger.
- What three things are (almost) always on your desk?
I’m a fan of the clean desk philosophy, so I like to keep things tidy: the only things on my desk are a small SpiraTec notepad with a pen, my headphones, and – as a charming remnant – a branded golf ball from the onoff Group. The latter is not only a former promotional item, but also my trusty stress ball in meetings and the perfect companion for thinking.
- What are you currently working on and what are your biggest challenges?
We are currently focusing on an exciting project: the conversion of our accounting and controlling processes. To make our national companies more comparable, we are introducing the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). At the same time, we are breathing new life into our financial processes with the new LucaNet accounting system, switching to an internationally positioned auditor, and taking corporate planning and reporting to a new professional level. All of this is happening in addition to our day-to-day business—and this is exactly where our project team shows its true strength: with great commitment, a high level of expertise, and a willingness to go the extra mile. A big thank you to everyone involved!
- What do you particularly like about your role or your team?
In my role as Director of Corporate Functions, I take on the perspective of an entrepreneur within the company and can thus play a key role in shaping the strategic direction of the SpiraTec Group. The range of topics we deal with on a daily basis is becoming increasingly diverse – and there are always new “genres” to discover. What I particularly appreciate about the CF department is the open atmosphere: no one here thinks only within their own area, but everyone pulls together – that’s exactly what makes our collaboration so powerful and successful.
- If you weren’t at SpiraTec, what would you probably be doing today?
Looking back on my career before SpiraTec, I could well imagine working in strategic key account management at an FMCG company – or maybe even having taken the plunge into entrepreneurship. The idea of creating something completely new from scratch, which will hopefully be continued by future generations, simply inspires me.
And just like today, I would still enjoy life in my free time – preferably with an Aperol Spritz, whether at an idyllic winery or a relaxed bar. That’s how I find the perfect balance between work and pleasure.
