Hi, my name is…

…Andrea. I joined the Roche Diagnostics Swiss sales affiliate in Rotkreuz in June 2016 as a Supply Chain Specialist. I’m originally from Germany, where I completed a commercial apprenticeship in industry after school, then signed up for evening school in Business Administration and Operations, which I finished as “Industriefachwirt (IHK)” in 2005. I have since been able to gather a lot of experience in local, regional and global supply chain positions across the automotive, chemical and pharma industry, and as a result have gained a good understanding of the specific complexities in supply chains and how best to approach them. I've always been fascinated by planning and logistics - how every little detail has to fit in order to reach the desired outcome. It may not come as a surprise that I thrive on working in a multifunctional team – each member collaborating, as if in a supply chain towards a joint target, fuels my engagement.

My typical day at work is…

…one that always holds a new challenge. The Roche Diagnostics Swiss sales affiliate is the interface between Roche Diagnostics and our Swiss customers. The daily availability of products is paramount. Therefore, in Supply Chain, we manage local stock levels and trigger deliveries to our customers from the regional distribution hubs. We ensure all customer orders are processed correctly and on time - from order entry through to invoicing.
My responsibility in Supply Chain Process Support is focused on monitoring system interfaces and proactively checking and maintaining various master data across systems that allow our interlinked processes to work seamlessly. Continuous improvement is also part of my tasks, either through changes to existing processes or implementing new requirements that need to be tested and verified in our order processing system. It’s always interesting to define how the interfaces should communicate to make the information transfer possible.

The location I’m working at is…

…located between Zurich and Lucerne in central Switzerland, close to beautiful Lake Zug. Rotkreuz is easily reachable by public transport and the Roche site is within 10 minutes' walking distance from the station. Working at the Diagnostics sales affiliate for Switzerland, it’s of tremendous value being located so close to “the beating heart of Diagnostics”. I enjoy the familiarity of being part of the smaller sales affiliate, but at the same time having easy access to colleagues working in global functions in Roche Diagnostics International – just across the street.

My work helps Roche to…

…maintain a high distribution service level to our customers in Switzerland. We make sure our devices and tests are available for timely deliveries to laboratories, hospitals and general practitioners, thus allowing tests to be carried out when and where they are needed. 

Roche as an employer…

…offers a great working culture. My co-workers have common sense, are hard working and passionate. It’s amazing to see how each department makes its contribution within its area. Respect towards each other, open inter-departmental collaboration, good work-life balance, as well as organisational stability, are fostered by our management. There are many opportunities to develop new skills and take on new responsibilities.

In my department we're looking for someone who…

…every day strives to excel in serving our customers as best as they can, be it on the phone, by email or simply by ensuring that customer orders are processed and supplied without delay. Experience in Order Processing and Supply Chain is needed, and good team-working, also the ability and willingness to adapt to new ways of working are necessary skills, because technologies and procedures are changing.

What accomplishment are you most proud of?

During my first year at the Roche Diagnostics Swiss sales affiliate I was appointed as Project Lead to establish a local Sales & Operations Planning process – an integrated process between Sales/Marketing, Finance and Supply Chain, to ensure strategic alignment and decision-making. With my knowledge from previous positions, the guidance given from the region, and the support of a dedicated cross-functional team, we managed to implement the process successfully and on time. All involved departments now benefit from the documented, proactive and structured exchange of information. 

What distinguishes the Roche culture from the culture at other companies you have worked for?

What strikes me every day walking across the Roche site in Rotkreuz is the type of people that work here. Absolutely everyone exudes professionalism, an openness for collaboration, a down-to-earth mentality, as well as passion and pride in working here and performing their job to the best of their ability. This gives me a sense of being in exactly the right place at the right time.