Germany
France
Spain
United Kingdom
Turkey
Italy
Hungary
Romania
South Africa
USA
Canada
Mexico
Brasil
China
India
Indonesia
Japan
South Korea
Thailand
Matthias Ruf
Sustainability Specialist
Employee story Matthias Ruf
Position: Sustainability Specialist
Department: Corporate Sustainability
With ElringKlinger since: 2013
What do you do at ElringKlinger? What are your responsibilities?
I work on implementing the sustainability strategy in the group. In doing so, we in the department examine ecological as well as social and governance topics. My tasks are very diverse. They include, among other things, coordinating sustainability projects and developing concepts for implementing new sustainability topics.
How did you come to work at ElringKlinger and what motivated you to work here?
After graduating from high school, I did a one-year industrial internship at ElringKlinger. After my training as an industrial mechanic, I started a permanent position at ElringKlinger, initially in advance development and later, after graduating as an engineer, as a quality engineer in prototype construction and as an auditor in supplier development.
How did you end up in your current position in the area of sustainability?
The deciding factor was that I am very much involved with sustainability issues in my private life, particularly environmental protection. As the environmental officer for our church parish, I developed a comprehensive sustainability concept that I have now been overseeing for several years. I also founded a climate and environmental protection association with many different initiatives in our local area. So when ElringKlinger advertised a position as Sustainability Specialist, I didn't hesitate for long and applied right away.
"I get to work in a field that I strongly identify with: sustainability."
What do you like most about your work and why?
I get to work in a field that I strongly identify with: sustainability. I particularly like the fact that I can do a lot of groundwork and help shape things in this area. I am given creative freedom and a lot of trust, even as a newcomer to the field. At the same time, I have competent colleagues in my team from whom I can learn and with whom I can exchange ideas.
What do you particularly value about ElringKlinger as an employer?
It is very important to me that sustainability is a high priority for my employer. This is the case at ElringKlinger. Sustainability is even one of the five success factors of the new SHAPE30 corporate strategy and thus contributes significantly to achieving the corporate goals in 2030.
How would you describe the culture in your team?
Cooperative, humorous, and modern. It's a trusting working environment with a lot of personal responsibility. I particularly appreciate the fact that our team also takes family life into account. If I have to attend to an appointment with my son at short notice, it's not a problem and I can make up the hours later. ElringKlinger makes it very easy to combine family and career.
"It is very important to me that sustainability is a high priority for my employer. This is the case at ElringKlinger."
How has ElringKlinger contributed to your professional development?
Personally, ElringKlinger gave me the opportunity to take the big step from supplier management to the sustainability department – as a kind of career changer. I had already acquired a great deal of knowledge in my free time, but professionally, this area was new to me. My strengths were recognised and I was given the necessary trust to take this step. This proves to me that ElringKlinger places a high value on continuously developing its employees and encourages them to step out of their comfort zone.
What are the biggest challenges in your job?
It is challenging that sustainability is still a relatively new topic that is developing incredibly quickly. Unlike other topics, we cannot look back on years of experience. There are hardly any in-depth studies or expertise. So we have to learn a lot on our own. It can also be challenging that not everyone attaches as much importance to sustainability as we do. For me, this means that in the future I will have to do a lot of explaining, raising awareness and training internally.
Describe yourself in three words.
Ambitious, helpful, loyal.
What was the highlight of your week? Personally or professionally?
The start of my niece's school education. And the preparations for our regional weekly market in Eningen, which we set up as part of the environmental protection association.
What do you do to switch off?
I either enjoy going for a bike ride or going for a walk with my family in the countryside. I also don't want to miss out on meetings with my friends in between.
