For professionals

Starting at Behr
Advancement and careers
Going abroad
Two professionals on their career start and advancement at Behr

Starting at Behr
Do you have professional work experience and want take on new professional challenges at a leading systems partner of the international automotive industry? Then you have come to the right place as a professional at Behr.

You will be provided with an individual orientation plan on your first day at Behr, which will assist you during the first few weeks. This ensures that you quickly get to know the company and all important contacts. You will also take part in the Start-up program .

Advancement and careers
Behr’s goal is to create a motivating and challenging work environment for our employees and to reward commitment and above-average performance. Through our continual, systematic personnel development program, we support your willingness to continue your further professional development. Individual continuing education seminars and support programs are also part of this process.

Today’s global economy requires management to take on many additional tasks which clearly extend beyond engineering expertise. Behr supports acquisition of this know-how through IMP, the International Management Program (see Personnel development ). In this program, managers with potential are systematically supported in workshops that last several days. Additional objectives include building international contact networks, providing stimulus for international team and management topics, and working together to deepen the company’s strategy.

Going abroad
If worldwide telephone contacts and business trips are no longer sufficient, or if you want to take advantage of the opportunity to immerse yourself in Behr’s working environment in the USA, then it’s time to go abroad! Temporary employment abroad provides a possibility not only to get to know new people, markets, and cultures at Behr, but also an opportunity to set a new course for your career and develop personally. Approximately 200 so-called "expatriates" (see International transfers ) are working at Behr locations worldwide.

Two professionals on their career start and advancement at Behr

Katia Hendrickx (37), professional at Behr

What were the previous stages in your career with Behr?
I started working for Behr in July 2001 as team leader in the development of oil coolers, where I was responsible for the whole process-from design to production. After that I was offered a position as assistant to the Board of Management, which I held for two and a half years.

Since I wanted to go overseas, I took the opportunity to accept a position in South Africa in 2006. During the setting up of a new production line I first supervised the Quality area for this line and then took charge of Quality Management for the whole plant in Pretoria. The fascinating thing about this job was that it involved setting up something completely new. Since March 2010 I have been back in Germany, managing the specialist area of plastics.

What did you do before starting to work for Behr?
After completing my studies in mechanical engineering in Germany and Holland, I worked for another company in Germany, where I was responsible for the industrialization division.

What sort of support did you get during your overseas assignment?
I was well looked after both before and during my stay in South Africa. First of all I was given something called "intercultural training", which was very useful for my whole time abroad. Even in everyday life I often remembered things that had been explained to us in the training. In addition, a look-and-see trip was organized before the move, so I could travel to the place and learn about the local conditions and the workplace. I received excellent personal support during the whole period, too.

What do you value about Behr?
Behr is a globally active company that has still remained very dynamic, with a clear structure. The company offers many opportunities for professional advancement and development, and harnesses and fosters the knowledge and abilities of its employees. Career opportunities here are not a question of length of service, but of competence and commitment. Behr is not overly complex; it is easy to start something new. You can always see the whole process, not just individual parts of it. I also appreciate the fact that there are a lot of opportunities for professional development on an international level, and that you get the chance to work in international teams.

What sort of personal experiences did you have overseas?
I particularly appreciated having the opportunity for personal development alongside the job. In various projects outside my job in Quality Assurance, I discovered that Behr is "more than just a job". For example during my time in South Africa I got involved in a project to fight HIV, which was another important experience for me personally. It was also very important to me to maintain my social networks with Europe, and I succeeded in this.

What advice would you give a new starter at Behr?
Behr offers a variety of opportunities for professional development. you should make the most of these opportunities. Of course it is also important-especially when starting a new job-to build up a network. This is where the start-up program offered to job starters is helpful, and later the Behr talent pool. I have also always found it helpful to seek out an experienced colleague to support me as a kind of mentor and help me out with tips.

Arnaud Boullin (38), professional at Behr

How long have you worked for Behr?
While on a customer call with my previous employer, I got talking to some staff from Behr who were also participating. Shortly after that I was offered a position with Behr in the Truck Engine cooling Development division which I was pleased to accept in September 1999.

What had you done before you started working for Behr?
I graduated from a university of engineering at Lille in France. That was followed by various activities in the area of engine cooling development with another employer in Italy and Sweden.

What were the previous stages in your career with Behr?
From 1999 to 2006 I worked as team leader in the Truck Engine cooling Development division. As a technical team leader I oversaw projects involving customers from the USA and Brazil. On the basis of these experiences, I was offered a position in the Light Vehicles Engine Cooling Development and Industrialization division in China. After two years in Shanghai I moved to the new plant in Jinan. With every new position I took on more responsibility and so was able to develop professionally. Since 2010 I have been back in Stuttgart.

And what is your current position with Behr?
Since returning to Germany I have been working in Truck Engine Cooling Development again, where I am responsible for coordinating Asian operations. I worked closely with the teams in Asia, especially in China, and will also be flying to China regularly in the future. I start my working day early because that is the best time to reach my colleagues in Asia, due to the time difference. I really appreciate having a lot of freedom to plan and carry out my work on my own. I get to define my own limits rather than having them imposed on me.

What sort of support did you get during your overseas assignment?
Keeping in touch with your home country is very important when working overseas. So I was very pleased with the support I got from Behr during my secondment. I was supported in all matters relating to my stay abroad. So it was no problem taking my family overseas with me. And I came back to Stuttgart about twice a year to exchange information and ideas with colleagues.

What do you particularly like about your work?

The thing I like most about my work is that things never stand still; there is always something new. My work is very innovative, both on a technical level and also as regards the kind of projects I work on. At Behr, personal contact with colleagues at locations all over the world is encouraged. That makes for more effective work and longer-lasting results.

What do you value most about Behr?

Behr has a good work climate which gives every individual the opportunity to put forward his or her own ideas. There is a wide range of interesting tasks. I also really appreciate the fact that Behr avoids unnecessary bureaucracy. For example, if the job requires it, it is no problem to go on business trips-including overseas.

Behr is an excellent employer for people who like to work independently, and who are open and interested in new things.