Working at STERAC
Even a traditional company can and should take a contemporary approach to managing staff. And that is exactly what we do. At STERAC the motto is not “Get on with it and don’t complain” but much rather “Be actively involved”. Put more specifically: We wish to provide every member of staff with the support he or she requires to be able to attain his or her professional goals. This even applies to our apprentices and, of course, to all colleagues with many years of professional experience.
This concept has proven very successful for many years. This is reflected both in our excellent working atmosphere and not least by our satisfied customer base. STERAC employs exceptionally motivated individuals who love doing their job because they feel appreciated. They are the face of our service instead of acting anonymously in the background. STERAC also hosts regular company and team-building events which help shape a team of staff into the community.
Speaking of those who work with us: we have apprenticeship positions in all areas of the business every year, and are of course always in search of new colleagues for Team STERAC in all other departments. Please visit the Career / Jobs section to discover more.
Take a look at what team STERAC has to say:
There is always someone there who will listen.
Marco Wolny
Warehouse logistics / Team Leader
"I'm impressed by the fact that so much trust is placed in “tomorrow's talent” as was placed in me when I was brought in."
There is always someone there who will listen.
How long have you been working for STERAC?
I started at STERAC on 01.01.2010 as an apprentice for warehouse logistics. So I've been here for over 6 years now.
How and where did you start at STERAC?
I actually started my apprenticeship with a different company. Unfortunately, it went bust. So I was forced to go in search of a new company which was willing to train me. My sister worked in air and sea freight which is why she knew the name STERAC, and she recommended that I start my search here. Following this I got in touch with the headquarters of STERAC and spoke with a lovely lady who listened to what I had to say from the outset. Although all apprenticeship slots in the warehouse were taken up at this point, the board of management still invited me to a meeting and gave me the opportunity to continue my apprenticeship with them. And so it came that I started in handling facility 1 and am currently based in logistics warehouse 4.
And you stayed on with STERAC after successfully completing your apprenticeship. Which areas of responsibility have you taken on?
At first I was only responsible for goods in and goods out for containers. But after our team leader for facilities 3 & 4 left STERAC, I was offered this position by the board of management. It was there that I took on all areas of responsibility including all communication with other departments such as, for example, the overseas department or the transport departments. Meaning that I suddenly had to organise all of this on my own: when the containers are due to be delivered and when these need to be ready or reloaded for dispatch. These are 6 - 10 containers per week. This business continued to grow so that I now share this area with a colleague who also completed his apprenticeship here at STERAC.
What would you say distinguishes STERAC the most?
For me, what distinguishes STERAC the most is that, regardless of how stressful your private life may be, or which problems are bugging you, there is always somebody there who will listen to you and he or she will help you to find a solution. I've also worked in another company and I hear a lot from my old school friends and must say: This sense of family between us, even among those with whom you're not in contact every day, is something of a rarity. I'm impressed by the fact that so much trust is placed in “tomorrow's talent” as was placed in me when I was brought in. It just makes working here fun!
England and Scotland appeal to me in particular.
Holger Lang
Professional driver
"I often used to go to Cuxhaven for work and would switch semi-trailers, and it was there that I got to know a few drivers from STERAC."
England and Scotland appeal to me in particular.
Holger, how did you come into contact with the work environment of a professional driver?
It was actually a temporary solution after military service. At the time I loved driving so much that I just stuck with it.
And how did you find out about STERAC?
That was at the terminal in Cuxhaven. I often used to go to Cuxhaven for work and would switch semi-trailers, and it was there that I got to know a few drivers from STERAC. I was really impressed by how they interacted and by the collegial spirit of the drivers together. I was also impressed by the material because the semi-trailers and the trucks were always in TOP condition, clean and maintained. I was told “If you need something for securing the load you always get it without any problems”.
How long have you been on the move for STERAC?
I've already been with STERAC for 6 years and I still love it.
What can STERAC do to keep you happy?
Well, I have regular working hours and am always at home in the evening. As long as it stays that way everything is just fine. STERAC regularly sponsors my modules as well as my driver safety training.
Is there anything that you particularly liked during your career to date with STERAC?
The journeys to England and Scotland. It’s a wonderful place and the people there are really nice. With a career in international freight forwarding you have so many opportunities and you get to see the most varied places.
All in all I am satisfied with STERAC as an employer, above all because of the way people get along with one another.
I was able to study and work at full power.
Maren Kollruss
Controlling
"I was always given plenty of support and encouragement during my apprenticeship, and afterwards was given the chance to do a dual work and study-based degree in Business Administration."
I was able to study and work at full power.
Maren, when did you begin your career at STERAC?
I began my career at STERAC as an apprentice to become a commercial clerk in freight forwarding and logistics on 01.08.2010. During this time I worked in the transport departments for Spain, Great Britain, logistics and Portugal. In the department for Spain I was really able to use my language skills, and after just six months I was entrusted with a larger project for a customer. Following my apprenticeship I then stayed on with the Portugal department.
Why did you then decide to stay with STERAC?
I felt very well looked after during my apprenticeship here. You really notice that it is a family-run company. Also, I was given great support and encouragement in my apprenticeship and, at the end, was given the opportunity to complete a dual work and study-based degree in Business Administration. I was given plenty of opportunities to progress from the moment after my degree was successfully completed.
What experiences were you able to gather during your dual work and study-based degree?
During my degree I chose Logistics & Controlling as my specialist subject. For that reason I was also given the opportunity by the executive board to develop the controlling function after completing my degree. Of course, this prospect motivated me even more. But it should also be mentioned that a dual work and study-based degree in addition to a full-time job in logistics is very stressful. I was therefore very relieved that STERAC once again provided me with support by ensuring that my remit and my day-to-day working hours were adjusted. This meant that I was once again able to dive into my degree and my work head-first.
STERAC was recommended to me.
Cedric Schubinski
Apprentice
"I initially weighed up my interests and strengths, and found that these are in geography and economics."
STERAC was recommended to me.
Cedric, how did you find out about the commercial clerk apprenticeship for freight forwarding and logistics?
I initially weighed up my interests and strengths, and found that these are in geography and economics. My weaknesses are in manual work so that it was clear to me that trade-based professions would not apply. It then became clear straight away that a career in freight forwarding would be the perfect challenge for my strengths, which would allow me to use my skills here in the best possible way.
What made you apply to STERAC?
I found out about STERAC through the job centre, which recommended this company as an excellent apprenticeship company.
When conducting my own research on the Internet I discovered that this family-owned business is particularly open and communicative.
How did your job interview go here at STERAC?
I was very pleasantly surprised during my interview by the way in which all the staff interacted with me as an applicant; I was given a very warm welcome. After my job interview with an HR member of staff, I was then introduced to the managing director who took a few minutes of his time to describe his company to me in more detail. At this point in time it was already clear to me that I really wanted to do my apprenticeship with this company, because this friendly working environment is very important in my everyday work. I was very impressed by the fact that the managing director took so much time “just” for me, to “take me by the hand” and introduce me to his company.
And what kind of experience have you been able to gather to date?
To date, I have worked in the GB department in export and import. I've gone through all business areas for this function. Of course, this also involves the “typical” apprentice tasks such as filing, post and so-called “errands”, but this is just part of being an apprentice.
What makes STERAC different from all other apprenticeship companies for me is our “A-Team”, in which all the company’s apprentices work autonomously together on projects. In doing so the board of directors gives us their full vote of confidence, and to date we have been able to get some great projects up and running. Furthermore, apprentices here are given the best possible education in the form of training, seminars and our “apprentice summer camp”. What is that? Get in touch with me directly!
A strong partner
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