IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Sharing Solutions: How local approaches enable global success

Setting sail for the coffee business of tomorrow: On course to the first ERP rollout for NGUS

Depicting NKG’s growth in Asia: Insights from Mira Yudhawati and Emily Chua

Smart design for a sustainable future: The Ibero Uganda mill project

Behind the scenes

Mail from NG Comms: A personal Update

Virtual Tour: Berindo Jaya

Faces and portraits

Interview with Thomas Silva

Interview with Marcelo de Paula Nogueira

On a Cupping with Maks Mazurkiewicz

A visit with Kayd Whalen

NKG Integrity Champion: Thumbs up for reliable colleagues

NKG Holding who is who: Introducing Legal Department

Breaking the coffee ceiling: Inspiring women at NKG

Out of the box

Three by Three Questions: EUDR challenges and implementation

Time to take action: Neumann Gruppe donates to the promotion of democracy

At a glance

Recap: What happened in half-year one / 2024

It's your turn

Quiz: Spot the Difference

CLOSE-UP

Establishing and developing global Human Resources: Get to know Maren Uzarek

CLOSE-UP

Establishing and developing global Human Resources: Get to know Maren Uzarek

Many of you have probably heard or read about it by now on one of our communication channels: Maren Uzarek joined NKG’s Board of Management on October 1st! This is not only great news because she is an absolute Human Resources expert with outstanding skills but also because of her way of thinking beyond HR topics. In many of our previous articles, we have emphasized the importance of employees for business success. Thus, it also means committing to this topic and giving it the relevance it needs and deserves. To get to know her better and gain a better understanding of the work she does, Maren kindly answered us some questions.

On 1st of August 2012, Maren started her career at NKG as Head of HR Neumann Gruppe. Together with her growing team, she optimized existing processes and established new ones, like for example on- and offboarding, personal development, the implementation of a digital HR tool and much more. In the course of the years, Maren additionally started participating in international HR issues with David M. Neumann. It soon became clear that there is a lot of potential in building a groupwide HR structure and therefore, Group HR was separated from NG HR in Hamburg. This is also due to the changing demands of employees worldwide, who ask themselves (and the companies) many questions when applying for a position in a new company: What can I contribute to the company? What is the purpose of my job? How is the leadership culture and the working environment? So, Group HR is also concerned with strategic questions like how to become and stay attractive for many different people all over the globe in the long term and how to retain and further develop talents at NKG.

Maren Uzarek, Director Group Human Resources

“To be able to stay interesting for our current and future employees, a groupwide HR structure is crucial. Regional HR Managers will be responsible for the local implementation of what we decide on a conceptual and strategic level. This will of course be in close collaboration with their local HR teams. We already started in North America with Lily Gul in 2017 and have so far been able to also establish Marcelo Nogueira for Brazil and Hellen Akumu for East Africa.”

In September this year, Maren joined other colleagues from NKG group companies at the Asia Summit to introduce the new HR structure and also celebrate the Asian companies’ jubilees. “It was of course a great opportunity on a personal level, as I got to meet many well-known and new colleagues. I also got a feeling for the atmosphere and the work environment at the Asian companies”, she explains. “On a professional level, this helped me a lot, because we were finalizing and publishing the job as Regional HR Manager for Asia Pacific. Knowing the people and the environment makes it a lot easier to decide on whom to choose for the position.” So, we are very excited about who is going to be announced in the course of 2023!

Personal questions

What do you particularly appreciate about your work at NKG?

As an employer, NKG combines the advantages of a family business and an international group in the best possible way. This mix of short decision-making processes, very personal interaction and the opportunity to work with other cultures makes the work attractive for me.

In recent years, my team and I have been able to establish HR in Hamburg and build up a solid structure that is constantly being developed. Responsibility for shaping group-wide HR is the next step, which I gladly accept as a positive challenge.

What is of particular concern to you in your work on the Board of Management?

HR and leadership are among the strategic issues of our time, which has become even more apparent in the last few years of the pandemic. It is therefore necessary to establish this competence as a strategic sparring partner for the management. When I joined the management of Neumann Gruppe GmbH, David Neumann and the other board members showed that they take this development seriously and also want to focus on HR. Together with my Hamburg and international HR colleagues, I would like to contribute to creating a modern and sustainable corporate culture and working environment, thus ensuring the long-term attractiveness of NKG as an employer.

How do you prepare your coffee in private and how do you prefer to drink it?

At home, I use a filter coffee machine or a fully automatic coffee machine, which my husband and I received by the Neumann Gruppe as a wedding present. I prefer drinking my coffee black, and now and then I also like cappuccino. In the afternoons, I am happy to receive an espresso from my colleagues in the coaching team.

What is it that you can laugh about a lot?

Situational comedy, everyday things and the wisdom of my six-year-old daughter. And one should never forget not to take yourself too seriously.

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Further Articles

Farewell Pablo Garcia C

At the end of this year it is time for a farewell. Our Group COO Pablo Garcias C.  retires after 40 years at NKG! What an accomplishment, what a commitment, and how much NKG history! Since a usual tribute cannot do him and his work justice anyway, we decided to ask a couple of colleagues from around the globe for a few words and wishes on his farewell. We are very honored to be allowed to share their personal words here.
Goodbye, adios, auf Wiedersehen, adeus, au revoir and thank you for everything, Mr. Garcia! Even though we all sincerely wish you a happy retirement, you will be missed!

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NKG Integrity Champion: Thumbs up for reliable colleagues

When somebody is in need, there is this one person, who will for sure be very kind and helpful: Paula Vasquez Caetano, Director Assistant at NKG Stockler, our new “Integrity Champion”! What makes her the perfect champion and so valuable for the NKG community, especially Stockler? No matter which kind of problem, her colleagues always ask Paula for help, because they know that she will find the right solution. Her constructive, helpful attitude combined with the heartfelt commitment she shows makes her not only a wonderful colleague to work with but also a friend in the daily (work) life. Congratulations and all the best for you, Paula!

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Neumann Gruppe GmbH
Coffee Plaza • Am Sandtorpark 4
20457 Hamburg • Germany 

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PRIVACY POLICY

Neumann Gruppe GmbH
Coffee Plaza
Am Sandtorpark 4
20457 Hamburg • Germany

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