From Universal Welder to Senior Manager
Employee Interview – Florian Paminger
From Universal Welder to Senior Manager: A Career Path with Many Opportunities
Florian Paminger
Senior Manager, Project Portfolio
When I look back today on my journey at EBNER so far, it’s hard to believe how quickly time has flown. I started in 2007 with an apprenticeship as a general welder. Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to get to know many different areas of the company—from the welding shop to logistics, production control, and production planning, all the way to project management.
Each of these roles has opened up new perspectives for me and helped me gain an ever-deeper understanding of EBNER’s processes. To this day, I find the great diversity particularly exciting: our products and technologies, the interplay between the various divisions, and the different requirements of individual projects. This constantly presents new challenges and opportunities to learn.
My journey has shown me just how much growth is possible when you remain open to new ideas, take on responsibility, and are ready to seize opportunities. That’s why I’m particularly proud to be leading Project Portfolio Management today—especially because I had the opportunity to help build a department that didn’t even exist when I started my career at EBNER.
8 Questions for Florian Paminger
You started an apprenticeship as a general welder at EBNER in 2007. Did you ever think back then that you would one day head up Project Portfolio Management?
No, I wouldn’t have dreamed of that back then. To be honest, at first I was just glad to have finished school. I never would have expected back then that I’d go on to graduate from technical college and earn a degree, and eventually head up Project Portfolio Management. Besides, back in 2007, I probably wouldn’t have known what the term “Project Portfolio Management” even meant. I’m especially proud that I was able to build a department that didn’t even exist back then.
From welding to logistics, production control, and production planning, all the way to project management: Which role has had the greatest impact on you, both personally and professionally?
Each stage of my career has shaped me in its own way. As a welder, I learned the importance of quality and precision and gained my first experience with programming on a welding robot. In scheduling and work planning, I learned how the individual areas along the value chain interact. Finally, in project management, I developed a cross-functional mindset and gained direct contact with our customers. Looking back, I still benefit today from every single stage of my career.
How did you manage the transition from production to a role focused on business and organizational matters—and what challenges did you have to overcome along the way?
The transition from the welding shop to the office was a big step. As a welder, you often work standing up, kneeling, or lying down—and not infrequently in intense heat. At the end of the day, as I swept up, I could see exactly what I had accomplished. In the office, the work is much more abstract. The results often develop over a longer period of time and aren’t always immediately visible. Still, it’s exciting to see how you can contribute to the company’s success through processes, projects, and decisions.
To what extent does your hands-on experience from the workshop help you today to realistically plan and manage complex customer projects?
I think that, thanks to my time in the workshop and in other operational areas, I’m familiar with many processes not just from what I’ve heard, but from my own experience. This makes it easier for me to realistically assess challenges and understand the impact of decisions on the affected areas.
You also worked as a vocational training instructor. What was particularly important to you when mentoring young colleagues?
It was important to me to inspire in my young colleagues the same enthusiasm for metalworking that I myself have developed. When you enjoy your work, you learn more easily, continue to grow, and stay motivated even when faced with challenges.
What does project portfolio management entail at EBNER?
We support the planning and management of internal projects within the EBNER Group. Our goal is to create transparency regarding ongoing initiatives, and we provide the appropriate processes and support for the SAP landscape to achieve this. In this way, we help successfully implement changes and improvements within the company.
Today, you are a Senior Manager and also a global SAP PS key user. What excites you about the intersection of project management, processes, and digital transformation?
Working on the SAP implementation showed me just how closely processes and systems are interconnected. Out of personal interest, I’ve always taken a deep dive into SAP’s capabilities and tried to make the best possible use of the system. This has allowed me to build up a wealth of detailed knowledge that helps me today to optimize processes and implement sustainable improvements.
What advice would you give to today’s apprentices who want to continue developing their careers at EBNER over the long term and perhaps even take on a leadership role one day?
Be open to new ideas and follow through on your commitments. Those who demonstrate dedication, take on responsibility, and seize opportunities can thrive at EBNER, both professionally and personally.