Marieke Schröder
Her path at Trelleborg has evolved in step with her own growth, taking her from a broad generalist role to a specialist position where she now helps shape how the world sees Trelleborg as a place to work. And along the way, she has seen firsthand how a global company can create space for both professional ambition and personal life.
How has your role at Trelleborg changed or developed over time?
I joined Trelleborg in Velten almost 10 years ago as an HR Generalist, initially covering the full employee lifecycle. I really valued this variety, as it gave me the opportunity to contribute across different HR areas and learn a lot.
From the beginning, I especially enjoyed working closely with our employees and managers, supporting them in day-to-day matters and guiding them through different situations. At the same time, I contributed to conceptual topics, such as developing a new training concept and a new canteen concept. I also regularly attend career fairs to connect with potential new employees and apprentices and to present Trelleborg as an attractive employer, something I always truly enjoyed.
In 2023, I moved into a more specialized role as HR Specialist Employer Branding. I truly enjoyed this shift, particularly the close collaboration with marketing and working on topics such as company culture, diversity, events, benefits, onboarding, health and ESG. I also really appreciated the collaboration with the international HR team, which allowed me to exchange ideas, gain new perspectives and work across locations.
Health and wellbeing have always been topics close to my heart, especially nutrition and physical activity. It was therefore a great pleasure for me to bring the knowledge and experience from my yoga teacher training into my work at Trelleborg. Having the opportunity to offer and facilitate Business Yoga sessions in an online format for colleagues in Velten and across different countries as well as giving a small Yoga workshop within the stress awareness week 2023 was a true honor and one of the highlights of this period.
During this time, I also took two parental leaves, and each time I was very happy to return to Trelleborg from this happy family-focused phase back into the professional environment.
Can you share a specific moment or project at Trelleborg that made you feel proud of your work?
One project that made me particularly proud was our planting campaign as part of an ESG project. Together with a social organization that employs people with disabilities in the field of horticulture on the one hand and our Beach Volleyball kids, we support since 2023 on the other hand, we planted about 120 hedge plants. With this project, we wanted to make a joint contribution to biodiversity and biodiversity conservation by making our company premises more natural and creating protected areas for animals.
It was a very special moment to see how we could combine environmental engagement with social impact and inclusion in such a meaningful way, and to see how our employees also enjoyed working together in nature.
Being directly involved in shaping this initiative and seeing the positive impact it had, both for the environment and for the people involved, was truly rewarding for me. It also reflects what I value most in my role: creating initiatives that go beyond the company and bring people together while contributing to something bigger.
From your perspective, what makes the culture at Trelleborg special?
From my perspective, what makes the culture at Trelleborg special is the strong focus on diversity and equal opportunities, combined with an international mindset. It creates an open and inclusive environment where different perspectives are valued and collaboration comes very naturally.
At the same time, it is the people who truly shape the culture. I really appreciate working with so many committed, supportive and inspiring colleagues across different locations and functions. This combination of values and people makes Trelleborg a place where you feel connected and motivated to contribute.
In what ways do you feel your role at Trelleborg allows you to shape the future of industry?
In my role at Trelleborg, I feel that I can shape the future of the industry by working closely with people. For me, it is about inspiring others, having meaningful conversations and supporting employees throughout their time here.
I see my contribution in listening, understanding challenges and being there when support is needed. By creating an open and trusting environment, I can help individuals grow and navigate change.
Through my work in Employer Branding, I also contribute to making Trelleborg an attractive employer, one where people genuinely enjoy working and feel connected. At the same time, it is very important to me to promote diversity and create an environment where everyone feels welcome, valued and comfortable. Another topic that is particularly close to my heart is employee wellbeing and health. I am passionate about supporting colleagues in feeling healthy, balanced and energized, both physically and mentally, and I believe that a positive work environment plays an important role in helping people thrive both professionally and personally.
By supporting people’s wellbeing, encouraging inclusion and fostering strong collaboration, I believe we create the foundation for a more sustainable and successful future in our industry.
