The PEZ fledgling

Hi, I’m Nina and I’m new. Well, new at PEZ. I just started in the Marketing department in 08/08 (great date, eh?!). One of my strong points is communication, i.e. I love talking and writing … which makes me a natural when it comes to blogging, at least in theory anyway. As I’m still sort of looking from the outside in, I thought I’d tell you a bit about my experiences as a PEZ fledgling.

It’s always hard at first …

Well, what should I say, I was overwhelmed just having to remember everyone’s name and role …. You know what I mean, don’t you? Where you think hmmm, they look really familiar but I can’t for the life of me remember their name and the department they work in. It’s amazing how many women work at PEZ. On a management level, too :-) Even my department, i.e. Marketing, is exclusively made up of women. I’m used it though, it was the same at my previous jobs. What’s new to me is my area of responsibility: I’m Product Manager at PEZ – which I think sounds really cool (I’m also the proud owner of my very own business cards … :-) But what exactly does it mean?
 

What I do (or rather will do) …

Without boring you with the details, we PMs (that’s short for product managers) – the PEZis are really into abbreviations, which sometimes drives fledglings like me crazy … PEZ itself is the abbreviation for Pfefferminz, the German word for peppermint … that’s something of a tradition in our place (look, I’m already saying “our” – now that’s got to be a good sign!). Now where was I … oh yeah, my responsibilities: as a PM, I’m responsible for processes and coordination – from introducing the product to launching it. This involves lots of interfacing – with Purchasing, Controlling and, of course, Sales. That’s how I got to know who’s who relatively quickly! The job also entails maintaining an overview, being well organised and – now for the best part – being creative: I can thus contribute new product ideas, and have a say in matters such as: How could the product look? What would be the ideal packaging? What kind of communication measures would be best?

Although I’m still in my infancy with no babies of my own, I still pick up on all my colleagues’ teething problems with a product, which requires lots of patience and perseverance – in a way, the best way to prepare for having children. No wonder my predecessor is having a baby!

Off to Hungary!

In a few weeks I’m off to our production sites in Hungary and Vienna. I’m sure I’ll have something or other to report along the way. I always did want to know how my childhood products are actually made …
So, until then – PEZ up your world!