Driving change, providing security

Change management, team development, and cultural work Ulrike Schlutt shows how change succeeds at Liebherr and why a reliable work environment makes the difference.

When Ulrike Schlutt sets off for Rostock’s port in the morning, her drive marks the transition from family life to work. ‘This time is very important to me’, she says. ‘I listen to a podcast, gather my thoughts – and then I’m ready for the day.’ For the 36-year-old, it’s more than just a routine. It’s when she recharges for her demanding role at Liebherr Rostock: guiding teams through change processes.

Ulrike’s journey at Liebherr began in 2014 with her final-year thesis. ‘After completing my degree in industrial engineering, I wanted to work in a manufacturing company with a strong IT focus. At the time, it wasn’t easy to find a good job in the region, and every interview invitation already felt like an achievement. What ultimately convinced me about Liebherr was the interview itself: an open culture, a sense of equality, and real opportunities to make an impact. The site was growing, dynamic, and offered plenty of room for my own ideas. For me, that was the perfect opportunity to commit to the company long-term – and it paid off.’

Her thesis led to a role in process management, followed later by a position as a business analyst. In 2016, after two years, she moved to Liebherr’s sister plant in Nenzing, where she took on project management responsibilities for IT projects in customer service. During her five years in Austria, she gained new perspectives and an insight that still shapes her work today: ‘Introducing new software alone doesn’t make a project successful. People are creatures of habit, which is exactly why projects often fail or are delayed. It’s all about bringing employees along throughout the entire process’, she explains.

I love the variety in my job and I am constantly learning about processes, people and culture.

In 2021, Ulrike returned to Rostock and took on a new and exciting role in the Organizational Development team. What started as a small team of three has since grown to eight colleagues, all working to advance digitalisation across the company’s internal value chain. Ulrike supports projects, develops standards, and ensures that changes are not only introduced but also sustainably embedded. Her three main focus areas are change management, team development and company culture.

When she talks about her work, her enthusiasm is clear. ‘I love the variety in my job’, she says. ‘I’m constantly learning about processes, people and culture.’ Cultural development, in particular, is close to her heart: ‘These topics can easily get lost in day-to-day business, but they are essential for good collaboration. We want to provide impulses on topics like meeting culture and other ‘soft’ aspects so that collaboration in our company succeeds in the long run – for example, through cross-departmental exchange formats.’

Despite her wide range of responsibilities, Ulrike’s week is well structured: ‘Monday is our team day, when we’re all in the office and catch up. On Tuesday, I work on-site with a project team. I keep Wednesday flexible for workshops or short training sessions. Thursday is dedicated to a major ERP project, where I’m responsible for change management. And Friday is my focus day: no meetings, often working from home, so I can concentrate on my tasks or continue my professional development.’

Sometimes, when it comes to team development, a simple technique like a retrospective is enough to make a big impact. Those are the moments that drive and motivate me.

One project that has particularly stayed with her involved supporting a production team whose collaboration had reached a standstill. ‘The atmosphere was tense, and the managers didn’t know what to do next. Using a simple format, we were able to rebuild trust. In the end, not only did processes run more smoothly, but people also started to enjoy their work again. Sometimes a simple method like a retrospective is enough to make a big difference. Those are the moments that motivate me.’

At the same time, Ulrike knows that change requires patience: ‘With every topic, there are enthusiasts, the hesitant, and the sceptics. That’s completely normal. It can be frustrating at first when things don’t move as quickly as you’d like. But I’ve learned that sometimes it’s simply not the right time. In those cases, I put the topic aside and come back to it later. What matters is staying committed without burning out. It’s important to stay grounded: what actually works here and supports our business goals? Cultural and organisational development are not ends in themselves – they need to create real value. That’s why we constantly evaluate what fits our structure and culture.’

We have a secure job and a reliable employer. While other companies are cutting jobs, Liebherr is investing in better working conditions and the expansion of its occupational health management.

What Ulrike particularly values about Liebherr Rostock is the balance between openness to change and stability. ‘We’re not a corporation where you’re just a number, but part of a strong team.’ For her, this means social responsibility, support in challenging times, and a sense of togetherness you can rely on. ‘At the end of the day, we go home knowing we have a secure job and a reliable employer. While other companies are cutting jobs, Liebherr invests in better working conditions and the expansion of occupational health management. Together with many other benefits, that’s what makes Liebherr a special employer for me.’

In her personal life, Ulrike is very family-oriented and lives with her family in a small village between Tribsees and Grimmen. She volunteers at the nursery and in the local community, organises events, and loves reading. ‘There’s always something going on – and that’s exactly how I like it.’

And when she gets into her car at the end of the day and puts on her favourite podcast, she knows that the changes she helps drive at Liebherr Rostock always begin with people. And that is exactly what makes her work so valuable.