Project Manager Florian Heizinger OnSite at Puma | TGW Insights

25. November 2021

THEORETICALLY, THIS SHOULD WORK IN PRACTICE

An interview with Project Manager Florian Heizinger about on-site customer projects, respectful interactions with co-workers and his professional future at TGW.

Name / job / TGW location:
Florian Heizinger / Project Manager at TGW Robotics / Thansau, Germany

My latest online order:
I order from Amazon or Engelbert Strauss almost every week.

At TGW since:
October 2019

My job as a film title:
"Project management in action – theoretically, this should work in practice"

My department as a flag: What does it look like?
The flag definitely shows an eagle with an overview over the entire situation.

The most important pieces of equipment for my job:
Laptop, smartphone, headphones and helmet

My job personality in three words:
Calm, determined, reliable

Tea or coffee?
Both. First thing in the morning, I need my coffee, but in the afternoon, tea is great too.

Stairs or lift?
Stairs.

According to Florian Heizinger, the most important qualities of a project manager are a calm nature, good communication skills and technical knowledge as well as an understanding of machines and technologies. He adds: "You also have to have a good sense of humour, not take yourself too seriously and be passionate about complex projects."

FLORIAN, TELL US ABOUT YOUR JOB AS A PROJECT MANAGER.

As project managers, we are responsible for a project from the very beginning until the final acceptance and even afterwards. Often, we have to tailor new machines to the customer's needs or even newly design them. We project managers are always involved when it comes to time management, planning, budget planning, internal and external communication between the customer and TGW as well as various technical and business issues. We are also working on site. My job is complex and never gets boring.

WHAT OTHER TGW DEPARTMENTS DO YOU COLLABORATE WITH THE MOST AND WHY?

As project managers, we collaborate with pretty much all departments, including Sales, Engineering, Purchasing, Installation, Controls, IT or Lifetime Services as well as other colleagues involved in the project. At TGW Robotics, we are a one-stop shop for design, purchasing, manufacturing (welded assemblies), pre-assembly, software development and commissioning. We discuss complex issues to find the best solution for everybody involved.

ARE THERE ANY PRECONCEIVED NOTIONS ABOUT MEMBERS OF YOUR PROFESSION AND IF YES, ARE THEY TRUE?

(laughs) The project manager is a jack of all trades, but master of none. This is true inasmuch as we have to be aware of everything in order to keep an eye on the entire project. But at the end of the day, it is the specialists who handle the particularly challenging tasks.

IN ALL HONESTY: WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU MADE A MISTAKE AND WHAT DID YOU LEARN FROM IT?

That was at my very first project, which caused some discussions. The good thing is that we can learn from misunderstandings like this. In the end, everybody was happy. Since then, transparent communication has been key for me, which allows us to learn and grow together. Mistakes happen. However, it is important that you draw the right conclusions and don't repeat the same mistake in the next project.

IF YOU COULD LOOK INTO A CRYSTAL BALL: HOW WILL YOUR JOB CHANGE OVER THE COURSE OF THE NEXT FIVE TO TEN YEARS?

I enjoy my job very much and I expect that to continue to be the case in the long run. I will continue to gain experience and assume responsibility. New technologies will emerge, automation will increase further ... and so there will definitely be new and exciting customer projects for me.

WORKING IN PROJECT MANAGEMENT