Joshua Smith - Project manager, CrossFitter and team player.
My name is Joshua Smith and I'm originally from Münster. I am 27 years young and have been working as a project manager at S&P in Stuttgart since the beginning of June 2019. After almost two years at S&P, I can look back on a variety of exciting but also challenging tasks and projects.
I first came into contact with logistics during my dual Bachelor's degree, which focused on marketing and logistics. This enabled me to acquire in-depth knowledge of logistics processes and workflows and put it into practice. At my previous employer, I had the opportunity to play a leading role in the introduction of a warehouse management system (WMS) in the warehouse. This allowed me to gain my first practical experience as a project manager at an early stage. Motivated by the new tasks I was able to get to know in this position, I also wanted to further expand my technical IT knowledge. I had made the decision to switch to the side of a logistics software provider. In short, my journey as a project manager at S&P began.
Avaried and exciting field of activity.
The day can start with a glass of overnight oats. Once I've checked and answered my emails, it's on to the next items on my to-do list. Whether it's an upcoming customer phone call, a meeting with colleagues or writing a specification - no two days are the same. The areas of responsibility in my job as a project manager are very varied. However, my main focus is on project planning, implementation and support. I spend a large part of the day drawing up specific project plans and defining and coordinating the individual steps in the customer project.
Creating project outlines, visiting customers, various coordination meetings or even research are also things that keep me busy in my day-to-day work. What I never miss out on, however, is sharing ideas with my colleagues, especially with my project team "Bolt". True to the motto: "We create efficiency with transparency." We regularly discuss the individual projects to be managed in short stand-up meetings and define the next task packages. Every classic customer project usually involves discussing the content with the customer, coordinating the requirements, specifications and implementation phase and ensuring the hypercare phase in ongoing operations with the go-live. However, every customer project is different and therefore brings with it very different problems and challenges that need to be solved in the project.
.jpg)
Due to the diversity and variety of tasks, I believe a project manager must have these skills. A high level of planning and organizational skills, strong communication skills and a hands-on mentality. In addition, a project manager should keep a cool and clear head even in stressful situations.
S&Pas an employer
What makes S&P special for me is the collaborative corporate culture and the pleasant working atmosphere. Everyone can get involved in the company at any time and take on responsibility - right from the start. Because S&P is constantly growing, the opportunities are also growing. In my opinion, one thing has never been lost: the extreme team spirit among colleagues. For me, the move to S&P was a change from a corporate structure to an extended family. The backing and support, even outside the project team, is incredible. On my journey at S&P so far, I have already experienced my own personal highlight. In addition to successfully completing my own first project, I had the opportunity to design and implement an "intelligent" picking strategy together with a customer. This was a new and very enjoyable experience for me as a project manager.
#Letstalkaboutyourhobby - Joshua at CrossFit .
.jpg)
All in all, I would say that I am not only a project manager with heart and soul, but also a passionate CrossFitter. In my free time, I take every opportunity to keep myself physically and mentally fit alongside my job, but also to recharge my batteries. I like a challenge - both at work and in my free time. In addition to my professional goals, I also like to push my personal boundaries. Having always been active in sports, I decided to start CrossFit shortly after moving to Stuttgart. Training in the box (CrossFit Assault Stuttgart) requires maximum concentration for me every time. It's a constant battle against myself - sometimes physically, sometimes mentally, sometimes in training and sometimes at competitions. If things aren't going so well, the community gives me the support I need to keep going. "Respect all, fear none" is the motto of our CrossFit box. In conclusion, you could say that this virtue is also my attitude towards the entire S&P team and customers.
