Janine Dymala

How did you begin your career at BMI Group?

I originally started working at Klöber GmbH in 2012 as European HR Manager. However, after a restructuring at Braas Monier shortly after I started, I was given the opportunity to take over another role in addition to my ongoing responsibility for Klöber Germany – Head of Human Resources for Monier Roofing Components.

When the process of merging Icopal and Braas Monier began, I was approached and asked if I would like to take over another role supporting the COO and his direct reports. I accepted and became the HR Business Partner for Operations for BMI Group.

What initially drew you to working here?

I have worked in HR since 2007, beginning as an intern and filling different roles in different areas and locations. One day a recruitment company approached me for a role, and I became really interested in seeing something else – a different company, different culture with different people and different products. I had never heard about Braas Monier or Klöber before. But when I read about the history, looked at the homepage, and talked to friends and family who are homeowners, I wanted to know more about this exciting industry and accepted the offer.

How has it changed since you started? 

Everything! We have gone through a lot of changes and in the last 1.5 years I´ve seen major investments in the company to set the basis for a global, future-oriented company who will have standard technologies and terminologies and a clear vision and mission. We aren’t there yet, and it will be an interesting journey for all of us to see the further changes happening.

What does a typical day in your role look like?

I am not sure if there is a typical day! In the beginning of this year, I spent a lot of time helping the setup of the BMI Operations Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Luxembourg, which is the foundation for the broader BMI Group strategy for Operations. The Lux CoE brings together operational expertise and co-locates new and existing operational functionalities to enable cross-functional knowledge sharing, synergies and value creation for the entire BMI Group. Linked to that was the transfer of existing employment contracts to Luxembourg, as well as recruiting new employees. This is still ongoing. We have started with Procurement but have looked into other functions as well (Supply Chain, Industrial, Production Support).

During the year, I also supported the bonus and merit increase process and got involved with the preparations for the People and Organisational Reviews for Operations. Alongside my daily tasks, I am also part of the HR Leadership Team. We regularly meet and discuss how HR should be operating and work on different projects and processes for the entire BMI Group. 

What has been a highlight of your career with BMI so far?

Mergers are not always seen positively, but the last 1.5 years has given me the opportunity to grow personally and professionally. Being confronted with various topics in different areas whilst we work to align, standardise or create processes has forced me to work outside my comfort zone. I enjoy the discussions and insights I get whilst liaising with the leadership team, as it helps me to understand the directions and goals of BMI Group.

What three words would you use to sum up BMI?

Ambitious. Challenging. Supportive.

What advice would you give to prospective BMI employees?

BMI is a great place to work – as long as you are ready for a changing, developing environment. It feels like working for a start-up company, whilst being backed with so much history, knowledge and expertise.

What are your hopes for the industry or the company for the future?

I hope that BMI will further strengthen its market position and will expand the business geographically with innovative and high qualitative products that are developed, produced and sold all over the world.