Human resource department

Human Resource Department - is one the most important drivers in development of any company. For better understanding of given assessment I decided to describe the key features and hiring process in HR department of Heidelberg Cement Company in Russia, where I used to work within 2 years.

 Heidelberg Cement AG (Xetra: HEIG) - German company which produce building materials, one of the world's largest cement producers. Company has 62,000 employees in around 60 countries, the company's plants are situated in Germany, Belgium, Britain, France and others. In 2006 it was founded representation of Heidelberg Cement in Russia OOO "Heidelberg Cement Rus" with the main office in Moscow and the largest engineering and financial center in Podolsk.

In Russia, the company manages cement plants "CESLA" (city Slates Leningrad region), "Building materials" in Sterlitamak (Bashkortostan) and "Tula Tsement" in the village Novogurovsky (Tula region). Heidelberg Cement in Russia also operates cement terminals in Kaliningrad and Murmansk, as well as a sand and gravel quarry in the Tula region.

I choose this company for this case, because the Heidelberg Cement is developing different projects in different countries, (cross-cultural management) the staff turnover is low, because company oriented to grow existing personnel and it’s based on my own experience.  It’s a German company as a model of the German management culture known around the world for their reliability, predictability and high requirements for the ratio respect to quality.

When HR department of any branch companies of Heidelberg looking for personnel for managerial positions, they are searching talented and ambitious individuals who have excellent opportunities for taking on responsibility and growing professionally. Employees generally enjoy great freedom of action in implementing the standards established by HQ in Heidelberg. There are many other benefits of working at Heidelberg Cement, including a congenial workplace atmosphere, opportunities for international advancement, performance-oriented pay, an excellent work-life balance, and a values-oriented company culture.

Heidelberg Cement has been built through the character of its people. That character is reflected in the company’s values, which have been fundamental to its corporate history for more than 140 years.

“Trust and fairness” Management and employees at Heidelberg Cement have one common goal: adding value to the company in the long term by working together as partners and promoting a corporate citizenship. This cooperation is characterized by integrity, treating each other with mutual respect and trust, openness and fairness.

Planning

Company before hiring personnel for any position, HR is making an external and internal analysis in according to company policy and references.

Succession planning is one of our priorities in HR policy inside of company. They are aimed at filling vacancies with their internal candidates. So, they regularly reveal and develop existed talents inside the company. That’s why company prefer to hire young perspective engineers and designers from specialized schools and universities.

Usually company looking for several positions: Management, Engineers and Scientists, IT Specialists, Economists, Clerical Professions.

Often they are looking for students of the natural sciences and engineering, particularly those seeking degrees in industrial, and civil engineering, process technology, mining, computer science, chemistry, or the earth sciences. Students of business, economics, marketing, accounting, and human resources are also in demand.

There are several routes for getting involved:

Internship

An internship usually lasts between three and six months. Company gives an opportunity to become closely involved in the day-to-day activities of a given department. They provide a monthly wage of 650 or 750 euros depending on degree (Bachelor's or Master's) of student.

All candidates applying for an internship must have good grades, a strong command of English, and good familiarity with MS Office. After successful completing of internship, they can join to team by own initiative. Company welcomes applications from individuals who would like to complete an internship prior to starting their university education.

 Working Students

Company offers for university students part-time job during the semester and full-time during breaks. Students will be paid, learn new skills, and make valuable contacts for their future career. Many students go on to write a degree thesis about an aspect of company business. Others join the company upon completion of their studies.

Graduated work searchers

Heidelberg Cement propose excellent options for graduated students for starting their career. Regardless of whether they are interested in one of company’s trainee programs, or executive assistant program, or direct hiring to a full-fledged position, they offer compelling career opportunities that provide plenty of room to grow. 

HR of company interested in hiring new graduates from a wide range of disciplines. Scientists, engineers, and individuals with business degrees are in particularly high demand. They also welcome applications from lateral entrants, especially to trainee programs, where they ll have an opportunity to demonstrate its skills in Heidelberg multi-faceted business.

Professionals

Human Resource of Heidelberg propose good job opportunity for seasoned professionals with several years of working experience who is looking for a change. Heidelberg Cement offers exciting career occasion for motivated individuals willing to take on responsibility. There are many paths to choose from, regardless of whether their expertise lies in management, IT, a clerical field, or engineering.

Stuffing

Heidelberg Cement has other different ways for finding new company team members, via recruitment agencies, via state labor agencies who could provide job seekers, via educational institutes etc. Most of the time company is recruiting internal candidates via training, promotions and internship. Recruitment usually takes 1-6 month (depends on position), including 4-6 interviews and other programs.

Selection of candidates held due to professional background and experience, personal ambitions, intellectual capacities. HR is hiring highly skilled professionals, who are starting to make his career, successfully graduated from high school, action-oriented and ready for change.

Company also interested in graduates who have received the chemical-technological specialties, mechanical engineers and electrical engineering in the field of chemistry specialists, mining and geology, as well as students of economic faculties, with a specialty related to the finance and management, including supply chain management specialists, and study related in marketing and sales.

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