Victor Sanz

HSE & Quality Manager (Quality Health Safety Environment) at Freudenberg Sealing Technologies in Parets, Spain

Welcome to the "Employee Spotlight". This series introduces us to employees from all around the world as well as from all different job functions within our company. We get the opportunity to gain insights on their work life and to learn the variety of job options that are available within the company.

Here Is His Story:

In about five sentences, please give us an overview of your job at Freudenberg Sealing Technologies?

I work as QHSE (Quality Health Safety Environment) Manager of Freudenberg Sealing Technologies (FST) Spain in Parets, a village close to Barcelona. I am also responsible for the Automatic Vision Inspection process. Together with my team, we try to fulfill customer expectations regarding the quality of our products, and manufacturing them in a safe and healthy environment.

What makes working with Freudenberg Sealing Technologies different from other companies or teams you’ve worked with?

I have worked for eight companies before I joined Freudenberg in 2005, and the main difference I see between FST and my previous employers is the international, open approach to work. It is natural for FST that people from many different countries work together as a team on projects, while being very open and collaborative. The networking is awesome at FST!

Why did you decide you wanted to work here?

I decided to work for FST because I was able to participate in a young professional’s program, which allowed me to work in three different countries (Italy, UK, and Germany) for almost 2 years. During this time I participated in many international projects.

It is natural for Freudenberg Sealing Technologies that people from many different countries work together as a team on projects, while being very open and collaborative.

Can you tell us about the culture at Freudenberg Sealing Technologies?

I would like to point out two main topics: The Guiding Principles and Innovating Together. The Freudenberg Guiding Principles offer a solid cultural base among all of FST. Aspects like equal opportunities, respectful behavior, long-term orientation in a family company and more make for a complete and unique frame for which we can develop our activities. Our slogan, “Innovating Together” is representative of the philosophy of Freudenberg. I have never seen any successful implementation or project completed by a single person. Also, adapting to fast changing environments comes natural for FST. The only constant is change, right? So being innovative with a team spirit and following the principles is what defines, in my opinion, the FST culture.

What does Freudenberg Sealing Technologies have to offer regarding career / talent development?

Based on my own experience, I received a career plan from FST that surpassed all of my expectations. I started in the young professional’s program, then I did international training as Lean Black Belt. Afterward, I was in production as Business Unit Manager, then I became QHSE Manager. During all this time I received many other trainings that support my development over time, and has allowed me to cope with all my duties in the company. All this talent development is open to all employees for a wide range of job positions all over the world!

Do you have recommendations for potential future colleagues when applying for a job with Freudenberg?

Apart from being curious about change, open to new solutions and respectful of diversity, something I learned when I joined FST and I never forgot was: “FST allows you to make mistakes as long as you learn from them”.

How is your team organized or what does it look like?

My team is divided into three groups: Safety, Automation with Vision Engineer and Mechatronics, and Quality. Altogether, there are about 20 people from my team supporting our company to meet our targets.