Spotlight On: Tobias Bierbaumer, Central Supply Chain Manager at MM Board & Paper (Vienna)

Ihr Weg in die Branche

Können Sie sich bitte vorstellen und uns etwas über Ihre derzeitige Tätigkeit erzählen?

My name is Tobias Bierbaumer, and I work as Manager Central Supply Chain. In this role, I am responsible for group-wide production planning and forecasting. My focus is on optimally balancing capacity across our mills, identifying bottlenecks early, and ensuring a stable and efficient supply chain.

Was hat Ihr Interesse an der nachhaltigen Verpackungs- und Kartonindustrie geweckt?

I come from a business administration background and started my career in Controlling. The packaging industry attracted me because it combines economic stability with a strong sustainability mission. Cartonboard is a material that actively contributes to the circular economy, which fascinated me from the beginning.

Was war der wichtigste Meilenstein oder die wichtigste Erfahrung, die Ihre bisherige Karriere geprägt hat?

A key milestone was my transition from plant controlling into supply chain management. After four years as a plant controller and another four years as Supply Chain Manager at the mill, I was able to combine my knowledge of processes, data, and operations. Moving into the central supply chain team in Vienna broadened my perspective and allowed me to work more strategically and internationally.

Gab es besondere Herausforderungen oder Wendepunkte, die Ihrer Meinung nach entscheidend für Ihren beruflichen Werdegang waren?

A major turning point was taking responsibility for improving our On-Time In-Full (OTIF) performance and optimising service levels in the sheeting area. These projects were complex, but they showed me how data-driven planning and cross-functional collaboration can significantly influence the entire value chain.

Wie hat sich die Branche seit Ihren Anfängen verändert, und was reizt Sie am meisten an ihrer Zukunft?

The industry has evolved strongly toward sustainability and circularity. What excites me most is the level of innovation – both technologically and in terms of new, environmentally friendly packaging solutions. The demand for sustainable materials is rising, and we can actively contribute to reducing resource consumption and CO2 emissions.

Tägliche Auswirkungen

Wie sieht ein typischer Tag in Ihrer derzeitigen Funktion aus?

My day usually begins with analysing current forecasts, production capacities, and demand developments. I coordinate between mills, sales, and planning teams to avoid bottlenecks and keep everything aligned. A lot of the role comes down to working with data, supporting decisions and making sure the supply chain stays flexible.

Können Sie ein bestimmtes Projekt oder eine Initiative beschreiben, an der Sie in letzter Zeit gearbeitet haben und die Sie besonders spannend oder innovativ fanden?

One of the recent most exciting initiatives was improving our OTIF performance and optimising service levels in the sheeting area. Through more accurate forecasting, better alignment processes, and data-driven decisions, we significantly improved delivery reliability while increasing efficiency.

Wie trägt Ihre Arbeit direkt zu den nachhaltigen und ökologischen Vorteilen von Kartonverpackungen bei?

Good planning has a direct impact. The more precisely we can manage production and supply, the more we can reduce waste, avoid unnecessary transport and use resources efficiently. The better we plan, the smaller our environmental footprint – and the more we support the circular economy.

Welchen Rat würden Sie jemandem geben, der gerade seine Karriere in dieser Branche beginnt?

Stay curious, try to understand the bigger picture of how everything fits together, and don’t be afraid of numbers or complex processes. The industry offers many development opportunities – those who are open-minded, take responsibility, and enjoy teamwork can grow quickly.

Was ist der eine Grund, warum Sie stolz darauf sind, in der Karton- und Faltschachtelindustrie zu arbeiten?

We’re working with a material that’s both practical and sustainable. It plays a real role in reducing environmental impact, which gives the work a sense of purpose. Cartonboard is a material with a future.

Über Ihre Rolle hinaus

Was ist eine Fähigkeit oder ein Hobby, das Sie außerhalb Ihrer Arbeit haben und das Ihnen in Ihrer Rolle überraschend geholfen hat?

I spend a lot of my free time running, cycling, skiing, and hiking. These all help me build endurance, focus, and patience – qualities that are just as important in supply chain management as they are in sports.

Was ist der beste Ratschlag, den Sie je erhalten haben?

“Change is an opportunity.” This simple mindset has helped me navigate career transitions and see new responsibilities as chances to grow.

Wenn Sie einen Tag lang einen anderen Job in der Verpackungsbranche haben könnten, welcher wäre das und warum?

I would love to spend a day in product development. It would be fascinating to see how new packaging solutions are created and how creative ideas are combined with technical requirements and sustainability goals.

Was ist die eine Sache, von der Sie sich wünschen würden, dass mehr Menschen sie über die Karton- und Faltschachtelindustrie wissen?

That there’s a lot more behind it than people might think. It is truly innovative and sustainable and that can sometimes be missed. Many people see packaging as something ordinary, but behind it stands a highly advanced, resource-efficient industry that actively contributes to the circular economy.