About Alexandra Gatzemeyer
Dr. Alexandra Gatzemeyer has been with Sartorius since 2004. She initially joined the company as a Sales Representative for Lab Products in St. Petersburg and later relocated to Göttingen, where she took on the responsibility for the Eastern European markets in the Bioprocessing Division.
Following her time in Russia, Alexandra assumed the role of Managing Director for the company’s entities in the market, and subsequently worked as a global HR Business Partner.
In 2018, she transitioned to the position of Head of Product Management for the lab essentials portfolio, and later took on the role of Head of Sales and Services for the Lab division. In June 2023, she succeeded Gerry Mackay as Head of Lab Products and Services and Member of the Executive Board.
Alexandra Gatzemeyer has been with Sartorius in various positions for almost two decades. Recently, she succeeded Gerry Mackay as Head of the Lab Products and Services division and as a Member of the Executive Board. In this interview, learn more about Alexandra’s career path, her new role, ambitions, and advice for career growth.
This article is posted on the Sartorius Blog.
Alexandra, you've been with the company for more than 18 years. Can you remember how you came to work for Sartorius?
I remember it very well. In 2004, after completing my Ph.D., I was actively seeking job opportunities in the pharmaceutical, food and beverage or chemical industries. I came across a job advertisement from Sartorius in a newspaper, the old-fashioned way. The advertisement specified the need for someone in Russia who had a deep understanding of the pharma industry, spoke English and was willing to travel. It seemed like a perfect fit for me, meeting all the criteria. I applied for the position, the chemistry was right - but the position had already been filled.
However, a few months later, I received an unexpected call from Sartorius inviting me to join the company as a Sales Representative. Although I had no prior experience in sales, I knew the needs of the customers - and I quickly learned everything else.
From there, you embarked on an impressive career path with very different roles. How did these help you advance your career?
That's right, my career at Sartorius has led me into very different roles. From sales rep, to HR, to product development, back to sales and services - and today I can say that all these jobs have helped me to better understand our customers, our products, and our company.
I think there are two ways to develop your career: You can become a super-specialized expert in one field, or you can become an expert on how things work together, where you understand how your topic relates to everything around you, and what the dynamics and influencing factors are.
The different hats I have worn at Sartorius so far have given me insights into these interdependencies - not only how, for example, product management, operations, marketing, and sales work together, but also how talent management is crucial to this. In addition, this type of job rotation helps you build your support network within the company.
Looking at your new positions as Head of Lab Products and Services and Member of the Executive Board, how are you experiencing these roles so far?
To be honest, it wasn't easy for me to step out of my role as Head of Sales and Services. It is a great team, and these are the things I love to do. But I know the team is in good hands, and I am curious to get more involved in marketing, product management, operations, and mergers and acquisitions to build a plan for 2025 and beyond.
I must acknowledge that I see some pressure from being the first woman on the board. I am proud of that, but it certainly brings additional attention to my actions and decisions.
However, I've been with the company for so long that I feel well prepared, and my goal is clear: I want to have a strong impact on our growth story and be one of the driving forces behind the company's future development.
I've been with the company for so long that I feel well prepared, and my goal is clear: I want to have a strong impact on our growth story.
Alexandra Gatzemeyer, Head of Lab Products and Services and Member of the Executive Board
Changing roles, especially within a dynamic company like Sartorius, inevitable comes with its share of challenges. Tell us about some of them and how you overcame them.
Of course, there have been situations that required special attention - from the economic crisis in 2008 to the coronavirus pandemic and the normalization phase our industry is going through now.
But I have never seen these as challenges that we have to overcome. These are situations we need to manage to stay on course. We build the right team, perhaps even including our customers and suppliers, to understand the uncertainties - and together we find the answers.
You've seen Sartorius grow from a 400-million-euro business with less than 4,000 people to a 4-billion-euro company with a team of more than 15,000. As an employer today, what sets the company apart for you?
What's special about us is that we are very dynamic; more than 150 years old, but the spirit is that of a young company - entrepreneurial. We understand that there is always room for improvement, and we are always willing to learn and adapt. I frequently hear this from new joiners, they are often surprised at how quickly we jump on new ideas or projects to become better. I believe this is also how our culture serves our customers.
In addition, even though we have grown so much in the last few years, people are very well connected globally and across the organization. And of course, the growth of the company brings with it many opportunities for people to actively shape their careers, for example by trying out new roles - as I did.
The growth of the company brings with it many opportunities for people to actively shape their careers, for example by trying out new roles.
Alexandra Gatzemeyer, Head of Lab Products and Services and Member of the Executive Board
Looking at your own path, what advice do you have for people who want to grow professionally?
Let me tell you an anecdote about how I realized that I had to take my career into my own hands: I had been with Sartorius as a sales rep for a while when I was supporting the recruitment process for the position of Sales Manager for Eastern Europe and Russia - a role that reported directly to my manager’s manager.
While conducting interviews, I couldn't help but think, "I can do this better than they can. They applied for the position - why didn't I apply? Why not me?" I called the manager and asked him to consider me, and I ended up getting the job.
Therefore, my advice is simple: Never stop thinking, "Why not me?" And this is especially true for women. If you're interested in something, but you don't have the knowledge and skills. Then go and get the knowledge and the skills. Be courageous and never stop learning.
Everyone has the potential to make a difference in our amazing industry. We have some of the most highly educated people, we develop cutting-edge technologies that are shaping our future. So, if you want to be more involved, go for it.
My advice for people who want to grow their career is: Never stop thinking, 'Why not me?'
Alexandra Gatzemeyer, Head of Lab Products and Services and Member of the Executive Board
