People at PUMA
The joy
of relocations
Internal Mobility at PUMA
September 21, 2021Internal Mobility at PUMA
September 21, 2021International experience always has a positive impact on our employee’s life and career. It gives them a chance to experience new cultures and to broaden their horizons. Going overseas can be a nervous experience, this is true. But going through it and coming out from the other side gives people a greater sense of confidence in themselves. At PUMA we encourage our employees to experience that path as part of our internal mobility program. Here, four PUMA employees open up about their personal relocation experiences.
Adriana Sanchez
Senior Teamhead Commercial Marketing
Tell us about your relocation path. Where were you prior to this?
Adriana: I started with PUMA as a Jr. PRS (Puma Retail System) Country Manager in PUMA Mexico and then as PRS Country Manager, Trade Marketing Country Manager, Marketing Manager and finally Marketing Director which I did for almost four years before moving to the Headquarter in Herzogenaurach to join the Global Commercial Marketing Team.
What do you like about the experience?
Adriana: The opportunity to work with such a diverse group of people is a unique and incredible experience. It is really a ‘never-not-learning’ situation, the more you learn from others the more I learn about myself as well. It challenges me to see everyday things from different perspectives and it’s an amazing eye and mind opener. Another thing that I love is to be able to meet PUMA people working on the different offices around the world and see that we all share the same drive and spirit, is really motivating. It gives me a sense of purpose and community. It has been personal and professional growth experience in every way.
Did you struggle in the beginning?
Adriana: Oh yes, of course! Cultural shock is real. I left the long known for the unknown, felt like in a limbo for a few months by myself away from my family and friends. But then that limbo feeling vanishes, and you start to have a feeling of belonging and that makes a big difference. And then when my husband joined me, I think is when I really felt complete.
Why did you choose to relocate?
Adriana: Honestly, I wanted to challenge myself to perform outside my comfort zone and make a difference. I knew that if I didn’t try it, I would have regrated later. It was the right choice for me.
Scott Leighton
Senior Manager Sales
Tell us about your relocation path. Where were you prior to this?
Scott: I started with PUMA as an intern in the Global Merchandising Operations department, before going through the steps of working student, Junior Manager and Manager over a period of five years. After that I moved to Global eCommerce as Project Manager and later as Senior Program Manager. In total I spent four years in Global eCommerce before shifting to India.
What do you like about the experience?
Scott: The adventure and the non-stop learning experience. Every day presents new and unexpected challenges in both work and personal life. The sheer diversity of India keeps me continuously trying and experiencing new things to learn more about the country and myself.
Did you struggle in the beginning?
Scott: Things have not always been straightforward, but that’s what I expected and, to be honest, was looking for. I’ve got a great support network within PUMA which I can always tap into, and that gives me a lot of comfort.
Why did you choose to relocate?
Scott: I was looking for a big change in personal and professional life to challenge myself and satisfy a craving for new adventures. I’d lived in Thailand around 10 years ago and missed the vibrance, the food, and the weather there. India shares a few similarities, however is also completely different in so many ways. This has allowed me to experience some of the same feelings whilst discovering something completely new. On the professional side, I was looking to get into a business role within a growth market and again India fit the brief perfectly.
Nicole Fella
Head of People＆Organization, Australia
Tell us about your relocation path. Where were you prior to this?
Nicole: I started as HR Business Partner for DACH, progressed to a Senior Business Partner and moved to Melbourne in 2018. The original plan was to stay in Australia for 2 years, but we have extended to stay a bit longer fairly quickly.
What do you like about the experience?
Nicole: Basically everything. It is a perfect match for me from a professional and a private perspective. I am part of an amazing team that tackles every challenge and is keen to be better every day. Melbourne is a fascinating city with a wide variety of possibilities at your doorstep. I love the outdoors and try to get out in the bush as much as time and lockdowns permit and enjoy every second.
Did you struggle in the beginning?
Nicole: I would not say it was a struggle, but it was definitely challenging. There are a lot of topics I had to learn and get my head around from a work perspective and besides that I needed to set my personal live up from the scratch. If I would have been on my own, it would have been hard to juggle all the different aspects, but PUMA has supported me in such an amazing way. The support I had and have from Germany, Hong Kong and Australia is just outstanding and I would like to say thank you.
Why did you choose to relocate?
Nicole: I guess I am a pretty adventurous person. I love to challenge myself and get out of my comfort zone. Relocating is a great opportunity to learn and grow on a professional and also on a personal level. It was definitely one of the best decisions I made for me as a person and I am grateful for this opportunity.
Alberto Turincio
Senior Manager PR Sportstyle
Tell us about your relocation path. Where were you prior to this?
Alberto: In 2008 I started an internship with PUMA Mexico, I held different positions in the Marketing team managing a variety of exciting projects over a period of five years. I was then invited to relocate to our regional office in Chile where I was Brand Communications Manager for the LatAm region. After 4 years in Santiago, I moved to Boston to oversee our global PR for Running and Training. Now, I recently relocated to Herzo so I could work closer with the Sportstyle BU, as I transitioned to that team.
What do you like about the experience?
Alberto: It’s been an amazing experience, primarily meeting so many new people, different cultures and ways of thinking. It’s allowed me to grow in my career, but also personally.
Did you struggle in the beginning?
Alberto: It’s never easy leaving your home country, as you leave behind so many things, primarily family and friends. Also, when you arrive to a new place, there are so many things that are different, which you just must get used to. I’ve been very lucky that I haven’t done this by myself, but I’ve had a great partner by my side that has certainly made things much easier.
Why did you choose to relocate?
Alberto: At first it was just a great opportunity, I never thought I would be away from Mexico for so long, the original plan was to just be away for a couple of years. It obviously something that most people dream of, and having the chance in front of me, I just needed to seize it. It’s been so fun and as mentioned before, it’s allowed me to know new places, advance in my career, meet new people and different cultures.
