Vera, our Quality Manager

“Mondi is the perfect place to take your career to the next level” 

Vera Burkhart’s journey at Mondi began with an unexpected twist. Initially set on pursuing a career in human resources, Vera’s path took a dynamic turn towards operations at Mondi Eschenbach. Now a Quality Manager in Corrugated Solutions, Vera shares her story of growth, challenge and breaking new ground in a traditionally male-dominated field. 

As part of our Spotlight On series, we are profiling several Corrugated Packaging colleagues to discover the opportunities, and occasional challenges, of our growth journey.

^{A Nexgen workshop together with colleagues at Mondi Release Liner}   

When I joined Mondi in 2016, I never imagined starting my career in operations. 

After completing my business administration degree, I aspired to a career in human resources. I joined Mondi’s Diversity One trainee programme at Mondi Eschenbach, which introduced me to operations. Sharing an office near the corrugator and converting machines with the plant manager and shift leaders was a new and bustling environment – warm, loud, hectic and far from what I had imagined. At first, I found it hard to get used to. 

With the guidance of supportive colleagues, I began to find my footing. Through their encouragement and my own determination, I learned to communicate effectively with the team, gain a deeper understanding of the products and familiarise myself with the technical aspects of operations. This experience made me appreciate the complexities of production and the dedication of the people working in that environment. 

I soon discovered how much I enjoyed the fast-paced and dynamic nature of production. 

Operations wasn't what I initially expected, but it grew on me. It's dynamic and fascinating, with new challenges every day. Although it can be stressful, the learning opportunities are immense. 

^{Vera taking part in a running event in Linz}

Leading a corrugator team was a huge learning experience. 

After completing the trainee programme, I was given the responsibility of leading the corrugator team. The team was entirely male, and many had been with the company for more than 20 years. The role proved both a significant challenge and an incredible learning opportunity. It required not only technical expertise but also effective communication and the ability to build trust with an experienced team. 

Relocating to Austria was a major step, but it turned out to be a great decision. 

After a few years at Mondi Eschenbach, I felt it was time for a new challenge. When the opportunity to become Quality Manager at Mondi Release Liner Austria came up, it felt like a big leap. A few days after the interview, I was offered the position – and given not much time to decide. I trusted my gut feeling and accepted. Looking back, it was one of the most spontaneous yet enriching decisions I've ever made. 

I anticipated big challenges, but I always felt supported and had a fantastic team. My direct supervisor consistently challenged me and fostered my growth, eventually nominating me for NEXGEN, our internal leadership programme and an integral part of Mondi's broader people development agenda.

^{Vera hiking in Norway in 2024}

The NEXGEN programme taught me to never give up. 

At times during our project, we were stuck and couldn’t move forward – which was extremely frustrating, because we desperately wanted to deliver. Balancing the project with my job wasn’t easy, either – the workload ended up being more than I’d expected. 

We pushed ourselves to the limit, and as a team, we made our project a success. It was an incredible achievement that made every effort worthwhile. What made the deepest impact on me was understanding just how far a team with diverse strengths and the ability to work well together can go when driven by persistence. 

I’m now back in Corrugated Solutions, where my journey started. 

I’m now applying my knowledge in quality management to support our corrugated solutions plants. Every day is an opportunity to learn from my colleagues, whether it's about our innovative products, understanding our customers, tackling challenges or sharing good practices.  

Leaving Mondi Release Liner Austria after five years was a tough decision, as it was a place where I gained invaluable knowledge and embraced countless opportunities for growth. However, stepping out of your comfort zone is essential if you truly want to grow, and taking bold steps like this is part of that journey. 

If you have a dream, go for it. 

At Mondi, growth is always possible. Even if things don’t go as expected or align perfectly with your initial vision, it’s important to keep moving forward - there’s always an opportunity waiting. Being open to new experiences and challenges is what matters most.