Tobias is senior site manager at ZÜBLIN Timber.

How was your start at ZÜBLIN Timber?

A compulsory internship at technical college led me to the company. After successfully graduating as a timber construction technician from the technical college in Augsburg and my unsolicited application, I started in the then agricultural construction sector in work preparation and construction management.

After changes in the business areas, I was at home as a construction manager in the big world. I was able to realize major projects such as the "Metropol Parasol" in Seville or the new construction of the "Charles de Gaulle" airport terminal in France on site. Later, back in the office, I supported the timber construction elements department and worked in work preparation. Since 2011, I have been drawn back to timber construction sites and have been responsible for various projects as senior site manager ever since.

What knowledge do you have?

As a trained carpenter, I was involved with wood as a building material from a young age. This was followed by a two-year apprenticeship as a timber construction technician. I was very quickly given a lot of responsibility. The challenging timber construction sites gave me a lot of practical knowledge. Theory never fell by the wayside, because lifelong learning is part of my job.

Is your job as senior site manager everything you imagined it would be?

Yes!
I am employed by ZÜBLIN Timber as a senior site manager for the Timber Construction & Façade division. I supervise a commissioned timber construction project from start to finish. The many and varied tasks involved make the job attractive for me. For new projects, I get involved as early as the planning phase and supervise the project beyond the acceptance of the work. This requires a sensitive feel for the respective counterpart. Supervising, coordinating, creating, solving, checking, scheduling and deciding are just some of the attributes you need to have in this job.

You're on the road a lot. Do you even have time for family and friends here?

There are jobs for all walks of life and personal career aspirations. This is also the case at ZÜBLIN Timber. On large construction sites, you usually have to reckon with greater local distances. Here, of course, you are on site more to manage the construction site. On the other hand, you get to see a lot of the world, get to know new cultures and have a lot of variety in your everyday life. As a senior site manager, I have the option of being in the office, working from home or on the construction site. In this role, I can combine a lot of things for myself and reconcile family, friends and work.

What makes ZÜBLIN Timber special for you?

For me, a new project means a new challenge. And there are many of them at ZÜBLIN Timber.
I find it fascinating to deal with new techniques, combinations and new types of construction. New teams are formed for new projects, everyone ticks differently, everyone acts differently.
You can always fall back on the headquarters and call on the expertise of colleagues at Timber and throughout the Group. People treat each other as equals, regardless of their education or background.

How did you get into the position of project manager?

I was seen and promoted based on my professional achievements and also how I approached the tasks at hand! Over time, I gained a lot of experience on a wide variety of construction sites, which gave me a great deal of know-how. I often had to use my own initiative and learn by doing. That was appreciated. I am constantly learning through internal further training measures and am open to new things.

How are you working on progress?

The ongoing digitalization of our processes is of central importance to me. Cadwork in particular plays a key role in the technical handling of our timber construction projects. I see great potential here to use the software even more intensively to ensure more precise and efficient project planning and execution.

Another important aspect is digital surveying. The use of 3D models opens up new possibilities for us to extract exact measurements directly from the models. This not only significantly improves accuracy, but also the efficiency of the planning and implementation phases.

I am also keen to implement the digital construction site. The introduction of platforms such as Dalux enables seamless coordination between the various teams, improved communication on the construction site and efficient documentation and tracking of all relevant construction site processes.
In the long term, this helps to optimize the entire construction process and supports us in completing timber construction projects on time and cost-effectively.

What is your mission for the future?

I am currently building a quail house for my children. I'm sharing the construction management with the kids. Of course it's being built with wood! Thanks to my conscious attitude to life and the Group's mission statement "People Planet Progress", I can also think and act sustainably in business.

For more insights into Tobias' job, watch the German video: