Whether it is navigating a tough hiking trail or a new career path, Martin has experienced both! Martin is a passionate world traveler who loves the mountains and has done countless hikes in faraway areas such as Patagonia, New Zealand, and Canada. Choosing a career path is one of life’s biggest decisions, and it can be just as challenging to navigate as a tough trail. Martin, Lipotype’s Human Resources and Brand Experience Manager, has gone through a unique career journey, shifting from marketing and sales to HR. Let’s explore his story and the lessons he has learned along the way!
Leading People, Across Borders and Industries
Before joining Lipotype, Martin studied Tourism Management and began his career as a project manager in the tourism industry. In tourism, he quickly learned the importance of clear communication, spontaneity, and cultural sensitivity—skills that are just as vital when collaborating with diverse teams and building a strong company culture. These early experiences helped him to build a people-first mindset and a strong foundation in stakeholder management, something he benefits from daily in his new role.
Martin puts, “This experience sharpened my organizational and interpersonal skills, which are essential when shaping a company culture, leading teams, and supporting strategic growth in a growing company like Lipotype.”
Starting His Career at Lipotype
Martin began his career at Lipotype as a marketing and sales assistant. He decided to join Lipotype due to its unique culture. He liked that the company is built on flat hierarchies, down-to-earth colleagues, and open communication. Also, the opportunity to collaborate with an international team was especially appealing; it brings a richness of perspectives that aligns perfectly with my belief in the power of diverse workplaces.
Originally, Martin’s duties included lots of sales administration and taking care of the sample shipment of our customers’ samples, but he also voluntarily took additional duties while completing the given tasks. For example, he volunteered to organize internal team events, such as the annual team retreat or a ping pong tournament and loved it.
Career Change Backed by Lipotype’s Commitment to Employee Development
It became more and more evident for Martin that there was a growing need to strengthen Lipotype’s approach to people and culture. Drawing on his previous experience in managing teams, he recognized areas where the existing HR processes could be improved and expanded. With the company’s continuous growth and the expectation of more employees in the near future, Martin saw the potential benefits of having a dedicated role focused on people-and-culture-related responsibilities. Taking the initiative, he proposed transitioning into an HR-focused role to help centralize and enhance these efforts. This step marked the beginning of a new chapter in his career. Martin understood that Lipotype places a strong emphasis on employee growth, believing that the company’s success is driven by the growth of its people.
Martin says:
“When you’re considering a new step in your career, take the time to discover your interests and strengths. Once you’ve found your direction, be brave and take action!”
Martin Richter
Human Resources and Brand Experience Manager
Building from Scratch as a One-Man People & Culture Team
Martin took on the challenge of building a new department within the existing HR system because he recognized the need and believed he was the right person for the job. One of the big projects he managed was choosing the right HR software and systems to integrate into the company. Despite the challenges of starting everything from scratch, he successfully built Lipotype’s People & Culture department, which led to the opening of Lipotype’s very own career center last year as well.
Martin adds, “One of the biggest challenges has been separating personal and professional lives. Given that I discuss sensitive topics such as career progression, salary expectations, and personal situations with colleagues, the role can be challenging especially when it involves delivering difficult news.”
What is The Lipotype Career Center?
Discover what makes Lipotype a great place to grow.
At our Career Center, you’ll find everything you need to know—from our mission, core values and real stories of our team to the current job openings. Whether you’re just curious or ready to take the next step, this is where your journey begins.
The Secret to Organizing Team Events Everyone Loves
Martin is known for organizing fabulous team gatherings that everyone enjoys. His secret? Gathering feedback! For example, last year’s Christmas party was a huge hit, thanks to Martin taking the feedback from the previous year into account. There were comments that hosting a big party at the office can be a lot of work because it usually involves a lot of setup and cleanup. So, this time Martin made sure everyone got to enjoy a stress-free evening out. The team went bowling and then had a traditional German dinner at a local restaurant. Beyond listening to preferences, Martin also ensures that each activity aligns with the company’s culture and values, making every event both enjoyable and meaningful.
Lucky Start for Martin’s Continuous Development
Martin is dedicated to constantly improving his skills and knowledge in the HR field. Once he was attending an HR conference at the beginning of his new career, he took a chance on a prize wheel and won a voucher for a four-day HR seminar! Of course, he seized the opportunity and participated in the seminar, which turned out to be incredibly helpful. He gained extensive knowledge in communication and leadership while also expanding his network by connecting with other HR professionals. This helped him gain practical exposure to real-life examples, such as the tools commonly used by HR professionals, their challenges, and so forth.
Martin’s Advice to Making a Career Change
“Are you thinking about switching careers? Start by exploring what truly interests you and identifying your unique strengths. Once you know where you want to go, take courage and take action. For instance, you can ask your supervisor the possibility of a career transition and and directly propose your vision and idea in detail.”
Want to Work in HR? Martin Shares What You Need to Know
“I highly recommend finding a mentor through LinkedIn or any networking events to gain some real-world insights. Connecting with other HR professionals can be really helpful since you get to ask them questions and ask for help if needed.”
