“An international career has always been my big dream”

Hello, my name is Thiago and I am Global Brand Manager at Beiersdorf in Hamburg. I am one of many expats here in the team and I love my job! My journey to Beiersdorf started six years ago at NIVEA Brazil. Brazil is my hometown and this is where I gained my first professional experience after studying graphic design – where I worked as a link between a creative agency and a retail company. It was at this time that I realized that marketing was my great passion and that my marketing journey started – accumulating now to more than ten years of experience. I was really excited when I was invited to a job interview at NIVEA Brazil. It was clear to me that I wanted to work for this company for a variety of reasons. It was important for me to work for a company whose values I could identify with, and I wanted to market products that I really believed in. But I also wanted to work in a company that would give me the opportunity for an international career, because that was my big dream. And from today’s perspective I can say: dreams can come true!

I worked for NIVEA Brazil for three years. First in trade marketing, then in marketing for NIVEA MEN. It was a great time! From day one, I could feel how much heart and soul all my colleagues had for the brand. They give their best every day and are proud to work for NIVEA. We have often joked about the fact that ‘blue blood’ must be flowing in our veins. We were a great team and achieved a lot together – and I learned an incredible amount during this time. Then suddenly my big chance came: the offer for an international position at Beiersdorf’s headquarters in Hamburg. Everything happened very quickly and I hardly had the time to sort out my feelings. On the one hand, I was so incredibly happy to get this unique opportunity, but on the other hand, I also felt a little scared and respectful towards the situation. It was going to be my first experience abroad – in a country I knew so little about. I could not speak German nor was I familiar with the lifestyle or culture of the country. In short: I had no idea what to expect but dared to jump into the cold water.

From today’s point of view, the courage was absolutely worth it. For me, the job as Global Brand Manager here is a great opportunity to be very close to the core of the brand. It makes me proud to help make consumers around the world feel good in their skin.

Also, I never thought I would encounter so many different cultures here in Hamburg. It is great to be a part of this community and I have to say that I have learned a lot here in the last three years. The collaboration with other experts from the fields of Packaging, Research & Development, Supply Chain, and other marketing colleagues is very close and cooperative. I can contribute my knowledge and opinion at any time and I feel that both are greatly appreciated. Of course, I miss my family and friends. However, whenever I visit my homeland, I miss my second home, Hamburg. It is amazing that my already strong relationship with my family has improved from this experience. Today we talk to each other much more often and take time to talk about everyday things. My family and friends in Brazil are very proud of my development. And I enjoy it so much when my twin brother, my family and my friends come to visit me in Hamburg. This is a great city! It is really beautiful, well organized and cosmopolitan. A big city that is cozy and charming at the same time, in which I gathered many new experiences and made new friends – and in which I have now taken a new professional step by switching from NIVEA Body to Face Care. I am looking forward to a continuously challenging and exciting journey. And if I had been asked twelve years ago what my dream career would look like – I think the answer would have been very close to the dream I am currently living.

In addition to our main editorial team, many international colleagues regularly contribute to our corporate blog. From Europe to Asia, from Durban to Buenos Aires, Dubai or Sydney, they report on exciting projects from our more than 160 affiliates around the world, giving you an insight into Beiersdorf's local working environment.