“A joint project” – Brigitte Achatz on career, family, and true collaboration

Some life paths are meticulously planned, while others evolve step by step – through opportunities, courage, and the people who accompany you along the way. Brigitte Achatz’s professional journey clearly belongs to the latter category. Today, she is a key HR interface at the AT&S site in Fehring and looks back on a career that is as diverse as she is.

Rooted in the region

Brigitte comes from Fürstenfeld and has remained loyal to the region to this day. “Fehring isn’t an anonymous working environment – you know each other here,” she says. This sense of familiarity was one of the reasons she chose AT&S.

Brigitte completed her business college diploma (HAK), and everything else developed over the course of her career. “I somehow just fell into it,” she says with a laugh, referring to her entry into sales. It all began with selling tiles. Later, she took on more organizational and commercial responsibilities, gaining valuable insights into the construction industry and small private businesses.

The next major chapter followed at Manpower, where she worked for over ten years – first in recruiting, later as a branch manager. She supported clients across southeastern Styria, southern Burgenland, and Graz. It was an intense time, marked by a high level of responsibility, numbers, budget planning, and even more personal commitment.

Career and family – only possible together

At the same time, Brigitte became a mother. She credits her family above all for making both possible. “None of this would have worked without my parents,” she says openly. Her father took on a large part of childcare, while her mother supported everyday life. “My son is truly a joint project.”

This honesty runs through the entire conversation. Brigitte speaks openly about commuting times, long days, difficult decisions, and how important a strong support network is – especially for working women.

Through her time at Manpower, Brigitte already knew AT&S well – particularly the Fehring site. When an HR position opened up there, she didn’t hesitate long. As she explains, the role was built around her. It certainly helped that she already knew many colleagues and processes.

Brigitte started at AT&S in January 2020 – just before the pandemic. Onboarding under normal conditions? Not a chance. “For a long time, I only knew my colleagues’ eyes,” she recalls. COVID, short-time work, special projects – all of this made her start challenging, but also highly educational.

Today, Brigitte is far more than a traditional HR manager. Recruiting, onboarding, apprentices, learning & development, time management, and serving as an interface to site management and departments – she is right in the middle of it all. That’s exactly what she appreciates:

“In a smaller, more family-like company, you can get involved everywhere and help shape things.”

She is particularly proud of the training initiatives of recent years. Leadership programs, training for forepersons, shift coordinators, and young talents. Her first major project in people development was challenging, but formative.

When asked about her personal traits, Brigitte smiles. She knows she can sometimes be very direct. “Some things simply can’t be sugarcoated.” At the same time, she describes herself as an open-door person. Approachable, open-minded, and down-to-earth. Values such as respect, perseverance, and reliability were instilled in her by her parents – and she continues to live by them today.

Travel, yoga, and volleyball

Brigitte unwinds by traveling. Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, New York, Singapore – many of these trips she took with her sister and her son. She was also very active in sports for many years, playing volleyball up to the second national league. Today, she passes this passion on to her son and finds balance through yoga.

Looking ahead

For the future, Brigitte hopes above all for stability and perspective for the Fehring site. She knows that economically challenging times may come, but she is convinced that cohesion, openness, and mutual trust are key.

Her advice to young talents?

Don’t abandon ship at the first sign of rough seas. “If you enjoy your job, you should stand by your company – just as the company must stand by its employees.”

In closing, Brigitte sums up her philosophy:

“The best outcome for employees and companies is a true win-win situation.”

And that’s exactly what she lives by every day.

Wordrap with Brigitte

Profile
Brigitte Achatz
HR BP Austria FEH

At AT&S since:
January 2020

Favorite drink: Cosmopolitan

Favorite food: Asparagus – preferably classic and seasonal, and sweets (her weakness)

Favorite sport: Volleyball (formerly up to the second national league – today a fan and supporter)

Biggest adventure: Her major travels – from Australia and New Zealand to Asia

Motto: “When people and companies benefit together, sustainable success is created. That’s what guides me in my daily work.”