AUTOR: PASCAL FRICK
MS Direct is facing a huge transformation: the company is evolving from a traditional logistics provider with IT expertise into a technology pioneer that integrates logistics applications with physical logistics. This ambitious step requires visionary minds like Sebastian Fuchs and his dedicated team, who are driving the digital transformation forward with determination. Sebastian has been leading the business analysis team since 2023 and has already implemented an impressive number of digitalization and automation projects. We invited him for an interview to find out more about the exciting challenges and projects his team faces and to gain an insight into his leadership philosophy in this dynamic environment.
Sebastian, you joined MS Direct in January 2023 as Head of the Business Analysis Team. How exactly did you join us?
Basically through a normal application procedure – but the way there still has a special history. Before my current job, I worked in consulting. Mmy then boss had a consulting mandate with MS Direct. He was so enthusiastic about the collaboration that he himself moved to MS Direct himself. 2022 wollte ich mich beruflich neu orientieren und suchte eine Stelle als Business-Analyst. Zufällig war bei MS Direct genau eine solche Stelle offen. Nach all dem Positiven, das ich von früheren Chef gehört hatte, war es ein No-brainerto apply. And voilà, here I am.
A business analysis team already existed at MS Direct, but it lacked a manager, which you are now. What challenges did you face at the beginning?
It was definitely something new for me. I had managed project teams before, but a line management role requires a bit more. Many of the people in my team hadn’t been there for long and hadn’t had any direct management experience. As a result, we first had to define exactly what we were responsible for and what we were not. We handed over work that didn’t concern us and took on work that belonged to my team. That wasn’t always easy, but I can say with a clear conscience that we have now expanded our scope of work. We do much more than just business analysis.
The team behind the digital transformation
Sebastian and his team give us an insight into their exciting work and current projects in business analysis.
You have your finger on the pulse of the company's development. What exactly does your team do today?
To summarize: We are responsible for the agile transformation of the company using digital means. MS Direct has a lot of automation and digitalization potential that needs to be exploited. We take on the role of technology managers and ensure that the right software or technology is used in the right place. In doing so, we act as an interface between the customer Success Managers, who take care of the operational processes and customer requirements, and the IT specialists, who integrate the software or machines for us. My team therefore speaks two working languages and can mediate between the parties.
Can you give us an insight into what you have been working on and what is still to come?
There are a few things. Last year, the focus was on software solutions, as the market has put pressure on us and our aim is to be at the forefront of technology. For example, we recently introduced a new tool that allows us to better visualize and evaluate our customer inquiries. We are also working on the introduction of a new Returns module, the to make the work of our production employees easier and speed up processes. For the future, we are evaluating customs software and improving automatic invoicing. In 2024, we will be adding more automation projects, such as systems that automatically pack parcels and picking robots for our warehouse. Lots of exciting projects that will significantly increase our productivity.
"We automate repetitive tasks and thus make our employees' work more interesting."
That sounds very exciting. So you have a big influence on the day-to-day work of many employees?
Exactly. The overarching goal of our work is to generate more revenue with less effort. At the same time, we can make our employees’ work more interesting by increasingly automating repetitive tasks. The use of machines also helps us to respond better to staff shortages, which gives us more stability in the company.
You yourselves are in a very hectic environment due to the numerous projects. Nevertheless, your team is known throughout the company for its great team spirit. How have you contributed to this as a manager?
I am pleased to say that my team has been made up of great people. We built up the team spirit. For me as a manager, the psychological security of my team members is important. My motto is: if my people are doing well at work, they are more motivated, more resilient and intrinsically more willing to achieve more in terms of quantity and quality. The work is important, but it is just as important to enjoy it and interact with each other. That’s why we also undertake every now and then something together outside of work. In my role as team leader it is important to set a good example and remain authentic. I deliberately don’t differentiate between my working self and my private self, I am “de Sebi” for everyone. If you set a positive example with this mindset, I believe it creates a lot of trust among employees.
And what do you personally like about your work at MS Direct?
MS Direct is at a point where the company is evolving from an SME into a large enterprise. My team and I have the unique opportunity to be part of this transformation and that spurs us on. me particularly attractive. In addition, the e-commerce sector with its dynamic environment and technological changes very exciting. It is also a sector that operates in the background and is therefore not really known to many people. That always makes for exciting stories to tell.