CHOOSE
A DIFFERENT TERRITORY
Located in Erbusco, half way between Milan and Verona, EMR’s small but dedicated team ensures customers across Italy have access to the company’s world-leading recycling services. And, at the heart of the operation, is Administrator Federica Maghini.
“I do everything that EMR’s back-office operations require, from sales and purchasing contracts to invoicing and communicating between suppliers and customers,” she says. “I also handle payments and insurance.”
While EMR’s presence in Italy is limited, Federica has built up strong relationships with colleagues across the UK and EU.
“I’ve had the chance to visit teams in EMR Netherlands and at EMR Hamburg, who gave me a better understanding of how EMR operates in regions where there are yards accepting materials, processing them and supplying them on to customers. Every employee was so welcoming and accepted me into their team – it felt like being part of a bigger family.”
Nonetheless, Federica says she won’t being queuing up for a more physical role out on one of EMR’s yards any time soon:
“I was surprised at how noisy it was when you got close to the machinery – I’m much more suited to my office-based role.”
Federica has now worked with EMR for more than a decade but her roles prior to joining continue to have an influence on her working life today.
“I worked at an immigration office and was one of the first people immigrants would meet when they arrived in Italy – meeting with their families and offering support. I also worked in a bookshop and, straight after university, I worked abroad, in Germany, as an au pair for a family.”
Federica says her previous experiences gave her the confidence to work with a broad range of people as well as the skills to navigate unexpected challenges. “I also learned how to be patient and listen to what people need,” she adds.
Despite this experience, joining EMR meant learning a whole new set of skills and developing a detailed understanding of the industry:
“I didn’t know a lot about the job at first, so it was really important that EMR was so supportive. That’s something which has continued throughout my time here and there’s lots of opportunities to develop your career.”
Having been part of the industry during a time of significant change, does Federica have any advice to the next generation of young women hoping to build a career in the recycling industry?
“It’s important to trust yourself, speak up and occasionally stand up for yourself when it comes to conversations with people outside of the business.
“Every now and then conversations can become a little heated when you have to push back – especially when the person on the phone is expecting to speak to a man. My advice to any colleague is to not let that intimidate you. Sometimes you just have to smile and get on with it.”
Federica says that things have improved, not only in the way the industry treats and accepts women in a variety of roles, but in the services, quality and sustainability the industry delivers:
“There’s been a lot of change, both in the relationships we have with our customers and the level of innovation that is being introduced to the industry. Thanks to its size and company culture, EMR has always been at the forefront of this – and very professional in its systems and processes.
“Now we’re seeing the rest of the industry catching up.“
Read about other people who make EMR a great place to work, learn about our culture and values, or see our latest vacancies.
