Managers under the spotlight - Robert Hellwagner, Selgros

Robert HELLWAGNER

CEO of Selgros Cash & Carry SRL Romania

Robert Hellwagner has 22 years of extensive experience with core competencies in leadership, employee motivation, change management, strategy development and strategy implementation in sales. Before joining Selgros Romania in 2017, he was working for more than ten years in the beer industry. Hellwagner was a Member of the Board of Heineken Switzerland and held the position of Regional Sales Manager - Region East and Head of Key Accounting HoReCa at Brau Union Austria. Robert Hellwagner started his career in the banking business at Raiffeisenlandesbank in Upper Austria. There he gathered know-how in internal sales consulting, sales training, controlling and market research. Hellwagner studied Business Administration in Linz and wrote his Ph.D. thesis in the field of banking and value-based performance management. He holds a Global Executive MBA and an International Strategic Management MBA degree at JKU Business School and Carrol School of Management Boston.

As part of the CCE-R initiative meant to bring member managers under the spotlight, we had the opportunity to address Robert a few questions from both human and professional perspectives. Enjoy the interview down below!

1. What does a working day look like for you?

My main activity is receiving and sharing information, discussing opportunities, finding solutions and communicating towards all stakeholders. That’s why many days are full of meetings. I try to focus on the important topics and projects and to follow them up on a frequent basis.

Regularly I visit stores, to get a direct feedback from our customers and employees regarding our services, assortment and innovations.

Especially during pandemic, many working days brought up unforeseen surprises which had to be managed. All in all, my days are diverse and never boring.

2. How is Robert Hellwagner outside the office?

I try to be the same in and outside the office. I am convinced being authentic in private and business life is for all persons involved the most honest and fair style.

3. Tell us about one important project you’re working on this year.

Our permanent focus is on our clients to offer professional services, quality products, a wide assortment and a pleasant buying experience. Our entire team is dedicated to fulfill this mission. In 2021, we were paying special attention to our logistics/supply chain management to optimize our services. We improved the efficiency of our supply chains by opening a logistics platform in Bucharest for fresh, chilled, and frozen products. This also gave us the possibility to list producers who do not have their own national distribution network and to guarantee our high quality and freshness standards.

4. What was one big innovation your industry has benefited from over the last few years?

One of the most important trend in the last years in retail industry was digitalization. Online shopping on the one side, but also  more digitalization in the stores and in the communication toward the clients.

We focused on this importance, and this is why we implemented a series of digital solutions. We introduced in some of our stores self-scanning and self-checkout systems allowing clients to win significant time and convenience while shopping. We also further developed our Selgros app, which offers subscribers many extra benefits.

5. What’s one great challenge the industry you’re operating in is currently facing?

Through pandemic, the lifestyle of people changed in many aspects. Especially during the period of lockdown and after that the reduced possibilities to visit restaurants, food consumption was transferred inhouse. Cooking at home became very important.

People increased interest in specialties and gourmet food on the one hand, but also in cooking techniques that would enable them to create and enjoy exquisite meals at home.

In order to adapt to this new trend, we created two online projects: Masterclasses by Selgros and Vinul Saptamanii. Our partner chefs offer our customers valuable information regarding cooking techniques, tips & tricks in the kitchen and our Sommelier Sergiu Nedelea, accompanied by our colleague Krisztina Muntoi, present our wide wine assortment. They talk about the stories behind different vineries and recommend the right food pairings. Moreover, consumers are more and more conscious about health, environment, social responsibility and the support of regional products. These expectations were already on the rise, but were accelerated during the pandemic time and will stay also afterwards.

6. What’s your current hobby?

In my spare time, I like spending time with my girlfriend - having a nice lunch or dinner, combined with a walk, playing tennis, mountain biking and from time to time playing golf.

7. What’s your favourite book?

I like reading about a lot of different topics, mainly magazines about economics, history, digitalization and science.

8. What piece of advice would you give to a newly appointed CEO?

Generally and particularly, in the beginning, the most important asset is listening and understanding the insights of the business, the company and people. Make up your mind, create a plan, align it with all stakeholders and stick to it. Treat your employees as you want to be treated yourself.