Lidl disbands a department that follows employees "every step"

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Following a change in management at the Schwarz Group, the new boss of the parent company of Lidl and Kaufland is dependent on extensive modernization, such as “handlesblatt“Reported.

Unlike his predecessor Klaus Gehrig, who was considered the “sole ruler” of the group, Gerd Krzanowski relies on an expert team. In one of his first official acts, he promoted heads of different regions to CEOs.

The “Internal Audit and Advice” department, which according to the staff should have felt like the internal Secret Service, has been abolished. Gerd Chrzanowski is known to be team-oriented, open to new ideas and a boss who leads “on an equal footing”.

Leadership change complete: K’s former boss black group Klaus Gehrig has stepped down, the new management of the parent company Kaufland And Lidl Gerd Chrzanowski is captured. The change of power came earlier than expected. In early July, Schwarz Group announced that Krzanowski would take over from Gehrig after 40 years of management. But with the new head of the Schwarz group, the way has been paved for new visions of Kaufland and Lidl’s future, such as “handlesblatt“Reported.

The new boss isn’t the only thing that brings a breath of fresh air to the top. Soon after taking over management of the position, Krzanowski promoted several directors from executive board positions to executive board chairmen in their departments, including digitization, IT, waste management and production divisions. Unlike Klaus Gehrig, who was considered the tough “sole ruler” of Lidl and Kaufland, Krzanowski relies on team leadership with several department heads.

End of “Internal Testing and Consulting” Department

The main focus in future growth should be directed towards changes in corporate culture, with trust and cooperation at the top of the list. Previously, “under Gehrig’s leadership the basic principles of leadership were shaped by fear and mistrust,” said one manager, according to Handelsblatt. As “Handelsblatt” writes, every move should have been controlled, leaving no room for error, otherwise one would risk losing one’s job. Under these circumstances they are said to have no courage to start new projects or suggestions.

Klaus Gehrig has applied its strict guiding principles with the field of “Internal Auditing and Consulting”. The field was recently pioneered by Gehrig’s 28-year-old confidante, Annabel Ehm. Some employeeshandlesblatt“This department would feel like a secret service that was following you every step of the way. Any decision before it had to be justified. Anyone who wanted to be successful in the company had to go through the department. Annabel Ehm Prior to 2012, Melanie Koehler was the head of “Internal Audit and Consulting.” After completing this position, the 30-year-old later became the group’s chief financial officer.

This department is now abolished under the new management of Gerd Chrzanowski. Annabel Ehm was dismissed and the department was closed. The new boss is said to be team-oriented. He can listen, is open to new ideas and is always objective. “It moves to a similar level,” said a Handelsblatt employee.

144 Real Stores Become Kaufland Branches

The foundation stone for Kaufland has been laid with the recent acquisition of 144 real stores and its online marketplace. Lidl focuses on further development of web shops in different countries. Former Tschibo specialist Ines Jagemann is about to help. Starting September 1, she will take over the management of Lidl’s digital division.

Kenneth McGrath, who previously extensively modernized the US discounter Save-a-Lot, has plans for future Lidl management. Initially, the Irishman was supposed to manage Lidl’s international business. However, in the longer term, it has already been agreed that he will take over the overall management of Lidl. At this point, at the latest, Chrzanowksi can focus entirely on the management of the company.