Interview with Sabrina Peinal, VP HR at CARBOGEN AMCIS

Background and Vision

Could you tell us a bit about your background and what brought you to CARBOGEN AMCIS?

I was born in Alsace, France, and pursued HR management studies at Strasbourg Business School. Driven by a desire to explore the world, I began my career in Germany as a Junior HR Business Partner for a subsidiary of Airbus Group. This role sharpened my English and German skills and gave me invaluable international experience, sparking my passion for working in global environments.

This passion led me to Novartis in Basel, Switzerland, where I worked as an HR Project Manager. Immersed in a multicultural and cross-functional setting, I honed my collaboration skills and gained a deeper appreciation for the complexities of global organizations.

Later, at Lonza, I progressed through various roles, starting in HR Services and quickly moving into leadership. I led a team of HR professionals and tackled one of my biggest challenges: implementing a new HR Service Center in Manchester for the EMEA region. This experience strengthened my expertise in recruitment, process optimization, and cultural change.

Eager to have a greater impact within a smaller company, I joined CARBOGEN AMCIS as Global HR Manager, where I worked closely with site HR teams on diverse HR topics and cultural dynamics. After six years, I was honoured to step into the role of VP HR. I am excited to leverage my experience to support CARBOGEN AMCIS’s growth and success.

What excites you most about your new role as VP of HR?

What excites me most is the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the organization by implementing HR initiatives that align with business needs while fostering a supportive and fulfilling work environment. It is important for me to support a workplace where people feel safe, can experience personal satisfaction and accomplishment, and grow both individually and as part of a team. Ultimately, my goal is to help cultivate a culture where employees can thrive and feel genuinely happy in their roles.

HR Philosophy and Values

How do you plan to nurture the current company values?

CARBOGEN AMCIS is proud to be known as a human-oriented organization, often referring to itself as the “CARBOGEN AMCIS family.” My goal on my day to day work, is to ensure that these values go beyond words on a poster or website—they should be genuinely lived and felt by our employees. This means placing a strong emphasis on how we treat people, ensuring that humanity and respect are at the heart of every interaction and decision. This is my priority and to me the best way I could act on a personal level.

What key HR values do you believe are essential to fostering a positive and productive work environment?

I believe several key HR values are critical to creating a positive and productive workplace:

• Business Acumen: It is essential to approach every task or project with the question, “What value does this bring to the business?” Supporting the organization’s goals is our primary focus.
• Team Player Mentality: Collaboration is vital. HR teams must work closely together, breaking down barriers between global functions and business units. We are one unified team, supporting each other and working hand in hand to serve the business effectively.
• Flexibility and Agility: Being adaptable to new situations and willing to take on different tasks when necessary is crucial in today’s dynamic environment.
• Proactivity: Shifting from a reactive mind-set to a proactive approach is key to staying ahead and making meaningful contributions.

By fostering these values, we can create an HR function that not only supports employees but also drives the organization forward.

How do you approach balancing the well-being of employees with the business needs of the company?

One thing I believe is fundamental: to meet business needs effectively, employees must first take care of themselves. A great work-life balance and good health are essential to achieving this.

To support this, we have already implemented several initiatives and aim to extend them further. For example, we are developing an occupational health strategy that has been rolled out locally and the objective is is to expand thisto all sites globally.

Flexibility is another key aspect. While there are times when the business may require extra effort from employees, we ensure this is balanced by providing opportunities for them to take compensatory days off to rest and recharge. It’s a win-win collaboration that supports both the well-being of our employees and the needs of the business.

Employee Development and Culture

How do you ensure that employees feel valued and supported?

Ensuring that employees feel valued and supported is a top priority, especially in a demanding and highly regulated industry like ours. We focus on the following:

Recognition and Rewards: We try to ensure that employees are rewarded for their performance and contributions, showing them that their hard work is appreciated.

Leadership Development: By providing leadership training, we want to encourage managers to hold regular feedback sessions and place a strong emphasis on recognizing their teams’ efforts.

Training and Development: We want to equip employees with the relevant and necessary training to perform their roles effectively, ensuring they feel confident and supported in their work.

By combining these efforts, we aim to create an environment where employees feel acknowledged, empowered, and prepared to excel.

Women in Leadership

As a young woman in a leadership role, what advice would you give to other women who aspire to lead in traditionally male-dominated industries?

I am not sure if I can give advice, but what I can share is what has helped me along the way. My first piece of advice is: just go for it and dare. Even if you don’t feel ready or the next move scares you, take the leap. Don’t let fear of failure or self-doubt hold you back. See every new opportunity as a learning experience—give it your best, enjoy the process, and learn as much as you can.
Another important piece of advice is to be yourself and trust in yourself even if you are the only woman. Don’t try to be someone else; authenticity is your greatest strength. Speak up when you have something to say even if you think you are minority, and don’t hesitate to ask questions if you don’t know something, no one has all the answers.

Remember, the most challenging times are often the ones that teach you the most. If you don’t try, you’ll never know what you’re capable of, so take the chance and enjoy the journey!

Looking Forward

How do you envision the role of HR evolving as the company expands and adapts to industry changes?

As the company grows and the industry continues to evolve, I see the role of HR  taking a more strategic role, in driving organizational growth and transformation.

Key areas of focus will include but not be limited to:

• Employee Experience and Engagement:
  HR will prioritize creating a positive employee experience by ensuring well-being and adapting to the expectations of the modern workforce to remain competitive.
• Talent Management:
  Attracting, developing, and retaining top talent will remain a cornerstone of HR’s mission.
• Change Management:
  Supporting the organization in navigating change successfully will be critical to maintaining resilience and alignment during periods of transformation.
• Agility:
  In a VUCA (volatility, uncertainty, complexity, ambiguity) world, HR must ensure the organization evolves in step with the rapidly changing environment, remaining flexible and forward-thinking.

By focusing on these areas, HR can play a pivotal role in helping the company tackle  industry challenges and opportunities.

Work-Life Balance

What are some strategies you use personally to maintain your own work-life balance, and how might these inspire others?

Maintaining my own work-life balance is essential, and I have developed a few strategies that help me stay energized and focused.

Regular Exercise: I make time for activities like jogging (when the weather allows), badminton, and going to the gym. These routines give me energy, help clear my mind, and keep me grounded.

Planning and Organization: I organize my schedule to ensure I can stick to these personal plans that keep me balanced. I only deviate from them in case of an emergency, which helps me maintain consistency.

Delegation and Empowerment: I delegate tasks wherever possible and empower my team to take ownership. This allows me to truly disconnect during holidays or when I’m out of the office, knowing things are in capable hands.

Setting Boundaries: While busy periods are inevitable (I do speak right now having a very high workload), they should remain exceptions. If they become the norm, it is a sign that something needs to be adjusted.

By staying disciplined in these practices, I can maintain a healthy balance that enables me to perform at my best. I hope these strategies inspire others to prioritize their well-being and find what works for them.