Ecaterina Puricel
Zurich
Summary
Passionate leader and manager with 15+ years of experience in various industries. Keen strategic thinker who is able to see beyond immediate challenges and envision long-term objectives. Collaborative mindset, creative problem-solving skills, change leadership abilities, results-driven focus, and commitment to continuous learning.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Technology and Innovation Expert
Hightech Zentrum Aargau AG
Brugg
03.2024 - Current
- Consulting for SMEs on technology issues and innovation processes
- Bridge builder between industry and research
- Consulting services in the field of new technologies
- Identifcation of suitable research partners and funding instruments
- Support for SMEs in the development of products, processes, and services through the use of modern technologies
- Providing an extensive network for implementation
Innovation Manager
BBC Group, Behr Bircher Cellpack BBC AG
Zurich
06.2019 - 12.2023
- Program Manager 'Digital Customer Interface': Developed and implemented program strategy at a group level, program lead (orchestrating milestones, steering committee, internal, and external project leaders and partners)
- Leading strategic innovation projects (e.g., AI-based, digitalization)
- Enabler for external cooperation and partnerships (companies, universities, start-ups, etc.)
- Identification of technology and social trends that will impact the group
- Project reporting (achievement, deliverables, milestones) to steering committee and board of directors.
Head of worldwide IT systems
EMS Chemie AG
Domat/Ems
02.2017 - 03.2018
- Responsibility of managing and maintaining the IT systems of the international subsidiaries such as ERP systems, workflows, CRM system, mobile applications
- Driving change through strategic goals setting and roadmaps
- Supervision and guidance of 4 FTE
- Leading large scale strategic IT projects
- Controlling of budget and cost center
Research Associate
ETH Zurich, D-MTEC
Zurich
03.2013 - 12.2016
- Employed at the Chair of Entrepreneurship (Prof. em. Dr. Pius Baschera)
- Leading research projects in the field of corporate entrepreneurship and innovation in collaboration with Clariant, ABB Technology Ventures and Sulzer Ltd (including CTI and SNF funded projects with regular reporting on milestones, deliverables, and financial status)
- Organization of workshops and roundtables on strategy and innovation related topics
- Presentation of research results to senior management and at international conferences
- Teaching in an interdisciplinary lecture ('Discovering Management') with over 110 students, coordination, and discussion of case studies with ABB Switzerland Ltd and Swiss International Air Lines Ltd
- Supervision and tutoring of master theses in collaboration with SBB, Tecan, Georg Fischer, Axenta AG, Hitachi Zosen Innova and the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI)
- Supervision and guidance for junior research assistants
Area Sales Manager
ABB Switzerland Ltd
Baden
06.2011 - 02.2013
- Sales Manager for retrofit solutions of distributed control systems (application in power plants)/BU Power Generation
- Responsible for Spain and South Americas
- Negotiation with local sales units in Spain, South Americas, Asia, and the Middle East
- Technical and commercial offer preparation
- Coordination of tendering team consisting of sales, engineering, and suppliers
- Preparation of sales and marketing documentation
- Risk review manager in the local service organization
Swiss Trainee Program
ABB Switzerland Ltd
Sant Quirze del Vallès
10.2010 - 05.2011
- Assistant to the LBU Controller Robotics
- Monthly closing tasks (e.g., income statement, balance sheet, networking capital)
- R&D controlling and OpX reporting
- Preparation of audit documentation and coordination of external auditors
- Project close-outs
- Financial analysis
- Working language: Spanish
Swiss Trainee Program
ABB Switzerland Ltd
Turgi
04.2010 - 09.2010
- Project manager HOT (Hands-On-Training), BU Excitation Systems
- Development of a new training concept for the mechanical and electrical engineering
- Definition of the project specification and set-up
- Reporting on project status and milestones to steering committee
- Coordination of the Global Execution Center in India for the creation of training documents
Teaching Assistant
ETH Zurich, D-MTEC
Zurich
09.2007 - 09.2009
- Junior teaching and exam assistant for the courses 'Accounting for Managers', and 'Financial Management' at the Chair of Entrepreneurial Risk
Production Trainee
ABB Switzerland Ltd
Zurich
09.2008 - 06.2009
- Implementation of a new IT system in production, BU High Current Systems
- Project management, planning, conceptualization, and testing with customers
- Reporting on project status and milestones to steering committee
Consultant
Strategic Knowledge Group
Zurich
03.2008 - 09.2008
- Contributed to customer projects in strategy and organizational structure
- Research on specific topics in the field of organizational studies
- Internal knowledge management
Project Management Trainee
Sulzer Metco
Wohlen
11.2006 - 02.2007
- Trainee at the CS Medical (today Oerlikon Metco)
- Project management and planning
- Validation of a cleaning station after GMP guidelines
- Coordination of internal stakeholders and external suppliers
- Reporting to senior management
- Testing and analysis of samples
Undergraduate Research Assistant
ETH Zurich, D-MATL
Zurich
04.2005 - 08.2006
- Planning, conducting, analysis and documentation of rheological experiments at the Institute of Polymers, Polymer Physics
Education
Certificate - Leading strategic projects
Oxford University, Said Business School
Oxford, UK01-2022
Ph.D. - Corporate Entrepreneurship and Innovation
ETH Zurich, D-MTEC
Zurich, Switzerland01-2016
One-week intensive workshop - Designing Research on Entrepreneurship as Method (DREAM)
Institute of Technology Management & Economics, Chalmers
Göteborg, Sweden01-2015
Master of Science - Management, Technology and Economics
ETH Zurich, D-MTEC
Zurich, Switzerland01-2010
Bachelor of Science - Material Science
ETH Zurich, D-MATL
Zurich, Switzerland01-2007
Skills
- Communication
- Leadership
- Analytical Thinking
- Creative Problem-Solving
- Collaboration Skills
- Project Management
- Qualitative Methods
- Design Thinking
- Strategic Change Implementation
- Organizational Skills
Hobbies and Interests
- Contemporary and educational literature
- Wine
- Cultures and travelling
- Pilates
Personal Information
- Date of Birth: 09/13/84
- Nationality: Swiss / German
Languages
German
First Language
English
Proficient (C2)
C2
Romanian
Advanced (C1)
C1
Spanish
Advanced (C1)
C1
French
Advanced (C1)
C1
Turkish
Beginner
A1
Italian
Beginner
A1
Timeline
Technology and Innovation Expert
Hightech Zentrum Aargau AG
03.2024 - Current
Innovation Manager
BBC Group, Behr Bircher Cellpack BBC AG
06.2019 - 12.2023
Head of worldwide IT systems
EMS Chemie AG
02.2017 - 03.2018
Research Associate
ETH Zurich, D-MTEC
03.2013 - 12.2016
Area Sales Manager
ABB Switzerland Ltd
06.2011 - 02.2013
Swiss Trainee Program
ABB Switzerland Ltd
10.2010 - 05.2011
Swiss Trainee Program
ABB Switzerland Ltd
04.2010 - 09.2010
Production Trainee
ABB Switzerland Ltd
09.2008 - 06.2009
Consultant
Strategic Knowledge Group
03.2008 - 09.2008
Teaching Assistant
ETH Zurich, D-MTEC
09.2007 - 09.2009
Project Management Trainee
Sulzer Metco
11.2006 - 02.2007
Undergraduate Research Assistant
ETH Zurich, D-MATL
04.2005 - 08.2006
Certificate - Leading strategic projects
Oxford University, Said Business School
Ph.D. - Corporate Entrepreneurship and Innovation
ETH Zurich, D-MTEC
One-week intensive workshop - Designing Research on Entrepreneurship as Method (DREAM)
Institute of Technology Management & Economics, Chalmers
Master of Science - Management, Technology and Economics
ETH Zurich, D-MTEC
Bachelor of Science - Material Science
ETH Zurich, D-MATL
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