Behind the Scenes in Bludenz with Plant Director Kübra Katmer

Thursday, November 20, 2025

Please introduce yourself.

My name is Kübra Katmer, and I have been the Plant Director in Bludenz, Austria, since March 2024. Having previously explored various roles in manufacturing and supply chains in the pharmaceutical industry, I had the ambition to work for a global consumer goods leader, and the opportunity to challenge and grow myself presented itself through Mondelēz. I was especially happy to become part of a company whose products I also love and consume!

What can you tell us about the manufacturing plant in Bludenz?

In Bludenz, we have a team of around 300 incredible colleagues, working together with the same motivation and purpose: to make snacking right.

Our plant is a chocolate factory that produces iconic brands such as Milka, Cadbury, and Suchard for various markets internationally. One incredible aspect of our plant is its history: we have been producing chocolate in some form since 1887, and we are extremely proud of this growing legacy and our place in the history of Bludenz.

This long history does not stop us from looking ahead, and we are always exploring ways to prepare for the future. One recent project was our investment in green energy. In 2024, we invested 5 million euros in heat pumps. These pumps will enable us to reduce our gas consumption by up to 65%, and I am proud to have contributed to this meaningful project to reduce our carbon footprint and build a sustainable future for our plant.

How would you describe the working environment in the plant?

The working environment in Bludenz is extremely dynamic, which is typical of manufacturing operations. Every day brings different challenges to be solved, which can often arise suddenly and unexpectedly, such as if a delivery from a supplier is delayed. This means that it is important to remain flexible, think on your feet, and resolve issues together. This level of teamwork, both internally and with our customers, is extremely rewarding, and it is the people who make our plant so unique. We are a really close-knit group, and it is easy to feel at home here, especially against the beautiful backdrop of the Austrian Alps.

What is your biggest motivation as a female leader in a plant?

My biggest motivation as a female leader is to bring more young female talents to the operational area and to support them in unlocking their potential. This is especially important to me in the case of other female leaders, as women are typically underrepresented in leadership roles, in addition to manufacturing more broadly.

For this reason, mentoring and career development are two significant topics for us in Bludenz, and we strive to create an environment in which everyone can thrive. We are always excited to welcome anyone and everyone who wants to join our teams and make a difference with us!

What are some of the challenges you face in your role?

The workforce today is multi-generational, and we need to make sure we are appealing to the next generations to promote careers in manufacturing.

Roles in our plant are extremely exciting, and our working environment offers opportunities to learn and grow every day. However, the most important mission we have is to try to touch the consumer’s life by reliably and safely making the snacks they love. We rise to this task with a positive attitude and a can-do mindset, working together to meet targets and deliver our products as promised.

What is your favourite memory from your time in Bludenz so far?

Our teams in Bludenz have performed very well in recent audits and manufacturing excellence programmes. I am extremely proud of how our plant has risen to the challenges thrown at it. However, my favourite moments are always the ones in which we build our positive work culture by celebrating our successes together. From marking milestones in safety to achieving manufacturing certifications, I will always cherish the memories of eating an ice cream in the sun, surrounded by mountains, with 300 smiling faces. The small things really make a difference and make Bludenz such a special place to work!