Manu’s journey and role

Can you tell us about your background and how you ended up at gridX?

My path to gridX wasn’t a straight line – it was a rewarding detour! When I first started, I didn’t come from the energy sector; my background is in business psychology. After a traineeship at a large German fashion company, I moved into food retail.

The real turning point came when a former colleague, who had started working as part of gridX’s P&C team, reached out about an open strategy and business operations role. Her enthusiasm for the company was contagious. After one conversation, I was impressed by the role, the mission and the people. I decided to move from North Rhine-Westphalia to Munich – even though living in Munich had never been on my radar. Looking back, it was one of the best career decisions I’ve ever made. 

What excites you about working in strategy and operations?

What excites me most is the diversity of the role. My work is largely project-based, meaning no two days are the same. I’m constantly adapting to new challenges and learning new skills.

This variety keeps things stimulating. It forces me to grow quickly and think strategically. Sometimes I’m given projects outside my comfort zone, but that’s what makes this kind of strategy and operations job so fulfilling. Growth only happens when you stretch yourself. For me, staying comfortable is boring.

Working at a scale-up: Life at gridX 

What makes working at gridX different from your past experiences?

In my career, I’ve mainly worked in large corporations and consultancies. While that gave me a solid foundation, I missed the speed, agility and ownership that comes with working at a scale-up.

At gridX, everyone is driven, collaborative and passionate about making an impact. Hierarchies don’t matter – ideas do. If you see a better way to do something, you’re encouraged to take initiative and make it happen.

What also stands out is our strong team culture. We have regular events, workshops and offsites that help us connect as a company. Flexibility is another huge plus:  whether you’re working remotely, in the office or on a workation, what matters is that you deliver and support your team. That level of trust and autonomy is rare.

Impact and collaboration

What small changes make a big difference in operations?

It depends on the process, but I see three consistent levers:

1. AI and automation: There are many tools that can streamline your workflows quickly and cost-effectively. My advice: experiment, make mistakes and learn. Identify internal “AI Ambassadors” who enjoy driving change and can champion these improvements.
2. Communication: Even the best process fails if people don’t understand it. Clear communication is key and everyone should know what’s expected, and where to find help. You can never communicate too much.
3. Simplify instead of optimize: Don’t just ask how to improve a process – ask which processes you can eliminate entirely. Simplifying operations is often the fastest route to efficiency.

Challenges and key learnings

What’s been your most memorable project at gridX?

I’ve led many cross-functional projects, from defining our company strategy and revising the OKR system to improving governance and IT processes. One project that stands out was preparing for a customer audit. It showed how strongly our teams collaborate under pressure. The gridX spirit was on full display.

What challenges have you faced in your role?

Coming from big corporations, I was used to rigid structures and defined processes. At a scale-up, things evolve fast, and many systems are still being built. That can be challenging, but it’s also an opportunity to shape the company from the inside out.

As a strategy and business operations manager, it’s important to keep track of dependencies, teams and priorities – all while staying flexible. The market changes daily, so adaptability is key.

Work-life balance and advice

What do you enjoy outside of work?

I’ve been living in Munich for about 1.5 years now and love exploring the outdoors. I unwind through hiking, cycling and trying new fitness trends like Reformer Pilates or Paddle. When indoors, I paint – some of my artwork even hangs in our flat.

What advice would you give to aspiring strategy and operations professionals?

My biggest piece of advice: stop overthinking and start acting.

If you’re wondering how to get a strategy and operations job, focus on curiosity, adaptability and connection. In this field, you see the entire company picture. Use that to build strong relationships across teams. Don’t aim for perfection; aim for progress. Try things, learn fast and adjust quickly.

The fastest way to fail is by moving too slowly. The fastest way to succeed is by acting decisively.

Ready to take the next step?

At gridX, we’re always looking for proactive, adaptable people who love solving complex problems. If you’re ready to take on new challenges and join a fast-growing team, explore our open positions.