Piraveen Sivarasa

Dear Piru, who are you? Please introduce yourself briefly.

My name is Piraveen Sivarasa, Piru for short. I am 27 years old and have been working for Denner, Switzerland's leading discounter, since 2021. I grew up in the beautiful canton of Bern. That's why I completed my education at the University of Bern, majoring in business administration and minoring in economics and law.

My career in retail began while I was still at secondary school. Ten years ago, I started as a student assistant at Migros Aare, where I discovered my passion for retail and food. I ended up spending seven years at Migros before completing my degree at university. It was clear to me from the outset that I wanted to stay in retail. It was important to me not to lose touch with sales. Denner offered me the perfect trainee programme.

What do you do in our store? And why did you decide to complete the trainee programme with us?

Today, I am a sales manager and now look after 14 Denner stores. The job of sales manager is very varied. Among other things, I am responsible for the personnel and technical aspects of these 14 stores, which have a total of around 100 employees.

My area of responsibility also includes the financial success of the stores – in other words, ensuring that all budget targets are met. This includes personnel costs, stock levels and inventories. I am also responsible for compliance with all legal and internal requirements.

As I mentioned, I knew right from the start of my academic training that I wanted to become a sales manager. That's when I came across this trainee programme at Denner.

One of the reasons I chose the trainee programme at Denner was because the job is very varied and no two days are the same. The trainee programme at Denner is divided into three parts: familiarisation with the branch, knowledge transfer among peers and taking on a junior area of responsibility. I really liked this structure because thorough familiarisation was very important to me and it allowed me to learn everything from the ground up.

What skills were you able to acquire or further develop during your time as a trainee? What did you take away from the experience?

I learned a lot during my time as a trainee – among other things, I became aware of the importance of team leadership and communication. I learned that you have to pay attention to various aspects. First of all, it is crucial to communicate clear goals and expectations so that all employees know what is expected of them. I also learned to recognise the different skills within the team and to use them to strengthen the team.

The trainee programme also taught me that time management is very important. As a result, I am now able to keep a cool head even in stressful situations.

What projects are you currently working on at Denner?

Denner is currently modernising its store concept with the "Focus 4.0" project. This involves redesigning both the store layout and the work processes. The first store in my district will be renovated in April 2024. Preparations have to be made in advance. I get to be creative, help design the store layout and respond to the individual needs of the stores. Supporting employees as they transition to the new processes is also part of this project and falls within my remit, as does monitoring.

What has been your highlight so far?

My personal highlight is the people at Denner. During my induction phase, I got to meet so many new people and learn something from each of them. I also really enjoy challenging and encouraging employees who show potential and motivation, helping them to take the next step in their careers.

Another important highlight for me at Denner is that I was given a lot of responsibility at a young age and was trusted to do a good job.

What advice would you give to future university graduates?

It is important to be open to new experiences and willing to learn and develop continuously. Be flexible and adaptable, as you will be working in different areas and situations. If you want to complete a varied and exciting trainee programme, then you have come to the right place.
With us, you will have the opportunity to take on responsibility and make decisions at a young age. It is also important to develop good interpersonal skills in order to work effectively with different personalities. And if you decide to join this trainee programme, enjoy your time as a trainee, because it will fly by!