Career
Deffner & Johann is a leading global supplier of materials, tools, and equipment for restoration, monument preservation, and art handling. Our customers include renowned museums in Germany and abroad, public and private archives, restoration studios, craft businesses specializing in monument preservation, artists, universities, and research institutions. Deffner & Johann was founded in 1880. We are a family business with 15 employees based in Röthlein near Schweinfurt. For over 145 years, we have made it our mission to provide the most relevant products of the highest quality for restoration and monument preservation.
Working Student/Intern (m/f/d) – Business Development & Operations (6 months)
Entrepreneurship from day one:
As part of our strategic diversification, we are building an internationally oriented startup. The newly established company develops and manufactures highly specialised products for the restoration of artworks and the preservation of cultural heritage worldwide. In this early phase, the focus lies on designing and implementing efficient international supply and go-to-market structures, supporting product development and quality assurance, and building a lean organisational setup.
Hands-on – not just watching:
You will work directly with two experienced founders, gaining first-hand insight into the do’s and don’ts of building a company from scratch. From an early stage, you will take on responsibility and have the opportunity to demonstrate your organisational skills, analytical thinking and ability to execute in your own projects.
Your Responsibilities
Market & Business Development
- Contribute to the development of an international go-to-market strategy
- Conduct market, competitor, and target group analyses
- Support the identification and development of sales partners
Operations & Supply Chain
- Assist in the selection and coordination of international manufacturers and suppliers
- Support the planning and documentation of production, procurement and logistics processes, including their integration into a cloud-based ERP system
- Analyse cost structures and identify optimisation potential across the value chain
Organisation & Process Development
- Contribute to building lean and efficient processes and organisational structures
- Prepare process documentation and project overviews – with a pragmatic, non-bureaucratic approach
- Support the implementation of digital tools and structured ways of working across time zones and cultures
Projects & Responsibility
- Independently manage smaller projects
- Support the founders in day-to-day operations
- Prepare presentations, analyses and decision-making materials
Your Profile
Academic Background
- Ongoing or completed degree in Business Administration, Industrial Engineering or an Engineering discipline (e.g. Mechanical Engineering, Production Engineering, Materials/Metals) with a business focus
- Interest in international markets, supply chain management, production processes or building a business
- Initial practical experience (e.g. internships, projects or working student roles) is advantageous
IT & Analytical Skills
- Very strong Excel skills (data analysis, modelling, structured evaluation, pivot tables)
- Confident use of digital tools and strong affinity for AI applications (e.g. for research, data processing, automation or workflow support)
- Structured, data-driven working style and understanding of efficient digital processes
Languages
- Excellent English skills (working language)
- Additional languages are a plus, particularly French, Swedish
Personal Qualities
- Strong intrinsic motivation and genuine interest in working in a startup environment
- Can-do attitude with a pragmatic, solution-oriented approach and willingness to take responsibility
- High level of initiative, independence and execution capability
- Analytical and structured, yet hands-on way of working
- Flexibility, willingness to learn and ability to quickly grasp new topics
- Strong organisational skills and clear, professional communication
What We Offer
- Opportunity to contribute to building an international startup from the ground up
- Direct collaboration with and mentoring by two experienced founders
- Short decision-making paths and significant scope for contribution
- High level of responsibility and a steep learning curve
- Practical application of academic knowledge and deep insights into entrepreneurial decision-making
Conditions
- Duration: approx. 6 months
- Start date: by agreement
- Employment type: Working student or intern
- Location: Röthlein (Germany) / partly remote possible (by arrangement)