Connecting Teams, Driving Innovation: Teresa's Impact at ZF
Maria Teresa Dolores Sotomayor, known as “Tete,” has had a remarkable journey at ZF. Originally from Mexico City and raised in San Luis Potosí, she joined ZF in June 2023 as a Digital Transformation Agent for Operations after working as a supplier at Thyssenkrupp. Her move to ZF allowed her to experience corporate digital transformation firsthand.
Driving Digital Transformation and Collaboration Across the Globe
As a DTA, Teresa plays a critical role in ZF's NextGenERP initiative, focusing on digitalizing and standardizing business processes across the company. Her job involves connecting with various teams, guiding key users, and ensuring data quality and transparency. This role is perfect for anyone who loves a challenge and enjoys collaborating with a global team. Teresa loves the opportunity to learn about different products and processes across all ZF divisions. The chance to connect with professionals from around the world and gain exposure to new ideas and technologies is an incredible part of her job. She also appreciates traveling to different ZF plants for on-site workshops and tests, which provides invaluable hands-on experience and helps her understand production processes while connecting with people from different cultures.
A significant part of a DTA's role, Teresa explains, is communication. "I would say that 70% of our day is spent on meetings. As DTAs, we are the bridge between the business and the project," she shares. This involves cascading information up and down the organizational chain, scheduling and attending calls, aligning on template standards, following up on open topics, addressing concerns from key users, and guiding them in providing necessary data. The DTA position is like a joker card in the roll-out game—we fit into all teams, connecting with key users, other domain DTAs, the Build Team, Project Managers, Configuration Factory Team, PLM Team, and DMF. As my job title suggests, I’m the agent driving ZF toward next-generation mobility through operational digitalization."
Embracing Challenges with a Growth and Business Process Mindset: Keys to Success as a DTA
To succeed as a DTA, a business process mindset is crucial. It’s not just about focusing on a specific domain; the system functions based on end-to-end scenarios where all domains are interconnected. This means that teamwork and collaboration are vital for the success of the entire project. DTAs must see beyond their immediate tasks and understand how their role contributes to the broader goals of the ERP roll-out team.
Additionally, a growth mindset is essential. With the project still evolving and many aspects under development, DTAs must embrace challenges with a positive attitude and be proactive in finding solutions. It’s important to be adaptable, continuously learn, and not shy away from making suggestions or proposing new ideas. Being part of the team means being ready to step up, make your voice heard, and support others to achieve collective success.
Overcoming Challenges and Seizing Growth Opportunities: Why the DTA Role at ZF Could Be Your Next Career Move
“However, the DTA role isn’t without its challenges. Working across different time zones can make scheduling meetings difficult, often leading to early mornings or late nights. Additionally, communicating complex technical information in a second language can be challenging”, Teresa shares. Despite these hurdles, she finds the role rewarding.
The challenges push her to grow, learn new skills, and make a real impact at ZF.
Teresa encourages potential applicants to be open to learning, ask questions, and embrace new challenges. This role is ideal for those who want to step up their professional careers, learn about various products and processes, and build a global network. Don’t worry if you feel you don’t have enough experience—everyone is constantly learning, and this job is all about taking that first step and growing from there.
If you’re excited about the chance to learn, grow, and make a difference in a global company, consider joining Teresa and the team at ZF. You’ll get to travel, work with cutting-edge technologies, and be part of a supportive community that values growth and collaboration. Ready to take your career to the next level? Apply now!
Embracing Growth and Adaptation
If you’re excited about the chance to learn, grow, and make a difference in a global company, consider joining Teresa and the team at ZF. You’ll get to travel, work with cutting-edge technologies, and be part of a supportive community that values growth and collaboration. Ready to take your career to the next level? Apply now!
