From Intern to Director: Sharat Menon's inspiring journey at Hapag-Lloyd

Growing up in Kuwait, Sharat Menon was an ambitious student with a drive to excel. After high school, he pursued his passion for engineering, enrolling at Manipal Institute of Technology in India for a degree in mechatronics and a minor in business management. During his studies, his family relocated to Dubai, where Sharat soon began his career as an intern at Hapag-Lloyd. This January, after six years at Hapag-Lloyd, Sharat will step into the role of Director of Commercial Steering and Allocation Management at Hapag-Lloyd’s headquarters in Hamburg.

Sharat’s determination and dedication have been evident from the start. “I’ve always wanted to grow with Hapag-Lloyd,” he reflects. "Even though, my aspired opportunities didnt materialize immediately, the motivation and support from like minded colleagues and my mentors, kept my passion alive. " Sharat’s path wasn’t always smooth—he needed to get up and keep trying, when his initial pursuits of desired roles didnt lead to fruition. But his resilience kept him going. “Sure, I could have thought, ‘Maybe it’s time to look elsewhere,’ but I felt strongly about building my career within this company,” Sharat recalls.

Starting as a customer service intern, Sharat quickly made an impression in his ability to connect with key stakehoders and focus on breaking down complex issues. He became a Sales and Marketing Executive for 3 years in Dubai. His motivation was further augmented, by his mentors who guided him regularly and gave him advise on how to approach the daily complexities and challenges with his personal and career development. These led to fruition, when he transitioned to a fitting role as a Performance Manager at the company’s headquarters. The move was monumental: a new role, a new language, and an entirely new culture awaited him in Germany. Balancing his role in GNP Performance Management, where he helped shape performance KPIs for global accounts, he also began learning German and pursued a master’s degree at HSBA in Hamburg.

Sharat’s adaptability and skill in streamlining processes for Hapag-Lloyd’s sales teams quickly led to recognition. Promoted to Senior Manager, he assumed responsibility for leading the performance team, providing essential insights on global sales and KPIs to senior management. He found particular satisfaction in this role: “When I see how our work helps our sales specialists achieve their targets, it’s extremely rewarding,” he says.

On January 1, 2025, Sharat will officially assume his new role as Director of Commercial Steering and Allocation Management. In this position, he will oversee the development of an allocation management product aligned with Hapag-Lloyd’s commercial vision, ensuring the company achieves its commercial targets worldwide. Sharat credits much of his success to early goal-setting and a supportive network of mentors. “With a clear goal and supportive mentors, anyone can carve their own path. Passion for what you do is essential; it makes the journey enjoyable, leads to better results, and creates a stronger team dynamic,” he advises.

Today, Sharat’s story embodies the power of persistence and passion. He now holds a master’s degree, speaks fluent German, commutes regularly to visit his wife in the Netherlands, and is a testament to how determination and the right attitude can open doors worldwide—from an internship in Dubai to a directorship in Hamburg.