From Trainee to Leader: Mart Wolters’ Journey Through Hilti’s Outperformer Program

What the Outperformer Program Really Looks Like at Hilti 

When people hear “global trainee program,” they often imagine presentations, networking events, and a few rotations across the business. While those elements are certainly part of the experience, Hilti’s Outperformer Program is far more challenging and ultimately far more rewarding. 

In just over two years with Hilti, I progressed from an Outperformer trainee to leading the Toronto National Distribution Center, a 100,000-square-foot operations hub that supports 70% of Hilti Canada’s business volume. That level of responsibility reflects the program’s core purpose, accelerating leadership development through real business impact. 

The journey begins well before day one. I applied in May 2024 and moved through multiple interview stages before being selected for Hilti’s assessment center in November 2024. Over two intensive days, candidates complete a range of individual and group exercises, including presentations, business cases, and interviews with senior leaders. The process is intentionally rigorous and designed to evaluate not only technical skills but also leadership potential, adaptability, and performance in unfamiliar situations. 

The program itself is structured around three rotations, all in core business functions. I was accepted into the logistics track which meant my rotations would be in materials management, warehouse operations, and transportation management. 

These rotations provide broad exposure to different areas of the supply chain and culminated in a final strategic project where participants take ownership of a significant business challenge. For me, that final project took me to Canada and became the launchpad for my first leadership role. 

Looking back, it is difficult to imagine another program that would have accelerated my growth to this extent, both professionally and personally. What surprised me most was not just the speed of development, but the level of ownership and trust given early on. 

Mart and his team coming together for a BBQ to celebrate teamwork, transitions, and new beginnings.

Kickstarting the Journey: Building Experience Across Functions and Countries 

My journey started in Germany, where I rotated through several core logistics functions across the business. I began in Oberhausen, Germany, gaining exposure to transportation operations. From there, I moved into warehouse operations, where I learned firsthand how operational excellence is built through process discipline, teamwork, and strong leadership on the floor. Later, I relocated to Kaufering, Germany, to begin a rotation in materials management. This experience gave me a broader understanding of supply chain planning and cross-functional collaboration. 

Each rotation brought a new environment, team dynamic, and set of challenges. More importantly, every role pushed me well outside of my comfort zone. 

One of the biggest misconceptions about accelerated programs is that development happens mainly in a classroom. The Outperformer program is different because it is designed to provide real-world exposure across a wide range of situations.  

Some of my most meaningful learning moments came when I had to adapt quickly, make decisions under pressure, and lead through uncertainty 

I experienced this firsthand during my warehouse rotation in Oberhausen, where I had the opportunity to lead a team of 30 employees during multiple weekend shifts throughout Hilti Germany's annual Winterwochen (Winter Weeks), the company's peak season. It was one of the first times I was fully exposed to the realities of operational leadership in such a fast-paced, high-volume environment. 

The experience was challenging, demanding, and at times exhausting, but it accelerated my growth significantly. I quickly learned how to build trust with my team and remain steady when operations did not go according to plan. There were many moments when I had to make important decisions with limited time and information. Looking back, those weekends were some of the most valuable learning experiences of the entire program. 

After 18 months of cross-functional rotations throughout Germany, I relocated to Canada to complete the final strategic project of the Outperformer program. Alongside my responsibilities as an outbound supervisor, I led a high-impact initiative focused on improving shopfloor management across Hilti Canada’s distribution network. 

This project led me to my current role at the Toronto National Distribution center where I lead a team of 32 team members and leaders. The distribution center supports customers across the country and plays a critical role in Hilti Canada’s supply chain network. The responsibility is significant, but so is the opportunity to create meaningful impact. 

One thing that has stood out to me throughout this journey is that leadership at Hilti is not defined by hierarchy. It is defined by ownership. 

Mart with Fabian Kuhfuß, Head of Warehouse at the Regional Distribution Center in Oberhausen during Winterwochen

Driving Operational Impact Through Automation 

From early in the program, I was trusted to lead initiatives that created visible operational impact, including an automation and process optimization initiative within warehouse operations. 

At the regional distribution center in Oberhausen, Germany, which processes more than 1 million deliveries annually, my colleague Lars Schur and I identified a significant opportunity to improve efficiency and reduce bottlenecks in the packing process. Working closely with Cognex, a global leader in machine vision and industrial scanning technology, we helped implement and optimize a hands-free scanning solution designed to streamline workflows in a high-volume environment. 

The results were significant. Following implementation, overall end-to-end packing scan completion rates improved by 10%. This increased process reliability and efficiency throughout the warehouse’s operations.  

What made the project especially impactful was the realization that even the strongest systems and processes are only effective when teams are engaged, involved, and supported through change. 

That experience has stayed with me throughout my time at Hilti and continues to shape how I approach leadership today. 

Reaching the Summit: The IMD Experience in Switzerland 

One of the most memorable parts of the Outperformer program came toward the end of the traineeship, after nearly all rotations had been completed. At that point, my cohort of about 20 Outperformers was brought back together at the IMD campus in Lausanne, Switzerland. Spending a week with the same group I started the journey with, now preparing to step into leadership roles around the world, was an eye-opening experience. 

What made the experience especially meaningful was its full-circle nature. Over the course of the program, each participant had grown individually through different rotations, countries, challenges, and functions. Coming back together created a unique opportunity to reflect on that shared journey while also preparing for the next chapter of our careers as future leaders within Hilti. 

A particularly memorable part of the week was spending time with Executive Board member Felix Hess, who shared candid perspectives on Hilti’s strategic priorities, leadership, finance, and career development. Those conversations, combined with insights from IMD faculty and an open cohort dynamic, made the experience rewarding. 

The experience went far beyond traditional classroom learning. The program pushed us to reflect deeply on ourselves, how we show up within teams, how others perceive our leadership style, and what it truly takes to build high-performing teams. Some of the most valuable moments came through group exercises and discussions that challenged us to think differently about leadership and collaboration. 

The Outperformer program challenges you continuously, but it also provides the mentorship, exposure and support needed to grow faster than expected. At Hilti, you are surrounded by leaders who actively invest in your development, and teams that trust you to contribute. 

Mart's Outperformer class in front of global HQ in Liechtenstein.

Engaging in the Community and Creating Impact Beyond the Workplace 

Another experience that left a lasting impact on me was the Summit in Bosnia and Herzegovina through the Hilti Foundation. Hilti places a strong emphasis on engaging beyond business, and the Outperformer program reflects this commitment. 

Together with colleagues from across the organization, we had the opportunity to support local communities and families in need by helping build and improve homes. It was a humbling experience that shifted the focus away from titles, roles and day-to-day business challenges, and instead reinforced the importance of teamwork, perspective and creating meaningful impact beyond the workplace. 

One of the most impactful parts of the summit was seeing firsthand how meaningful even a relatively small contribution can be for families and communities facing difficult circumstances. During the week, our team helped build a home for Oliver and Danijela and Danijela’s mother, in Bratunac, Bosnia and Herzegovina. After years of displacement, financial hardship, and living in rented accommodation, the family moved closer to having a permanent home of their own. Seeing the tangible impact that a single week of collective effort could have on a family’s future gave me a different perspective on purpose and the type of culture Hilti continues to foster globally. 

What stood out most throughout the week was seeing people from different countries, functions, and backgrounds come together with a shared purpose. Experiences like the Bosnia Summit serve as a reminder that the Outperformer journey is not only about accelerating professionally, but also about growing personally, building meaningful relationships, and developing a global network of colleagues and friends from around the world. 

Team photo in Bosnia during an Engaged Beyond Business trip during the Outperformer program. 

Advice for Future Outperformers 

For anyone considering the Outperformer program, my advice is simple: embrace discomfort early. 

Opportunities come quickly, and growth often happens in moments when you feel stretched beyond your current capabilities. The people who get the most out of the program are those who take ownership, stay curious, and lean into challenges rather than avoid them. 

The pace is fast, expectations are high, and the learning curve never really stops. That is exactly what makes the experience so impactful. 

Looking back, one of the biggest lessons the Outperformer journey taught me is that you are rarely fully ready for the next step, and that is completely OK. Some of the most meaningful growth comes from stepping into challenges before you feel fully prepared and learning along the way.

Explore Opportunities at Hilti

At Hilti, we are committed to creating opportunities for our team members to connect to one another and develop meaningful and long-lasting careers with impact. Learn more and explore our opportunities in North America and worldwide here: Hilti Careers | Canada