From Geisenheim to GEA
From beverage technology to global engineering. Five careers, one starting point and a partnership that made it possible.
Where education meets industry
GEA Hilge in Bodenheim and Hochschule Geisenheim share a common belief that the best engineers understand processes from end to end. Through their partnership, students gain hands-on experience with real GEA technology integrated directly into teaching and training. This practical, industry-focused approach prepares graduates for global careers across food, beverage, and dairy production in over 150 countries.
The shared journey
Five paths one foundation
"Everything that flows through our pumps, I worked with hands-on during my studies. That helps enormously in customer conversations."
Sven Horter, Service Product Manager — Hygienic Pumps
Education: Beverage Technology, Geisenheim
At GEA since April 2020
Sven grew up on a family winery in Rhineland-Palatinate and studied Beverage Technology in Geisenheim — a background that proved directly relevant when he joined GEA in 2020. Every product that moves through a hygienic pump, he had already worked with hands-on during his studies.
Today he manages GEA's global service portfolio for hygienic pumps, defining strategy, developing service concepts and working with international partners. The process knowledge from Geisenheim still shapes how he approaches every customer conversation.
"My studies taught me to think about processes across industries. That is the only way to truly understand applications."
Oliver Hader, Product Sales Manager — Hygienic Pumps
Education: Beverage Technology, Geisenheim
At GEA since 13 years
Oliver trained as a fruit juice technologist before studying Beverage Technology at Geisenheim. After several years in food production, he joined Hilge, later acquired by GEA Group and has been with us for 13 years.
As Product Sales Manager, he supports regions and key accounts worldwide on the selection and design of hygienic pumps. His cross-sector process understanding, built across brewing, dairy and food production, is what allows him to advise customers across very different industries. He continues to give back to the field, serving on the examination board for fruit juice technologists at Geisenheim's technical centre.
"My studies primarily taught me to understand interdependencies. That is exactly what matters in daily work."
Juliane Krug, Product Manager — Sales & Service Tools and Global Pricing
Education: Beverage Technology, Geisenheim
At GEA since 19 years
Juliane grew up in Bodenheim, where GEA Hilge is located, and joined the company directly after graduating from Geisenheim in 2006. What began in sales has evolved over 19 years into one of the more cross-functional roles in the division.
She now sits at the intersection of sales, engineering and digitalisation, responsible for global pricing, sales tools and service calculations. The breadth of that role, she says, reflects exactly what Geisenheim teaches: to understand interdependencies across a process, not just the individual steps.
"It is crucial to switch perspectives and look at requirements from different angles — as a user and as a provider."
Christopher Neuhaus, Head of Offer & Order Management — Hygienic Pumps
Education: Beverage Technology, Geisenheim
At GEA since September 2016
Christopher trained as a brewer and maltster before studying Beverage Technology at Geisenheim. His route to GEA ran through a machinery company where he was, in effect, a Hilge customer ordering hygienic pumps from the very colleagues he now leads.
Since joining GEA in 2016, he has grown from managing individual bids to heading the entire offer management function a team of 13 responsible for technical and commercial proposals across international markets. Having operated on both sides of the supplier relationship gives him a perspective that is difficult to replicate.
"Studying provides the foundation, in practice, the challenge is to translate that knowledge into real applications."
Daniel Hofmann, Senior Project Manager Engineering — Process Technology, Liquid Filling & Fermentation
Education: Beverage Technology, Geisenheim
At GEA since September 2023
Daniel graduated from Geisenheim in 2007 and joined GEA in 2023 as Senior Project Manager Engineering within the Business Unit Liquid Filling and Fermentation. His work spans the full arc from process design to industrial commissioning.
Shortly after joining, he led the design and commissioning of the multipurpose pilot plant at Geisenheim's Beverage Technology Centre completed in May 2025. The facility where the next generation of Geisenheim students will learn was built, in part, by one of the university's own graduates. That is the GEA and Geisenheim partnership made tangible.
Join the Journey Engineering For a Better World Starts Here.
GEA and Hochschule Geisenheim are shaping the engineers of tomorrow together. If you studied the science of processes, you already speak our language.
Frequently asked questions
What is the connection between GEA and Hochschule Geisenheim?
GEA technology is integrated into Geisenheim's teaching facilities, and GEA staff participate actively in examination boards and faculty partnerships.
What can a Beverage Technology graduate do at GEA?
Graduates have built careers across service, sales, engineering, product management and operations at GEA locations in Germany and internationally.
Does GEA offer careers for engineering graduates in Germany?
Yes. GEA recruits process engineering and technology graduates across multiple German locations, with entry paths in engineering, sales, service and project management.
What industries does GEA operate in?
Food, beverage, dairy, pharmaceutical and new food industries, across more than 150 countries.
