With a Master of Science in Civil Engineering and a wide range of personal passions – including being a railway enthusiast, volunteering as a firefighter, and DJing – Szymon Bednarz has been part of the Gpi Tanks Poland team since 2014. Over the years, he has gained experience in various roles before finding his place as a Project Manager. Before joining Gpi, he worked in railway maintenance and for a company specializing in silo construction. While industrial tanks weren’t his first field, the industry quickly proved to align with both his skills and ambitions.
Career at Gpi – step by step
Szymon began his journey with Gpi over 10 years ago. From the very start, he was involved in technical documentation and drawings for projects run by the Dutch team.
– “I spent the first few weeks in Poland and then had the opportunity to continue my development in the Netherlands. I was impressed from the beginning by the company’s professional approach and how much focus there is on quality and growth.”
He soon became one of the first Project Engineers in the Polish team. Today, he is a Project Manager, leading international industrial projects.
The real breakthrough
Szymon always wanted to work for a company that designs, creates, and builds. As a Project Engineer, he worked on projects from a technical angle – creating drawings, preparing documentation, and overseeing project implementation, but only up to a certain stage. The real breakthrough came when he met a client face-to-face for the first time.
-“That’s when I realized I enjoy working directly with people the most. I had incredible support from my colleagues in the Netherlands, where I was working at the time. That experience shaped me – it’s when I knew I wanted to become a Project Manager.”
The role change turned out to be a perfect fit.
-“As an engineer, I had contact with the client, but I wasn’t involved in later stages of the project. I felt something was missing. I like solving problems and overseeing the entire solution. Now, I have the full picture – and that’s incredibly satisfying.”
A dynamic work environment
No two days are the same at Gpi. Working as a Project Manager means staying in touch with clients, technical teams, and colleagues in both Poland and the Netherlands. Projects move fast and often require quick and practical decisions.
One project stood out in particular – during the pandemic, when Szymon was asked to supervise an on-site build for a Polish client.
-“It was a big challenge – the tanks were being built on-site, and the client asked me to take full supervision over the construction site. At first, it wasn’t easy. I was overseeing the construction of several tanks, while others were being produced at our factory in Skarbimierz-Osiedle. I was also responsible for their installation and the assembly of platforms. Together with the Polish team, we did a really great job. The client still wants to work with us and knows they can reach out to me at any time.”
What Szymon values most at Gpi is the lack of rigid routines and the sense that the company is truly evolving – both in terms of technology and in its approach to teamwork. The collaboration between the Polish production department and the Dutch engineering teams is built on mutual understanding.
– “Despite the language barrier, we really do speak the same language.”
Career development
Building strong relationships is essential in the role of a Project Manager – both with clients and within the company. Szymon emphasizes the importance of being open to feedback, talking about differences, and maintaining professionalism. Many clients have years of experience and valuable insights that are worth considering.
-“Clients usually know what they’re doing. After all, ‘they’ve built more than one tank,’” he adds with a smile. – “We need to be transparent and really listen to their needs.”
Development isn’t just about training – it’s part of the everyday work.
“At Gpi, every day is about development. We’re not standing still – there’s no routine. The company gives us the tools, but it’s up to us how we use them.”
His inspiration? Szymon has no doubt.
-“Several Project Managers and Engineers I had the pleasure of working with early on. They gave us a lot of freedom, trust, and showed us that it’s worth building on solid foundations. Now I know that it’s up to me how the collaboration unfolds.”
Advice for future Project Managers
What gives him the greatest satisfaction is the final outcome.
-“A smiling client and a handshake at the end of a project – that’s my greatest reward.”
Asked what advice he’d give to someone considering a career as a Project Manager at Gpi Tanks Poland, he keeps it short – It’s never boring. It’s a job full of challenges that requires openness, a willingness to learn, and a basic level of technical knowledge. But if you enjoy challenges, it’s the perfect place.
If he could go back and speak to his younger self?
-“Keep moving forward. There will be better and worse days – but it’s worth the fight. Where I am today is the best proof of that.”
