From Pizza Jobs to IT Project Manager at German Retailer Norma
Youness Albez, 30, left Casablanca to study in Germany. After taking on a series of odd jobs, including as a pizza chef, he became an IT project manager at Norma, a retail chain with more than 1,450 stores. His career has just been recognized by a German foundation.
On December 11, 2014, at 8:55 a.m., Youness Albez received a call from the German consulate: his visa had been approved. The young man from Casablanca could finally pursue his plans to study in Germany. But his Moroccan diploma required him to complete a preparatory program before entering university. He began by studying German intensively for a semester in Heidelberg, passed the entrance exam, and then completed a year of university preparation.
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He then enrolled at the University of Mannheim to study industrial engineering. To pay for his studies, he took on a succession of jobs: waiter in restaurants, pizza chef at Vapiano, bakery employee, and tutor in mathematics and physics. Among other things, he taught students and young refugees.
The Covid-19 pandemic disrupted his plans. While pursuing a master’s degree in Augsburg, he was suddenly left without income when restaurants closed. An internship at Lufthansa also ended prematurely. Faced with financial difficulties, Youness decided to focus temporarily on work to regain stability.
From Store Management to IT Projects
After completing in-house training at Norma, he became a district manager in Aichach, Bavaria. His early days were complicated by the distrust of some experienced colleagues. “I was very young, and I came from abroad,” he told German newspaper Lebensmittel Zeitung in an interview. He says he gradually earned their trust through dialogue.
He then resumed his studies and completed a master’s degree in computer science in Augsburg. For his thesis, he developed a machine-learning system capable of identifying anomalies in cash register data. The technology automates checks previously carried out manually by district managers and makes it easier to detect irregularities.
Youness now works as a senior IT project manager at Norma. The German discount retailer operates more than 1,450 supermarkets in Germany, France, Austria and the Czech Republic. Bridging IT and business management, the Moroccan hopes to continue developing technological solutions tailored to the needs of large retailers.
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His career has just earned him recognition from the Goldener Zuckerhut Foundation, which rewards young talent in Germany’s retail and food industries each year. Youness is one of the ten winners in the 2026 edition. He plans to use the prize money to fund an MBA at a leading business school and continue progressing toward roles that combine IT and business management.
