Do you remember your beginnings? As a former Hemofarm Foundation scholarship recipient, how do you view that period today and how important was that opportunity for your professional development?

When I think about my beginnings at Hemofarm, the first thing that comes to mind is the feeling of pride and excitement I had as a scholarship recipient. That opportunity didn’t just mark the start of my career — it was a key moment in which, for the first time, I could apply the knowledge I gained at the Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy in a real working environment. During the first months I got to know all the production facilities in Vršac, and then I settled in the Solid Dosage Forms Plant — the well-known SDFP. The chance to apply my freshly acquired knowledge in practice was incredibly motivating. I still remember the excitement when I received my first independent task from the then director, Olja Vujnović. From that moment — there was no stopping.

From a scholarship recipient the Packaging Center Site Head— how did your journey evolve? What were the key moments or decisions that shaped your career at Hemofarm?

After a year working as a production associate, I got the opportunity to independently lead the Effervescent Dosage Forms Department, where my leadership skills began to develop, alongside continuous improvement of my engineering skills. With shorter breaks that enriched my life with two sons, now teenagers, I worked in the Effervescent Forms Department until the end of 2016, and then took over the leadership of SDFP. That was, I believe, the turning point in my career — to be, or not to be.

Thanks to the great team and the support of management, our results were excellent for several years in a row, and my development progressed in parallel with the changes in the organizational structure of technical operations. Over the following four years, as part of the Global Operations team, I gained valuable international experience by working with colleagues from all production sites within the Group — first as Program Manager, and later as Director of the Global Operations Management Office.

In March 2024, I “returned home” and took over the managerial position in the Packaging Center.

The key moments that shaped my career were opportunities for development and improvement — whether training, workshops, participating in a project or visiting another production site. They helped me not only in terms of professional advancement, but also served as a strong motivational factor and a sign of trust the company placed in me.

All those opportunities brought wonderful people into my life — people I learned from, and who in a way made me feel responsible to continue this circle of knowledge and support. Every new responsibility and challenge I went through contributed to my professional development and shaped me as a person. I can proudly say that effort and dedication pay off, and my story is proof of how important it is to believe in yourself and use every opportunity for growth and development.

What has motivated you to grow within the company all these years, and which Hemofarm values are still close to you?

Throughout all these years, my motivation was mostly shaped by the recognition of good work and opportunities to improve processes within technical operations. There is never a lack of challenges ahead of us, and accepting mistakes as opportunities to learn additionally motivated me to progress.

As for Hemofarm's values, I can resonate with each of them, although I believe that people who know me would first think of Agility. What I consider important is that values are not just words — they are reflected in behavior. The key is to identify and nurture behaviors that align with our values, as well as to address those that don’t. My journey at Hemofarm has been shaped by both challenges and company values, and every new lesson has contributed to my development as a professional.

The “One of Us” initiative connects generations of former scholarship recipients who are still part of Hemofarm today — what does that sense of community mean to you?

I hope I’m not the oldest — that’s the first thing that comes to mind. Jokes aside, this is a wonderful initiative. For new scholarship recipients, it is an opportunity to understand “first-hand” the chance they have ahead of them and to use it in the best possible way. For scholarship recipients from earlier generations, it is a bridge to extremely valuable insights about new generations — the popular Gen Z.

The sense of community that this initiative creates is very important, because it enables young people to learn from the experiences of those who have already walked a similar path. I feel proud to be part of Hemofarm’s story that connects generations, and I believe this will continue to inspire new scholarship recipients to make the most of the opportunities they are given.

What would you say to young people who are just entering the “You Can Do It” program and beginning their professional journey?

Keep the child within you and allow it to stay curious. Ask everything you want to know — you are surrounded by people who have the answers and want to share them with you. Every opportunity is a chance to learn, and networking can open doors you would never expect. Believe in yourself and don’t be afraid to ask — that is your path to growth and success.

Take the opportunity to expand your knowledge and gain your first professional experience by learning from the best in the pharmaceutical industry. Apply for the new scholarship competition for the 2025/2026 academic year. You can find more details about the eligibility criteria and application process here. The competition is open until December 1, 2025.