Thursday, July 18, 2024

What inspired you to pursue a leadership role in production at such a young age?

I have always been fascinated by the world of production. Growing up, I was drawn to the chemical industry. During my time in student organizations, I realized that the people who brought creative visions to life were not just talented individuals, but also skilled leaders who could inspire and motivate their teams to achieve beyond expectations. Witnessing the impact that effective leaders had on their teams and projects, I began to recognize that my own strengths and passions could be leveraged to make a meaningful difference in production - as my love for big machines and parks has not decreased over the years. With a hunger to learn and grow, I'm always eager to take on the leadership of a production team and empower others to do their best work. I believe that energy, creativity, and innovative thinking can bring a fresh perspective to my colleagues.

Innovation is a key driver in today's competitive landscape. Can you share an example of a unique idea or process improvement you've implemented in your career?

My approach to innovation is rooted in collaboration. I believe that the best ideas often emerge from spirited discussions. One of my first breakthroughs was the result of a casual conversation with an Operator. We extended the mixing stage between dosing raw materials, leading to significant cost savings. This collaborative approach to problem-solving has been a hallmark of my career, leading to simple solutions with profound effects.

How do you foster a culture of creativity and out-of-the-box thinking within your production team?

My approach to fostering a culture of creativity and out-of-the-box thinking may seem counterintuitive to some, but it has proven to be effective. It involves planning for failures, which means considering what can be done, who can help, and calculating risks. Many people mistakenly believe that extensive planning restricts and limits creativity. However, I have found that it actually creates an environment where you can experiment, test, and observe results. The simple assumption is this: let's try it, and if it doesn't work, we can adjust or abandon it completely. This approach, which I have successfully implemented in my teams, has led to the generation of innovative ideas and the successful execution of projects.

As a young leader, what challenges have you faced in gaining the trust and respect of your team, and how have you overcome them?

I believe that trust is not simply gained but is earned through being a trustworthy person. I prioritize open and honest discussions and value understanding others' perspectives. When facing challenges as a young leader, I encounter skepticism about my experience. I address this by engaging in thorough discussions about the subject matter rather than just relying on my past experiences. In my opinion, the most important skill for a leader to learn is the ability to admit not knowing something and encourage input from others by asking, "What do you think?"

In your opinion, what role does technology play in modern production, and how have you leveraged it to enhance efficiency in your operations?

This is a significant topic that is quite popular in the industry. There are numerous great solutions available in the market. From my point of view, understanding what you want to achieve and comprehending production processes is more important. Without this, new technology is just an expensive gadget without any benefits. However, with a deep understanding of goals and processes, even using simple tools provided by Microsoft can improve communication, track trends, and reduce the number of emails flooding your inbox.

Continuous learning is crucial in leadership. What strategies do you employ to stay updated on industry trends and best practices in production?

I love visiting other plants and connecting with people who have different perspectives. My network of contacts is an endless source of knowledge for me. Whenever I'm interested in something or face a challenge, I always look for someone to talk to about the topic or who can refer me to the right expert. What I like about Mondelez is that we utilize the knowledge from other factories in the organization. Regular trips and participation in conferences allow me to stay up to date with many new developments.

Can you share a situation in which you had to navigate a complex problem or unexpected challenge in production and how you approached finding a solution?

Dealing with various challenges is often necessary in production, such as machine failures, achieving goals, and supply chain disruptions. The solution is simple: teamwork. Obtaining different perspectives on the problem allows us to organize the chaos and break down a major obstacle into smaller, often easily achievable tasks. Equipment breakdowns are a common challenge in every factory. However, even the worst-case scenario, such as a lack of spare parts for weeks, can be overcome with the collective effort of planners, maintenance, continuous improvement, quality, and production teams.

Thinking about the future, what trends do you see emerging in the production industry, and how do you plan to adapt your strategies to stay ahead?

We need to adapt to several trends. First, we must adapt to fast-changing consumer demand and expectations. Second, we must consider the economic situation and financial pressure. Third, we need to meet higher regulatory requirements. The best strategy in this fast-changing world is to embrace continuous change. So, we plan, we do, we check, we act. (Do you see what I did here? 😊).