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Using creative thinking to achieve the best planning. This is the simplest explanation for our colleague Stefan Todorovski, proud Pivarec and Marketing Manager for non-alcoholic drinks, who first started his career in Pivara Skopje in a different environment, ie in the Sector for planning the production of non-alcoholic drinks. As a Production Planner, Stefan and his team in Pivara Skopje brought two significant awards, and today Stefan is part of the team of marketers who successfully carries on with the challenges of the big global brands.
Stefan, we are interviewing you as the Marketing Manager for non-alcoholic drinks that are part of the Pivara Skopje porftolio. This means that you and your team work on the implementation of marketing and sales campaigns for the Macedonian market for major global brands, such as Coca Cola, Schweppes, Fanta, Monster, etc. Can you please describe your typical day at work and tell us what does it mean to you to have brands of this rank “in your hands”?
Stefan: Being part of the marketing team in Pivara Skopje is a huge challenge, given the fact that marketing is broad and diverse discipline, so I would say that every day is a new experience that is unique and unrepeatable
In such a dynamic atmosphere as in the marketing sector in Pivara Skopje, each day is filled with specific challenges, and it is fun in a different way. Together with the team we work on the strategic positioning of the portfolio of non-alcoholic drinks at Pivara Skopje through various campaigns, activations, promotions, and customized approach for each brand separately. The team consists of 4 members including me and it is like a family that functions as one. In addition to the honor of working for the world’s largest brands such as Coca Cola, Fanta, Schweppes, Rosa, Monster, etc., I am especially honored to be part of a team of professionals who are improving themselves continuously and share their knowledge selflessly. Marketing is a function that determines the short-term sales goals, but also the long-term strategic “BIG BETS”. As the owner and keeper of the brands, products, packaging, and overall portfolio of non-alcoholic drinks our company offers, I would say that the marketing represents the direct link between us as a company, our customers, and our partners The Coca Cola Company and Monster Group. Because the trends, needs and priorities of our customers are constantly changing at a fast pace, the biggest challenge and long-term goal is for me and my team to be always dynamic and agile by responding to all customer and consumer needs, and additionally adding value through our campaigns.
New trends in digitalization are changing the way we sell, so every day we are witnessing new channels that we are actively using in favor of our company, our customers, and consumers.
Your career journey in Pivara Skopje startedat a completely different job position from the one you have now. You started as a Production Planner, then quickly changed several positions, became the Head of the Planning team as a Planning Manager, and then became a Warehouse Manager. If you can put in a retrospective, your beginnings, and your career development in this segment, what would you single out as a special challenge?
Stefan: My career started in the marketing industry, more precisely in a marketing agency where I worked for seven years. And from there, I continued my career path in Pivara Skopje, in a completely different environment, ie in the supply chain of the non-alcoholic drinks company. After that, I had my career turnaround. New company, new industry, new job position. As person who needs adrenaline, dynamic work environment and new challenges, I gladly accepted the challenge. I must admit that it was not easy at first, but it was challenging enough to be exciting for me. In fact, the desire to learn and share knowledge were the key elements that led to my career change and contributed to joining the winning team for Planning Non-alcoholic drinks in Pivara Skopje. From today’s perspective, those were unforgettable times that I will always remember. With a lot of effort I overcame all the novelties and with the help of my dear colleagues from the Planning team and their selfless sharing of knowledge I quickly adapted and learned the SAP system, processes and procedures that were totally unknown and new to me. After a year and a half I went through and learned all the positions in the sector and became a Non-alcoholic drinks Planning Manager.
Together with the team we won 2 prestigious awards:
Along with the awards, I remember that congratulations came from everywhere, so me and the team were especially proud of the culture of recognizing and appreciating our success. That made us hungry for even greater victories and even greater challenges.
Things were moving in a great direction and the sector was developing progressively. With the new structural changes came my next position – Warehouse Manager. A huge challenge that required additional learning and skills building. With the support of the various trainings provided by the company, including the Fast Forward 3 program, I was able to adapt and incorporate in the new environment. As a supervisor of all 5 warehouses, I had the opportunity to cooperate and coordinate with our external logistics partners operating in Pivara Skopje.
Professional and personal growth in Pivara Skopje is an advantage that all Pivarci should enjoy. After a year and a half in this position, I was on the threshold of a new career challenge, ie the opportunity to return to the old path. I took on the position of Marketing Manager for Non-alcoholic drinks and returned to my career roots as Non-alcoholic drinks Planning Manager.
You are an example that career transformations are possible. How did the transition period from your position in the Supply Chain to the new position in the Marketing Sector look like? We are talking about completely different environment, different work responsibilities, and even different dynamics. How complex wasthe period of adaptation in the new environment for you?
Stefan: Each new position requires agility, adaptation and unconditional learning. When changing positions, the performance should be kept high by every professional and the transfer should run smoothly, without major setbacks. In my case, I received huge support from my colleagues and I believe did an easy transition.
The transition to Marketing has brought me more work flexibility and a different dynamic than the position I had in the Supply Chain. It is a new environment that is directly connected to the customers and the sales sector, instead of being the background support of the business, like it was at my previous job position.
Pivara Skopje offers an excellent opportunity to quickly adapt to different positions through individual introduction plans and a clear description of work responsibilities, which helped me to successfully deal with all the challenges and different specifics of the job position.
This year, Pivara Skopje celebrates 100 years of its existence. You are part of a generation of Pivarci who have the honor to be part of this 100th anniversary celebration. What does it mean for you to be a Pivarec?
Stefan: The team and I have been preparing for the big jubilee for a long time but I can’t reveal all the details about the upcoming celebration. With the help of our partners The Coca Cola Company we are preparing unique surprises for our customers and consumers.
Being part of the Pivara Skopje family is an honour and a privilege that should treated with respect. Pivara Skopje is a 100-year-old tradition and culture that our generation nurtures and paves the path for the next 100 years. This beautiful 100 year old “lady” has an historical impact on our country, and we have the opportunity to say that we are part of it – isn’t that something to be proud of?
For better or for worse, the Pivarci team always finds solutions to all the challenges, emerges victorious from every battle and grows in the spirit of partnership and togetherness.