• 18.03.2024

We spoke with members of Pivara Skopje’s leadership team about their career development, what motivates and guides them, their roles, and what those roles mean, and the lessons they have learned along the way.

As a socially responsible company and part of two international groups, Pivara Skopje carries a broader responsibility to serve as an example to others in society by creating and implementing policies that ensure full equality, not only between women and men, but among all people. At the same time, through the way it operates in the market, the company aims to encourage and inspire others by showing that there are companies where equality is woven into every aspect of the business.

Reflecting on their career achievements and challenges, the directors of several key functions in the company highlight the importance of workplace inclusion and well-balanced teams, which not only enhance creativity and innovation potential, but also strengthen collaboration and positively influence overall company performance.

Snezhana Savic-Dimovska, Director, Corporate Affairs & Sustainability

You successfully transitioned from Director of the Legal Affairs Department to Director of Corporate Affairs & Sustainability at Pivara Skopje. What did that transition look like, and what is your vision for the further development of this function?

I joined the Pivara Skopje team several years ago as Director of the Legal Department. It was a major professional change, considering the size of the company I was joining, and I was fortunate to be in an environment where I received significant support during my adjustment period, countless opportunities to learn new things, many chances to deliver different projects, and all of that alongside pleasant, friendly colleagues.

Leading one of Pivara Skopje’s functions carries weight and comes with significant responsibility, while also being a major advantage, because Pivara Skopje is backed by two large and world-renowned companies – Coca-Cola HBC and Heineken.

The transition from the Legal Department to Corporate Affairs & Sustainability came naturally, as a closing of a meaningful chapter in the Legal function. It was filled with diverse challenges, successes, daily work, crisis situations, and, of course, quality time spent with colleagues. In the spirit of my personal development, my constant desire to discover something new, and my search for change as a stimulus in what I do, taking on the leadership role in Corporate Affairs & Sustainability felt like the right next step.

Every change is healthy and necessary, and it is something that has always moved and motivated me. Taking on this function was an exciting opportunity because it represented an entirely new area, with few points of overlap with my previous work and established ways of operating and thinking, which made it even more appealing and intriguing.

The new responsibilities arrived immediately. In our industry, there is no time for a long adaptation period or gradual adjustment. On the contrary, the work met me with speed and major challenges, with no time to prepare or “learn first”, everything had to happen on the move. While this is not easy at all, it increased my drive for success and motivated me to give my very best. The greater the challenge, the more I feel positive excitement, determination, and motivation.

I see Corporate Affairs & Sustainability as an inseparable thread connecting all other functions at Pivara Skopje, supporting the business across every possible segment; a function that promotes and lives Pivara Skopje’s values, develops and spreads our culture, and creates a positive impact on the society in which we live.

Through its activities, this function represents the face of Pivara Skopje, and for that reason, it is a privilege to be part of it.

What from your work at Pivara Skopje so far motivates you and keeps you moving forward?

Pivara Skopje is a company with more than a century of tradition on the Macedonian market, widely recognized and synonymous with quality, success, and longevity. At the same time, it is a unique union of two international companies that are an inexhaustible source of experience and innovation. Being part of this family is both a pleasure and a responsibility.

What personally motivates me and drives me forward is my love for my work; the achievements we have reached together with my colleagues; the genuine joy we share in one another’s successes; working in an environment with truly countless opportunities for growth and for gaining knowledge and experience; the impact we have on the community in which we live; and my deep affection for the brands I work for.

Every successfully completed task becomes motivation to achieve even better and higher next time, and to do so in the right way, in line with our values and together with the team I work with.

I am also glad that, as a company, we share the same values with our partners and associates, to improve the community in which we operate and live. Only together can we contribute to a better world for future generations, and I am proud to be part of a company that not only recognizes this but proves it through action.

Ivana Petrovska, Organizational Transformation Lead

What is the challenge of leading Pivara Skopje through organizational transformation, and what does it actually involve?

The term “organizational transformation” has gained increasing popularity in recent years, yet it still carries a certain mystique around what it truly means. In short, organizational transformation is a structured process of leading the changes an organization needs to move from its current state to a desired future state. This most often includes changes in organizational structure, processes, ways of working, technology, and company culture.

In today’s competitive, dynamic, and unpredictable business environment, such changes are essential for a company’s survival. The speed at which companies can adapt to external changes and influences and respond to consumer demand is key to securing sustainable long-term growth and development.

However, the path to the desired outcome is not easy at all. Given that transformation is a long and complex process, it is inevitably accompanied by a range of challenges.

One of them is connecting the vision of the desired goal with the way it will be implemented in the market. The first step toward a successful transformation is clear communication about where we want to be and how this process of change will help us get there.

Fear of the unknown and acceptance of the planned changes can also be challenging during implementation. Overcoming these depends on several factors. The first is leaders’ ability to create a work environment that values and supports innovation, adaptability, and collaboration. The second factor is employees’ commitment and willingness to contribute to achieving the desired goal. The last, but no less important, is continuous, transparent communication at all levels of the organization.

A complex organizational structure can also be a challenge, particularly in large companies. It can significantly hinder communication and the synchronization of activities between different functions, systems, and processes.

In brief, organizational transformation depends on the ability to successfully integrate its different aspects. This requires investment of time, effort, and resources, yet transformation is the only way to ensure sustainable growth in today’s world of constant change.

How do trends in new ways of working influence a company’s success?

One of the main catalysts for successful organizational transformation is the change in how we carry out our daily work.

Rapid technological development, especially over the past decade has provided us with a wide range of digital tools that support everyday work. Implementing these tools properly during the redesign of internal processes can significantly optimize workflows in terms of time and resources, enabling the company to respond effectively to market demands.

Increased availability of information can also improve the performance of companies that make appropriate use of available data sources when making business decisions.

Beyond technological changes, companies can increase productivity by adopting new ways of working. Methodologies that promote a higher level of collaboration beyond the boundaries of traditional organizational structures contribute to improved employee well-being and encourage innovation, initiative, responsibility, and a sense of belonging.

The successful combination of digitalization and process optimization, supported by the maintenance of a healthy organizational culture, is what distinguishes Pivara Skopje as a leading company in the domestic market.

Magdalena Hristova, Finance Director

You began your career at Pivara Skopje as an Internal Auditor, and you are now Finance Director. What did that career path look like?

I joined the Pivara family in 2013 as an Internal Auditor. I still remember the interview clearly, when I was asked how I would manage this change, and I confidently replied: “Give me six months, and I will learn.” I learned quickly and got to know my colleagues just as fast.

One day, I approached the Finance Director at the time and asked to work on finance projects in order to broaden my knowledge even further. Soon after, I was offered the position of Financial Controller. Over the next four years, there were many challenges along the way, but with the support of the team and my managers, we always found a way to reach a solution.

Then COVID-19 arrived, bringing a new reality, and platforms like Teams and Zoom became the “new normal” for communication. With family at home and colleagues at work, we managed to establish routines, share responsibilities, create schedules, and become one big, happy family learning and working from home.

In the midst of the pandemic, I received an offer for a new professional challenge in a completely new country and, additionally, a personal challenge with a family and three children who did not want to move abroad. I became Commercial Finance Manager at Coca-Cola HBC Serbia. During that period, I used every opportunity to meet my new team in person. Step by step, meeting by meeting with the commercial functions, we became trusted partners. We became a close team working together toward shared goals and finding solutions.

After the pandemic, I traveled a lot, and it became truly difficult to find a balance between work and family. My teenagers remained firm in their decision not to move to Serbia, and I faced a new challenge. The best solution at that moment was to return to Pivara Skopje, this time with an even bigger challenge: moving from Finance into Sales, which I accepted and took the role of Key Account Sales Manager.

After the period of adapting to my new role, another challenge emerged. I took on the position of Finance Director at Pivara Skopje, and at the same time, reached my Everest. But my journey continues, and now I have a new Everest to climb: to perform the best I can in this role, to overcome the challenges along the way, and to keep winning as one team.

What are your greatest achievements that make you especially proud and what lessons did you learn from them?

My values played a huge role in how I grew а self-discipline and perseverance were key to maintaining the highest standards of accuracy and integrity in my work. Teamwork, honesty, and the courage to challenge the status quo allowed me to make decisions decisively, while continuous learning was essential for growth. I never chased positions; I was hungry for knowledge. Whenever I faced a new challenge, I reminded myself that the opportunity given should be used in the best possible way.

Throughout my career, one piece of advice has stayed with me to this day: “Find your Everest. Everest is your guiding star, the direction that drives you forward. If you have Everest in front of you, you will always know which way to go.”

The lessons I have learned through my personal and professional development are several, all equally important. Above all, family is always the greatest support. When decisions must be made, family is there to offer unconditional support in new challenges. It is important to embrace challenges with courage and to keep our personal Everest in mind. To approach colleagues with trust, because they are a team of professionals who will help us grow together, and to accept every change as a journey and an opportunity for continuous learning.

Vesna Paunkoska–Dodevska, Director, Legal Affairs Department

You are the newest member of Pivara Skopje’s management team, in the role of Director of the Legal Affairs Department. How has your previous experience prepared you for this position?

My career path has included a range of roles, both in the public and in the private sector. The broad spectrum of different positions and areas of law that formed part of my daily responsibilities enabled me to gain extensive experience and knowledge within the corporate environment.

Before joining Pivara Skopje’s management team, I spent several years as a member of the management team of one of the largest insurance companies in the country, which was part of the largest insurance group in the Adria Region. There, I was responsible for legal and corporate affairs, and the role required involvement in all legal aspects of the company’s operations, understood in the broadest sense, primarily within business and corporate law, including ensuring the company’s compliance with national regulations. Through the experience I accumulated over the years, I learned a great deal about corporate values, corporate culture, and how the corporate world functions.

About the professional field – law, my previous experience was unquestionably key in choosing my new career path and becoming part of Pivara Skopje’s management team. The Legal Affairs Department is a highly significant link in the chain of every company. On the one hand, it stems from the company’s strategy, and on the other, it must respond to frequent regulatory changes in our country. As such, the Legal Affairs Department has a truly crucial role in achieving targeted financial results through compliant and lawful action across all segments of the company’s functioning and operations. For this reason, this management role requires the ability to understand the “big corporate picture” while simultaneously guiding the company along the right path of compliant operations.

What are your first impressions of the workplace, the environment, and the opportunities offered by this new industry for you?

The change in my career path, the transition from one industry to another, was truly a major step forward and a challenge for me. At the same time, it opened new horizons and opportunities for learning and continuous professional development, as well as personal growth. The FMCG industry, as its very name suggests, is highly dynamic and fast-moving, which for me naturally meant a new pace of life as well. The wholehearted support from my family and colleagues was essential to my quick and smooth adaptation to the new working environment.

For me, it is a great honor, but also a responsibility to be part of Pivara Skopje’s highly qualified management team, composed of outstanding and dedicated professionals. And not only the members of the management team, every individual in the company, through their knowledge and expertise, is part of the mosaic of Pivara Skopje’s success story.

For any relationship to be successful, mutual respect and support are essential. The same applies here: in the relationships between employees and Pivara Skopje, there is a high level of trust and synergy. Pivara Skopje offers equal opportunities for all, including various modern formal and informal tools for career development and advancement, as well as tools for everyday learning and upskilling.

This company represents a progressive environment for ambitious and talented people who envision their careers within a large corporation, one that offers a wide range of comprehensive educational and career opportunities, and above all, the chance to learn from top professionals in the FMCG industry.

Marija Todorovska – Director, People & Culture Department

You have been part of Pivara Skopje’s management team for three years, as Director of the People & Culture Department. You were also named the country’s best HR Manager and have many years of experience in the field of Human Resources. From today’s perspective, at a time when the labor market is undergoing continuous transformation, what have you managed to achieve at Pivara Skopje that helped position the company as one of the most desirable employers in the country?

Considering the complexity of Pivara Skopje’s business, as well as the ongoing transformation of the labor market, I would say that leading the People & Culture Department is a challenge and a responsibility, but at the same time a pleasure, considering everything my team and I are able to achieve together.

With its 100+ years of tradition, Pivara Skopje has always been a relevant employer in the country’s labor market. From today’s perspective, as a company that is part of two international groups, Coca-Cola HBC and Heineken, it continues to offer our people a place where they can reach their full potential. Pivara Skopje remains a place of innovation, the introduction of new technologies and digital tools, recognizable brands, and an environment that provides its people with unlimited opportunities for learning, development, and professional growth.

This is precisely what sets us apart as one of the most desirable employers in the country, because we invest in our people, and their growth means our growth.

In addition, Pivara Skopje is a socially responsible company, and sustainable development is woven into our culture and everyday work. Through student and secondary-school internship programs, paid placements, and the well-established Coke Summership summer internship program, we are proud to open our doors to the future of our country, the young people. We provide them with numerous opportunities to come and learn from experienced professionals who selflessly volunteer to mentor them and guide them through the first steps of their careers.

As a company, you emphasize that the key to Pivara Skopje’s success lies in its people—their professional competencies and equal opportunities for development. Could you briefly outline your strategic commitments aimed at strengthening people’s skills and building leaders who will ensure the sustainability of the business?

The key to Pivara Skopje’s success lies in Pivara colleagues who come to work every day with a mission to create value for those we serve: our customers, consumers, employees, and the community. Continuous growth can only be achieved through behavior focused on constant learning, evolution, adaptation, and development.

As a company, we are very aware that for people to realize their maximum potential, we must create an environment that enables them to learn, be exposed to new experiences, step outside their comfort zone, experiment, and make mistakes without fear of judgment, while reaching new levels of personal and professional development through those experiences.

We have several structured programs designed for different categories of employees. We are proud of our Sales Academy, which from day one has been responsible for onboarding, training, and monitoring the progress of every employee in the Sales Department. Since last year, following the same principle, we have also introduced the Supply Chain Academy (production, maintenance, logistics, procurement), ensuring that our employees continuously receive the most relevant and up-to-date information and the skills they need skills that evolve as the business and our needs evolve. Furthermore, for the development of leadership and management competencies of our current and future leaders, we have several different programs tailored to their different needs.

Finally, I would like to emphasize that, alongside the existence of all these different programs and advancement opportunities, it is equally important for us as a company to build a culture and environment of non-discrimination, equal opportunities, and equal access to learning and development.

I can proudly say that today at Pivara Skopje, half of our mid- and senior-level managers are women; half of the employees included in leadership development programs are women; and absolutely everyone, without exception, has access to our many academies, online trainings, and all other opportunities available within the company.

The interview was published in Капитал.