“I accepted the job offer from Pivara Skopje immediately, with enthusiasm. When I recall those moments, I`m joking that the change happened literally overnight, because right after the end of the 3rd shift of work at McDonalds, I went to Pivara for an interview in the morning, they introduced me to the production processes and I continued to work, to this day” – says Josif Manovski, Manager of Beer Production Planning. Through good communication, cooperation, understanding, respect and support, he always strives to have a good working atmosphere in his team. He thinks that taking care of people is very important in successful management and employees always come first. They create the values of Pivara Skopje. Josif says that hanging out with colleagues has become a tradition, and for him a draught Skopsko and good rock and roll is always an excellent combination. He is trying to complete his work tasks on time, so he can relax with his family after a hard working day, and sometimes he also has a habit to “flee” on a mountain during the weekend.

1. Tell us more about your beginnings … When and how did you start your career in Pivara Skopje?

It happened almost 19 years ago, on 10^th of December, 1999. I came in Pivara Skopje from McDonald’s where I had been working for two years, from its very beginnings. With the desire for success and progress, as any young man, in a short time, passing all the stages and trainings, I became a shift manager, and then I participated in the opening of the new restaurant in Aerodrom, where we created a successful team. In that period, I was selected as the best worker and shift manager in the new restaurant, one of the key reasons why I was precisely selected and got the opportunity to join the Pivara Skopje team.  I immediately accepted the job offer from Pivara Skopje. When I recall those moments, I`m joking that the change happened literally overnight, because right after the end of the 3rd shift of work at McDonalds, I went to Pivara for an interview in the morning, they presented me the production process and I continued to work to this day.

2. What was your dream at the beginning of your career and the vision of professional development? How much Pivara Skopje has helped your progress and achieving your professional goals?

The beginning was completely different from the previous work experience, because in Pivara Skopje I started my career as an operator in production, which is in beer mill. My personal upgrade started on different operator positions in beer mill and after a certain period I became a shift manager. Shortly thereafter, along with the new position, I also took over the work with all administrative works and reports. At the end of 2010, I started a new chapter in my career when I was given the opportunity to join the newly formed team of Beer Production Planning. Here, I had the opportunity to learn better about other production processes, as well as to gain further knowledge about the company business in general. In 2014, during the implementation of the SAP system, for a period of one year I independently managed the Beer Production Planning Sector, whereby I had the opportunity to improve my managerial skills, and from the end of 2016 I became a Manager of Beer Production Planning, оf a structured team according to the SAP methodology that operates within the supply chain.

3. What does your job position refers to?

The position Manager of Beer Production Planning is very dynamic and responsible and it includes cooperation with almost every sector. Pivara Skopje as part of the two largest corporations for the production of beverages, Heineken and Coca Cola HBC, allows me to use all planning processes and practices that are at a very high level. By managing all planning processes, our goal is to provide sufficient quantities of finished product and imperfect production according to the needs of the market purchase, all raw materials needed for the planned products, optimize the efficiency of production lines and warehouse spaces, as well as controlling the stocks.

4. How many members are included in the team that you manage and how responsible is that role?

I manage a team of three employees, but because of the dynamics of the work and the responsibilities we have, it looks like we are many more.
We have a lot of information and we control many processes, so we have made daily routines for their easier monitoring. Communication is one of the main factors for successful accomplishment of tasks, so I always try to make it clear and precise. Through good communication, cooperation, understanding, respect and support, I always strive to have a good working atmosphere in my team, because taking care about people is very important in successful management and employees always come first. They create our values. I encourage their development and motivation for high performance. On the other hand, their great dedication to the work and showing outstanding results make me very proud.

5. What is the importance of cross-sectoral communication in relation to your working position, especially with the sales planning sector?

As I mentioned before, in the everyday work we communicate with several sectors, but the biggest communication is with the sales planning sector. In order to plan a particular production, a previous plan is needed, which is based on the sales forecasting plan.

6. What contain the production plans that you make?

At the beginning of each week, according to the sales plan, we are preparing a plan for the production of the finished product for weeks for the next three months. That plan covers all the products we produce, such as the products we import. At the moment in the portfolio of Pivara Skopje, in the beer section, there are about 70 products that we work with in the planning process. After planning the production of the finished product, the plan for the production of a semi-finished product follows. This part has great complexity, since in order for the beer to be ready for crafting, it must be planned for more than a month before producing it. We work with 4 brands of beer and their 8 extensions and each of them has a different recipe. From the production plans, plans for the delivery of raw materials and intermediate goods also arise. At the moment we have over 200 different raw materials and intermediate goods needed in the process of beer production that are of the highest quality, and for their supply we communicate with over 40 different established suppliers from all over the world on a daily basis. All of this is in order to always provide a fresh product with the highest quality on the market.

7. What are your activities while planning new products?

The planning of new products is one of the activities that gives me great pleasure in my work, especially because Pivara Skopje is a leader in the field of innovation and building beer culture in our country. Planning as a sector is part of the project team for launching new products from the very beginning of the project, and then through all processes, through cross-sectoral cooperation, communication with suppliers, and production planning, we allow the product to be delivered on the market in time to meet the needs of our customers.

8. How much working atmosphere in Pivara Skopje motivates you to strive for new successes every day?

Pivara Skopje offers excellent working conditions, and the atmosphere in the company is an additional incentive for achieving great successes in work.
Throughout the everyday work, enthusiasm and desire for learning as well as proving the younger with the experience of older colleagues intertwine, all contributing to a truly excellent working atmosphere.

9. Do you have a habit to take a beer after work with your colleagues? If so, where do you usually go together?

I’m privileged to work with excellent colleagues. The desire to hang out after work became a tradition, so every Friday after the end of the working hours we аre going in the Long Play coffee shop. Good hangout with good colleagues, draught Skopkso and good rock and roll are always a good combination.

10. How do you spend your free time when you are not with colleagues? What relaxes you after a hard working day?

Тhe greatest relaxation after a hard working day I find with my family. I am trying to complete all my work tasks in time so I can spend more time with them. They are my greatest support in my career. I use every free moment to be with them, and then for hanging out with my friends. Often I go mountain climbing and I’m actively riding a bicycle, so I often like to “flee” оn a mountain some day of the weekend.