Employee interview - Dubravka Horvat

What were the jobs that you worked on so far at the company?

I am proud to say that I have spent 21 years working on various positions at Podravka. You could not imagine how much you can learn about a company when you develop in it from the very beginning!

I begun my sales career as sales promoter within Marketing department, which greatly influenced further development of my career, but also my personal development. After having worked in sales promotion for two years, logical sequel was to get employed as a sales representative within Sales department.  Parallel to my career, I was also completing my formal education at the Faculty of Economics and Business in Zagreb. My superiors recognized my engagement, so further development of my career was demonstrated as advancement through various posts related to functions of sales and marketing such as: marketing coordinator, promotional activities department head, sales personnel education head for the markets of Croatia, South East Europe, category management - project director, sales advancement service manager, meat and meat products sales and distribution director.

Working on these posts I was given the opportunity to acquire vast amounts of knowledge and even greater experience. Every new post required additional responsibility, adjustment, additional perfecting and lots of energy to justify the trust that was given to me. I am currently employed as training manager for sales functions development within the Human resources and corporate administration department.

Could you describe your tasks at the company?

As training manager I am focused on finding the best models for systemic development of sales. The job itself is very dynamic, but extremely responsible. For good systemic development preparation one needs to define criteria and standards of competences and skills for employees in sales, as a part of background for preparing education development program.  In order to prepare an education program as well as development plans for every individual, one needs to complete further analysis of the current situation in sales. Based on received information, development maps and education program are prepared. The program includes the management and sales operatives, and their goal is to transfer knowledge and advance communication with the purpose of further improving business processes and increase sales.

Apart from the already stated, I am also in charge of implementing some internal training programs. Considering that part of the education is being performed by outsourced trainers, I also participate in negotiation processes on terms and evaluation of program implementation. As a training manager I also act as a consultant during changes in sales function reorganization, if there is a need for something like this, and as an internal manager I provide support to employees in Sales through career tracking, but also through providing support in demanding situations on the field.

My long term goal is to increase the number of internal trainers for specific areas so that majority of educations would be done with own resources.

What do you consider to be the challenges of your work?

Being an internal trainer is a great responsibility for me, but also a challenge. My greatest challenge is to convey to the colleagues in sales the knowledge and experience in the best way, keeping up with the trends at the same time. Very important part of the process is to build the sense of togetherness, release internal strengths of an individual - creative, emotional, entrepreneurship, in order for the employees to be turned into relentless innovators, successful team workers, responsible and efficient employees focused on increasing productivity and profitability.

Sales is an extremely important and demanding function in a company and requires courage, knowledge and experience along with great motivation, persistence and a desire to acquire new knowledge, considering the changes in the market take place with such great speed. For the same reason it is important to ensure good transfer of knowledge and experience, with continuous motivation of employees, in order for them to become aware of their strengths and direct them into a personal success, and with that the success of the company.

In your opinion, what are the advantages of working at Podravka?

An advantage of working at Podravka is definitely the work environment of motivated employees and colleagues with whom I cooperate, and the possibility of a professional and personal education with continuous career development. I have a strong sense of belonging developed for Podravka, and my goal is to contribute to the company with my dedicated work, so it may forever remain a successful company.