“Do something you are passionate about. Accept failures and use them to help you grow”

In our NORMAPeople series, employees from around the world talk about their day-to-day work, how they came to the company, and what they like about their jobs.

Dragan Grcic is an Extrusion Manager at the NORMA Group site in Serbia. In this interview, he talks about his career at NORMA Group, his advice for new employees and his aspirations for the future.

Dragan, you have been part of NORMA Group for ten years and have worked in various positions to date. What kind of tasks have you had over the years?

I have worked in a number of different areas over these ten years. Among other things, in the maintenance and development departments. I currently work in production. Over the years, I have been able to acquire extensive knowledge in the areas I have worked in. In recent years, I have learned that all departments have one thing in common: The motivation of the employees and the fantastic working atmosphere. This of course leads to an improvement in the work results for the entire team.

Looking back on the past ten years, what are you particularly proud of?

Definitely my colleagues and my team, with the many professionals who have worked there for many years. I am happy that we are making progress every month and learning from each other. I am proud to have been able to contribute to the growth and success of our site here in Serbia, which has only existed for 10 years. Few people get the opportunity to go through all the growth phases of a production site.

What does your day-to-day work look like?

I am currently in a position where the focus is on production and process to an equal extent. As an Extrusion Manager, I work with my team on technology and process improvements as well as on challenges that arise in the course of daily production. We also keep a watchful eye on future business and customer requirements.

What motivates you?

We take every opportunity to improve our global know-how and expertise in all areas of the work we do. The exchange of knowledge is crucial to any team success. Such an exchange is extremely motivating for me because I am convinced that we can continuously improve in each area.

What advice would you give to new employees joining NORMA Group?

Do something you are passionate about. Accept failures and use them to help you grow. Enjoy your journey at NORMA Group. And of course: Welcome to the family!

What do you like to do in your free time?

I try to keep up with all my hobbies – biking, fishing, playing bass guitar and cooking. Those are just a few of my favorite free-time activities. Some activities are on pause at the moment, but I try to find time for them whenever possible. And at the end of the day, there’s not a lot that differentiates one hobby from another. They all make me feel relaxed and fulfilled.

Having achieved so much, what are your hopes for the future?

With regard to my hobbies, I have set the goal of covering 100 kilometers on my bike in a day. I would also like to perfect the recipe for cooking spareribs on the grill. I think it’s important to find a balance between personal and professional life. Having a work-life balance is the key.

Please complete the following sentence: I love my job because….

… the engineering and technology we have is exceptional. The opportunity to be involved in the development of such technologies every day is what moves me and motivates me for the future.