Hungarian FMCG experts abroad (Part 3)

Zoltán Novák had already worked for several FMCG companies before he joined the Kraft Foods Hungária team (which is called Mondelez Hungária now). Since June 2012 he has been the managing director of Mondelez Polska. Mondelez Polska’s annual turnover is nearly USD 500 million, it has seven factories and major brands such as Milka chocolate, Jacobs coffee, Deliceje biscuits, Prince Polo wafers and Alpen Gold chocolate. Since there are more than 90,000 retail units all over Poland, one of the company’s main tasks is distribution as retail’s concentration process is slower and less intense than in Hungary. With its 40 million potential consumers the Polish market is still very promising despite the fact that the development of the country’ economy has slowed down a bit. Mr Novák and his family already have many Polish friends and his experience is that the attitude of the Polish towards Hungarians is very positive. The only thing he can’t get used to is the climate. In general the managing director thinks that working in a foreign country is more difficult because the language and the culture are different but they like living in Poland and do their best to enjoy the stay. He recommends everyone that they give working abroad a chance because it makes one’s life fuller. László Varsányi studied informatics and worked as a programmer for 7 years before joining the army for 15 months. After this he started working in retail and ended up at dm drogerie markt, where having spent five years as regional expansion manager in Hungary he is now assortment manager with the company’s Austrian affiliate. Mr Varsányi, his wife and son have been living in Salzburg for a year and despite initial hardships they like it and have had many great experiences. He tries to get to know how Austrians think as much as possible because in his view that is what has made the town and the country so beautiful and liveable. As regards his position, he is responsible for sourcing just like he was back in Hungary, taking care of the hair care, feminine hygiene, foot care and textiles segments. He is in touch with the biggest international manufacturers. Since company procedures work according to the dm standards everywhere, the level of partnerships is generally high – just like in Hungary. It is a challenge for Mr Varsányi to speak German in his work but this situation also motivates him. His advice to colleagues is to be prepared for changes all the time and not to be afraid of new things. He reckons that the role of the family becomes even more important when one moves abroad. The many years he has now spent with dm strengthened his loyalty to the company and he hopes that they are counting on him in the long run: he is ready to face new challenges.