Meet Silvija
Silvija Posavec has been working at Knauf Insulation for almost five years. When asked about the biggest advantages of working for our company, Silvija especially emphasizes the kind colleagues, the excellent atmosphere, and the company's care for each employee. "Thanks to our joint efforts and mutual understanding, we successfully solve every task," Silvija emphasizes, among other things.
How long have you been working at Knauf Insulation and do you remember your first day at Knauf Insulation? What was it like?I have been employed at Knauf Insulation since 2019, so in April 2024, it will be exactly five years. I am currently working as a Customer Service Manager because I am replacing a colleague who is on maternity leave, but my primary position is Logistics Manager, and I will return to that position after my colleague returns to work. My first day or first week was a bit stressful. After serving my notice at my previous job, I started working at Knauf Insulation the very next day, which was a big change for me. I came to a large system, I didn't know anyone, nor did I have a broader picture of the entire company.
Also, with my position, I immediately became a supervisor to people who had been working in the company for a long time and whom I did not know. Fortunately, my colleagues welcomed me warmly and introduced me to the job. I think this shows very nicely the culture of Knauf Insulation, which places a great emphasis on good interpersonal relationships and mutual respect. All in all, it was a stressful period, but I remember it only fondly because of the kind colleagues and the positive first contact with the company.
Knauf Insulation is known as a company with many benefits. Which benefits would you highlight the most?
I think it is important to highlight regular health check-ups, because health is the most important factor in our lives. Our physical and mental well-being directly affects our ability to perform daily tasks. From a business perspective, our company provides an opportunity for each of us to grow as a person and improve our knowledge and skills. Also, we are constantly working on developing a positive corporate culture. In our company, there is no place or tolerance for any kind of discrimination. We are also proud of our structured system of recognition and rewards, which boosts employee morale and confirms their importance. Our Orion award serves as a way of mutual support and recognition, and I am happy that I had the opportunity to nominate several colleagues for this award.
Can you highlight two key things that working at Knauf Insulation has taught you over the past five years?
Here I would like to emphasize the importance of effective time management. Every day can bring unexpected changes, so it is extremely important to organize priorities. By managing our time, we can focus our attention on the most important tasks, thus preventing things from reaching a critical point. For us, the pace is very fast, which requires the ability to quickly resolve unexpected situations in a very short time. Another important component is the use of various tools, from spreadsheets to large software systems, which greatly facilitate the decision-making process.
How do you cooperate with colleagues within the department? Do you share experiences and knowledge with colleagues from other departments?
As part of the supply chain and the Knauf Insulation Group, we are very dependent on other departments, not only from Croatia but also from abroad. It is everyday for us to cooperate with other departments within the factory (production planning, finance, processes and quality) and we are in contact with customers, sales managers, logistics and other members of Customer Service from the entire group. We are all very well "networked", we help each other, share experiences and ideas.
When you finish your workday, how do you spend your free time? Would you perhaps recommend your hobby to your colleagues?
As much as I can, I try to relax and rest through my hobbies. Since elementary school, I've been involved in sports. I used to actively train in athletics, and now I do it more recreationally. Sport is a kind of "outlet" for me, but due to family obligations, it has taken a back seat a bit. Despite that, I try to maintain an active lifestyle, so whenever the opportunity arises, I try to include sports in family activities. So as a family, we go hiking, skiing and on trips to nature.