Advancing talent at Octapharma

The trainee journeys of Maja Warlin, Maiko Blaukopf and Fabian Grasser at Octapharma highlight the company's proactive approach to developing young talent. By providing tailored training programs, opportunities for international exposure and mentorship from senior leaders, Octapharma continues to cultivate a pipeline of skilled professionals.

“Trainee programs have long been integrated into Octapharma's learning and development portfolio and serve as a strategic avenue for talent development”, says Wolfgang Hofmann, Group Director Learning & Development, Human Resources. “We are proud to see the current trainee cohort which started in 2022 now successfully complete their program, after their last summit in Lingolsheim”.

Maja Warlin’s trainee journey

Maja Warlin, an alumna of Lund University with a background in molecular biotechnology, began her trainee journey following an encounter with Octapharma at a job fair while still a student. She joined Octapharma's corporate trainee program in the autumn of 2022, with a specialisation in the Quality Unit and, over an 18-month period, underwent a series of rotations spanning multiple departments and locations, including Vienna and Heidelberg. These rotations equipped Maja with a comprehensive understanding of Octapharma's operations, from production to quality assurance.

“For me, the biggest highlight was meeting all the great people working in different departments and sites at Octapharma. I was really impressed by the welcoming and friendly atmosphere at the company. The connections I made have already proved to be useful for my work, and I hope to be able to return the favour to other colleagues in my future roles,” expresses Maja.

Tailored activities and invaluable experiences for Maiko Blaukopf

”Joining Octapharma wasn’t just about starting a job - it was and will continue to be a unique journey of growth and development,” says Maiko Blaukopf, Corporate Operational Excellence trainee.

Maiko’s traineeship at Octapharma is a personalised journey tailored to his role in Corporate Operational Excellence. With a background in food science and proficiency in multiple languages, Maiko effortlessly collaborates with colleagues around the globe. His upcoming role, starting in May 2024, involves working as a Corporate Change Agent and Operational Excellence Data Expert, focusing on Octapharma's OPS transformation data.

Throughout his journey as a trainee, which started in October 2022, Maiko has participated in improvement initiatives, OPS waves and various targeted training, guided by his manager Mads Anderson and mentor Wolfgang Hofmann. The program has provided a structured timeline, including team-building events and external skill development sessions, fostering Maiko's growth and readiness for his future responsibilities within Octapharma.

Fabian Grasser's journey through biomedical engineering and Octapharma's trainee program

With a background in stem cell research and vascular skin replacement, Fabian Grasser's academic experiences laid a solid foundation for his role in International Production Integration.

Discovering Octapharma's Corporate Trainee Program in 2022, Fabian found an opportunity aligned with his interests and applied successfully for a position based in Vienna. Throughout the program, he received robust support from mentors and supervisors, contributing to his personal and professional growth. In collaboration with his fellow trainees, Fabian forged strong working relationships across various sites and departments.

"I really enjoyed the rotations to other departments during my program. Gaining insights into other departments can be a truly enlightening experience. Each rotation exposes you to different perspectives and the unique challenges that our colleagues across the company face. They provide an opportunity to build a strong network within the company", explains Fabian.

As his trainee program concludes this spring, Fabian knows that a permanent position awaits him in the International Production Integration department.

For prospective program participants, Fabian recommends embracing the opportunity to explore different departments and sites. "Taking the initiative and asking questions are not just formal requirements, they are essential parts of the learning process that ensure you gain valuable insights and experiences for the future”, he says.

The new International Early Career Program

Octapharma’s transition from its current corporate trainee program to the new International Early Career Program (IECP), which will begin in October 2024, underscores the company's strategic vision for talent development.

The strength of the IECP, lies in its well-organised structure, centred around predefined positions and supported by functional leaders, general managers and HR, with plans for international rotations tied to each of the roles.

“Our new program will allow us to recruit career starters with high potential and offer them a permanent role linked to a 2-year developmental journey with international scope. The goal of that journey is to help them grow into a people leader or business professional role,” explains Eirini Anagnostou, Group Manager Learning & Development, Program Manager of IECP.

“The IECP will fully replace the Corporate Trainee Program initiative after the existing cohort completes their training. Octapharma will continue to also offer trainee programs and support young talents in local markets.”