“We’re a team, yet also a community. You’re not just a number here.”

With over 15 years of experience at Octapharma, Claudia Vignau’s journey reflects a deep commitment to people, purpose and progress. Now working as the driving force behind recruitment at our Lachen headquarters, Claudia plays a key role in shaping the teams that bring Octapharma’s vision to life.

Claudia began her career with Octapharma in 2009 as an HR Administrator. At that time, recruitment was operated more locally. When the Global HR department was established in 2013, Claudia stepped into a new role as Recruiter, and is now Senior Expert Talent & Acquisition, with full responsibility for recruitment at HQ.

“I came from the financial industry, which was volatile and uncertain,” she shares. “I was searching for a company whose values aligned with mine – a place where my work was appreciated. That’s exactly what I found here.”

A real family feel

Claudia is clear about what’s kept her here for over a decade. “It’s the culture. Octapharma has a family feeling that’s present every day. I often say this, but we’re a team, yet also a community. You’re not just a number here.”

That community spirit is also what makes Claudia’s role so rewarding. “Each time we find the right candidate, it’s like finding the missing piece of a jigsaw. Watching a team grow together and succeed, knowing I’ve helped match people who then thrive together – that’s incredibly fulfilling.” And getting feedback from new employees who quickly settle into a role is very special: “That’s when I feel most valued”, she says.

Stability in an ever-changing world

For Claudia, the stability offered by Octapharma is very important. “It allows me to plan my future and also my children’s: that is a great foundation.”

Claudia sees this stability echoed in the company’s long-term vision, its family ownership, and positive investment in its people. “We’re not chasing trends. We’re building a community and workforce that will last.”

Development opportunities at Octapharma play an important part in all this community building and have indeed played a key role in Claudia’s own growth. “I have been able to grow and broaden my expertise by taking on new responsibilities within Data Protection and actively contributing to the Data Protection community," says Claudia.

Integrity and entrepreneurship in action

For Claudia, of all Octapharma’s key values, integrity is the one that resonates most. “My job is about building trust. Strong relationships—between candidates, hiring managers and colleagues—are all built on mutual respect, and that can’t be gained without a high level of integrity.”

Claudia’s work spans the full recruitment lifecycle: from writing job ads and sourcing candidates, to screening CVs, coordinating interviews, advising hiring managers and negotiating offers. She works closely with line managers across all departments at the Lachen site—from R&D, Marketing & Sales, Finance and HR, to IT, Communications and Sustainability—to understand their unique requirements and identify candidates who will not just fill a role, but truly make a mark within the team.

In her role, Claudia not only supports the recruitment of replacement positions but also actively helps to bring new, additional roles to life — particularly in key growth areas such as IT, HR, Finance and Sustainability. Her work directly reflects the positive momentum at our headquarters and the exciting opportunities that are constantly opening up.

“A big part of my job is listening,” Claudia explains. “Every department has its own culture and challenges. It’s my job to understand that, so I can recommend candidates who will thrive there.”

She sees entrepreneurship lived out on a daily basis. “Whenever someone has an idea and puts it forward, they’re given a chance to explore it here at Octapharma. That openness to innovation has clearly made us stronger as a company.”

Claudia has championed the use of digital recruitment tools such as Predictive Index, acting as a global ambassador to support smarter hiring decisions. “Seeing how these tools help hiring managers find the right fit is extremely rewarding.”

Making people’s lives better

At a very basic level, Claudia believes that trust is essential in the pharmaceutical industry—because lives depend on the medicines we deliver. “Patients rely on us and the high standards we all work to, and that starts with the people we hire.”

When asked what she’d say to a friend considering joining Octapharma, her answer is simple: “I’d tell them it’s the best decision they could make.”