At Octapharma, your opportunities to grow are not restricted by the walls of your current working environment. For many, the chance to move into a new team, a different country, or a more strategic role is more than just career changing – it’s transformative.
Career mobility, particularly across sites and countries, has helped Octapharma build a more agile, open-minded and globally connected company. It’s also one of the most powerful tools we have to achieve our ambition of remaining an employer of choice – because offering meaningful growth opportunities around the company is key to attracting and retaining great people.
We asked Fabien Huyghe, Strategic Planning Director, and Frederic Bal, Product Expert CAP, to share their experiences of moving across Octapharma.
Fabien, currently Strategic Planning Director within the corporate Supply Chain organisation, has built his career through a series of deliberate steps – and bold leaps. Starting as a production planner at the Lingolsheim site in 2012, he moved to Vienna just two years later to take on a newly created role in Supply Chain Planning. “I had to build my job from scratch,” he recalls. “That made it a challenge, but also a unique opportunity.”
His path continued upward, with roles spanning plasma and production planning, lifecycle, and product responsibility, before stepping into his current leadership role in 2021. The pivotal turning point? “The international move from Lingosheim to Vienna was central to my success. Working in a global team, in English, with colleagues from many different cultures – my perspective widened, my impact grew, and I kept learning every day.”
For Fabien, the decision to take the leap to a new site came down to a mix of opportunity, readiness and support. “I was lucky,” he admits. “The move was well supported: accommodation was provided, as well as help with registration and full relocation support. These things matter.”
Frederic, now Process Expert within the Corporate API Production (CAP) team, based in Lingolsheim, took a very different approach. His journey with Octapharma began in 1990 as an R&D specialist representing the company in Hagen, Germany. Over the years, he’s taken on multiple roles, including Process Manager and Qualified Person in Vienna and Lingolsheim, before eventually moving into his current corporate role in Lingolsheim. For Frederic, each move was about seizing the moment.
“I didn’t plan any of it,” he says with a smile. “Opportunities have shaped my path.” What he remembers most are the human moments – his first time buying bread in Germany with little knowledge of the language, his two-week solo assignment in Australia transferring the human coagulation factor VIII SDPlus process to CSL, and troubleshooting human coagulation factor VIII processes in Siena, Italy. “You grow professionally, of course – but also personally. You gain humility, self-reliance, and a deep appreciation for the people you work with, wherever you are.”
Moving between sites or roles can fast-track your development - 70% of learning happens through on-the-job experiences, not formal training.
People who embrace career mobility often report feeling more connected to the company’s bigger picture, not just their immediate team.
Career mobility isn’t just good for individuals — companies with strong mobility programs report up to 30% higher employee engagement.
Mobility doesn’t come without challenges. Starting over in a new city, adapting to new culture, systems, or facing language barriers can be tough. Yet both Fabien and Frederic agree: the rewards far outweigh the difficulties. Beyond skill-building and exposure, mobility fosters resilience, sharpens focus, and creates the kind of shared understanding that strengthens a global company.
“Living and working in a country gives you the comfort and connection you need when you later work remotely with those teams,” Frederic says. “It builds real relationships.”
At Octapharma, we see career mobility not only as a way to develop talent – but also as a strategic asset. As the global job market shifts and expectations evolve, we know that being flexible, open and willing to grow across borders makes us stronger. It also helps shape the next generation of leaders, giving them a deep understanding of how Octapharma operates worldwide, and providing a network built on real trust and collaboration.
Both Fabien and Frederic offer similar advice to others considering moving for a job opportunity: do it. “But go in prepared,” Fabien says. “Moving isn’t just about work – it’s about building a life in a new place. Support from HR and management can make a huge difference.”
Looking forward, both see career mobility playing an even bigger role in Octapharma’s future. “It’s key to finding the right person for the right job – regardless of location,” Fabien explains. “It’s also a way to stay competitive in a global market.” Frederic adds, “Mobility develops global perspective, loyalty, endurance, and personal connections. That’s what leaders need.”
At Octapharma, we support career mobility across all parts of the company. Whether you’re just starting your journey or looking for your next challenge, a world of opportunity and potential might be just one courageous move away.
If you’re interested in exploring the latest opportunities on offer within Octapharma and taking the next step in your career journey, Octapharma Careers can help. Whether it’s a new country, team, or role, your next challenge could be waiting for you — and we’re here to support you every step of the way.
Visit Octapharma Careers and discover your future today.
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