Key skills and expertise

Bringing over 27 years of experience, the expert excels in international sales, branding, and market positioning, with extensive expertise in the packaging industry and lean manufacturing, including Kaizen and Six Sigma methodologies. Career highlights include a remarkable 650% sales increase over six years as Sales Director at Stax Technologies. Responsibilities have included leading global sales teams, developing key accounts, and managing international exhibitions. The expert has also provided consulting for organizations like the EBRD and JICA, focusing on business development and productivity improvements. Leadership roles have involved overseeing production and implementing continuous improvement strategies.

Project experience and donor exposure

Worked across diverse projects involving collaboration with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) as an International Advisor in the "Advice for Small Businesses" program. This role included providing technical assistance and capacity building to SMEs in Serbia and North Macedonia, focusing on enhancing export practices and improving business operations. The expert also engaged with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) on productivity improvement projects in Serbia, concentrating on factory diagnostics and implementing Japanese production management techniques.

Sectors and geographic focus

Previously held roles such as Sales Director, International Advisor, and Manufacturing Manager across multiple sectors including industry, commerce and services, trade, and regional integration. Responsibilities have included international sales, branding, and production management, with cross-cutting expertise in lean manufacturing and quality assurance. The expert's work spans regions including Serbia, the United States, and Italy, focusing on both local and international business development and consulting projects, enhancing interdisciplinary knowledge in areas such as productivity improvements and market positioning. This experience is complemented by regional expertise in the DACH and CIS countries, with significant involvement in projects focusing on local governance and cultural dynamics.

Languages and education

With a background in multilingual communication, the expert is a native speaker of Serbian and fluent in English, possessing basic proficiency in Russian. These language skills have been utilized extensively in international professional contexts, including business development and consulting roles, supporting cross-cultural communication and collaboration in diverse, multilingual teams across various global projects. The educational background includes a Graduate Certificate in Engineering Management from Drexel University, School of Engineering, in the United States, and a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Industrial Engineering from the University of Belgrade, College of Mechanical Engineering, in Yugoslavia.