- Ekaterina, when did you come to MAY and what direction did you take
responsibility?
- I joined the company in 2009, symbolically on December 7 - on Catherine's name day, on job title
Outbound Warehouse Logistics Team Leader in the Supply Chain Department. I must was organize and control shipments to customers from our warehouses, which at the same time time wastwo - in Pechatniki (Moscow) and in Fryazino (Moscow region). And delivered products railroads and motor transport. It was also necessary to establish accounting in warehouses in Fryazino. I already had some experience in the field of barcoding implementation, organization of data collection terminals, participation in construction production and warehouse complex and the introduction of a digitalized warehouse accounting system, which helped me
successfully enter a position.

– What attracted you to the company?
– To be honest, I was fascinated by the stories of HR business partner Svetlana about beautiful and strong brands, a developed network of international suppliers and partners, as well as a rich corporate culture and mission, understandable to everyone. I concluded that this is a company world-class, besides, by a happy occasion, it is not far from me. Plan adaptation I found it quite simple and interesting. I was immediately seduced by the fact that from the first release days to work, I felt the friendliness of my colleagues, trust in me and in the plans and projects, in which I was immediately involved.

– When did your growth steps start?
– With the then Leader of the Transport Logistics Team, we always decided together All production issues and tasks with related teams. With his help, I learned new delivery methods, but also I shared information and news with him, concerning warehouse logistics. We attended exhibitions and webinars on the general warehouse and transport theme. In 2016, they improved their skill level at the National Open Intuit University. And yet there is always more to learn! That's why
natural Thus, I joined the personnel reserve. In December 2021, responsibility for the functionality of the general warehouse and transport logistics united, and now we have in the area of ​​responsibility the input, distribution (day off) warehouse and transport logistics. At the same time, the question arose as to who would lead this department. The accumulated experience and self-confidence allowed me to apply for this position. Now my responsibilities include organizing and managing entrance and weekend streams materials (raw materials, packaging, finished products), delivery control, warehouse technology - in in general, organizing the work of logistics in such a way as to ensure 100% quality at customer service. It is also important to motivate and train staff in order to achieve our goals while reducing logistics costs, minimizing risks and losses

–Valentina, how did you meet MAY?
– I joined the company in May 2014 as a foreman. Before that, I had experience in manufacturing in the pharmaceutical industry, I wanted to try something new. And I got a call from MAY. I immediately liked and intrigued that this is a completely different area - an endless world of tea: a huge amount of products, new equipment, a large team, an unusual atmosphere. If earlier I had 5 people in my subordination, then here I had to manage a team of more than 30 people. Leadership is inspiring. I was sure that I could handle it, also because I was very warmly welcomed, all people are very open, smiling - and this is the most important thing in the first days of work.

What needed to be done?
– At Mycomplex, we all work in accordance with the production plan. To ensure its timely implementation, I must organize the coordinated work of teams, monitor the proper operation of equipment, cleanliness, order and safe working conditions in the workshops, and of course, maintain a friendly atmosphere in the team. These factors directly affect the quality and volume of our products.

– Why did you decide to join the personnel reserve?
– Initially, I did not expect to join the personnel reserve. There was a reorganization in the company, as a result of which two workshops were merged into one, and I had to control the increased amount of work. This is a big responsibility, but also an opportunity to show your potential. I successfully coped with my tasks, and was also able to replace colleagues from other shifts or act as a manager in his absence. Seeing that my methods of work bring results, I wanted to transfer them to other areas of activity. The management noted my enthusiasm and offered to join the personnel reserve.
I did not plan to become a shop manager, but expected to increase my expertise, since our team is well-coordinated, and people rarely change jobs. I had the best mentor Sergey Isakov, who is now the leader of the production team. He always helped and supported not only me, but also any production employee. No matter how difficult or even ridiculous questions they ask him, he will always explain clearly or come up and show an example right on the line.

– How did you manage to become a foreman?
- In connection with the retraining of an employee, the position of the head of the shop was vacated, and a competition was announced for him among two reservists, including me. We had to complete production projects within three months, according to the results of which HR and management made a decision on the appointment. As a result, I took the position of the head of the tea bag shop.
After the appointment, I realized that it would be difficult. It was necessary to manage a young, somewhere not yet well-established team. After all, guys came to us after school, or graduates of secondary special educational institutions. You need to be able to inspire them with the upcoming work, form a positive attitude so that the guys are confident in their choice of profession, enjoy their work and not get upset because of failures. It was at that time that we were actively involved in lean manufacturing projects, autonomous teams were formed to protect the first step of autonomous maintenance. And the guys enthusiastically got involved in them.

– Agree that you don't often meet women who are shop managers. Is it difficult to be such an Amazon in production?
– I don’t see any difference, except that I’m prettier. If the director sets a task for you, you must complete it, and gender, age, or anything else does not matter here. The main thing is love for work and your diligence. My motto is that there are no unsolvable problems. Therefore, no matter how difficult the task is, you just need to continue to look for a solution, scrupulously, methodically, persistently. There is a way out of every situation, and for every problem there is an optimal solution.

– What would you like to wish to those who plan to get a job in MAY?
- The main thing is to be brave and not be afraid of anything. When we meet with candidates and tell them about the prospects, I always tell them that if they feel the strength to grow further, for example, to receive 2 and 3 categories, it is not necessary to wait until the official three months have passed. You can approach and tell your leader that you are ready to develop further. Go towards your desires and aspirations!

– Sergey, in what area did you work before MAY?
– Before MAY, I also worked in the food industry. Changed several companies. Because activity and restlessness are my main character traits; delayed. He reached his goals - and forward, conquer new heights, because sitting on one place is boring. I thought it would be the same with MAY.

– How did you join the company and what tasks did you face?
– I joined the company in 2012 as a territory manager, branch Rostov-on- Don, where I lived at that time. This is a very interesting post, you should follow so that tea of our wonderful brands could be found in any outlet - from the shop at Houses to the largest shopping center. And at that time in Rostov-on-Don it was not very soft speaking. The share of representation was low, very few consumers knew what it was this tea – RICHARD, CURTIS, etc., not to mention COFFESSO coffee. So in front of me put an ambitious task - to increase market share, which means, in fact, to increase recognition and the popularity of our products. I coped with this challenge: my team and I expanded circle distributors, recruited inspired employees for exclusive sales teams, negotiated with all the popular networks that have not yet worked with us. IN eventually us managed to increase the market share even above the planned indicators, and also achieved recognition of our brands among local residents.

– What did you like about MAY?
– During this period, I was able to appreciate the atmosphere in the company: here you always feel direct support from managers who can be contacted at any time, you can put before any goals and exceed them, each employee perceives business tasks companies as if they were your own. And the spirit of competition inspires you to louder victory. The two years that I originally planned to spend in the company flew by unnoticed, and for that time I have never encountered boredom or routine. I even several times acted job offers from other companies, but I had no idea go to him for an interview. The company is actively developing and innovating, and I followed the same course. Undertook all pilot projects, conducted experiments on controlled territory – it was interesting to try everything new.

– How matured is your desire to take on a more responsible position?
– Diplomacy, compromise and rigidity in decision-making are my main qualities, which help me achieve results, so after 9 years of work, I decided that I can be responsible for more territory and set himself the goal of taking the position of Director of the South Division. IN That At that time, a competition for this position was taking place, which involved relocation to Krasnodar. I entered this race and won it! Now I am always happy when the company's management comes to our territory with audit,

- Irina, what brought you to MAY?
- I joined the MAI family, the CURTIS brand team, in 2019. I was attracted to The opportunity to participate in building a dynamic, vibrant brand that I immediately believe in. I fell in love.
Since 2008, I have been working in advertising agencies for various brands, unable to to assess the impact of my events on the brand, because that was only part of it. activities. I wanted to see the whole picture with all the communication channels., points of sale, pricing and, of course, participate in the creation of the the product.
I didn't know much, as I had never worked in manufacturing companies. But I knew for sure that if you really want to learn something and be open, then you you will definitely find answers to all your questions and attract people who will help you. MAY employs real professionals who inspire by their example and with they immerse themselves in the work of their departments with love. The company invests in its employees and rewards them for their achievements with bonuses and career advancement. stairs. And it's very valuable to be appreciated and noticed!

- What do you like most about your work?
- When I first joined the company, my main aspiration was to immerse myself in brand marketing, not promotion. I am a very motivated person in life, however the most important thing for me is not what my position sounds like, but what I do and which one it brings benefits.
Working at MAY means creating unique and superior value. We are developing very cool products for our target audience that They can surprise, bring pleasure, inspire, and even have a positive impact. health effects* (*the innovative CURTIS tea line with vitamins, released in in 2021, at the height of the pandemic).
The CURTIS team of professional titesters finds such unique combinations blends, fruits, berries, flavors, which are truly masterpieces. I had no idea that the world of tea was so multifaceted and interesting. Honestly, before coming to I mostly drank coffee at the company, and now I've become a CURTIS ambassador with his a variety of tastes. I usually drink 5-6 cups of my favorite tea a day. MAI company keeps up with the times, gradually many processes they are automated, which saves time and allows you to work more efficiently. This is very cool, and this is the first step towards achieving a life/work balance.
If we talk about what is the key to success, then I can say for sure that it is love for what you do, love for the brand you work with, for the products, which you create, and, most importantly, love and care for the consumer, for whom You're doing it all. I gave the brand and continue to give all my love. Recently we have finalized the brand's positioning and mission, which responds to in the hearts of consumers: "CURTIS gives you invaluable time alone to listen to yourself and realize your desires." I am sure that in the future we will let's win even more hearts with delicious tea and its role in the life of the target audience. When my supervisor, Elena Pevenya, left for a promotion, the marketing director He believed in me and accepted the position of brand leader 3 years after my work. a brand manager. Thanks to Andrey Sazonov's mentoring, the transition took place very smoothly and comfortably.

- Which tea from CURTIS is your favorite?
- It is as impossible to answer this question as it is to choose a favorite child. All tastes they are unique and multifaceted. It is important to understand what you expect at a particular moment: a bright tropical taste and enthusiasm, light tea for relaxation, a boost of energy, or the delicate taste of black tea with delicate notes of berries.

- Wish something to those who are just planning to get a job in MAY.
- Wish something to those who are just planning to get a job at MAY. - MAI appreciates new ideas, openness, initiative, and is ready to listen and hear from its employees.
If the result of your work is important to you, come work in MAY.

The main pleasure is 100% confidence that you are creating cool high-quality products. And it's priceless!

- Anton, tell me about your background. What do you do best and what do you like?
- Previously, I worked for such companies as Baltika, Lebedyansky, Pepsico. I have always focused on people and the economy. It is very important to understand the economic component of your area of responsibility in order to understand all solutions and tasks. And, of course, a team is a key factor in the success of any manager, so at every workplace I devoted a lot of time to developing and supporting people. Most of all, I like to solve complex tasks that require a deep understanding of the context and a creative approach. I like to see how my work helps achieve the Company's goals and develops me.

- In what year did you join MAY and to what position? What attracted you to the Company?
- I joined the Company in 2020 as Director of the Far East division, after a similar position at Nefis Cosmetics. During his previous position, he was responsible for almost all sales channels, including Exports. At MAY, I was attracted by the focus on innovation, the Company's desire to use advanced technologies to improve business processes and decision-making. It was also a personal challenge for me to travel 9,000 km and build a full–fledged team from scratch.

- When and how did you feel that you were ready to grow further?
- From 2020 to 2023, a lot of work was done to create a team, a working club of partners and increase representation. As a result, the division has shown steady growth in sales since 2021 and increased Nielsen's share from 7% to 16%. I have actively participated in all the Company's projects. For example, in the HoReCa channel, our division has long held a leading position in sales, despite the complexity of logistics and the resulting problems with coffee timing (at HoReCa, the industry standard is no more than a month from the roasting date). The processes were well-established, there were people in each project who could maintain the rhythm without loss, and I understood that scale and new challenges were needed. In mid–2023, I was offered the position of head of the country's largest division, the Center. When the whole country is watching you, it's a big responsibility, and it pushes you to new ideas and a new level of governance. In addition to the standard duties of a division director, I became involved in the development of sales tools, regulations, and led a number of projects not directly related to the Company's core business. He also formed a stable HoReCa sales structure within the division, which brought the Center to the undisputed leaders. The channel's share reached 25% in some months, which is a very high result.

- What changes did you feel compared to your previous position?
- Much more work at the level of strategic initiatives, more analysis and forecasting. Constant interaction with the heads of various functions allowed us to better understand the overall picture and make better decisions. The overall pace and dynamics in the head office are noticeably higher, and in order not to "burn out", it is urgently necessary to look for unloading points. Moscow is one of the best cities for practicing any kind of sports. We often organize bike rides with colleagues and even did friendly boxing sparring sessions. I am in favor of a healthy lifestyle and have given up alcohol and nicotine for a very long time, and such sports activities with colleagues help to get to know each other from a new perspective.

- What should a MAY employee be like?
- In my opinion, a MAY employee should be proactive and ambitious, not waiting for instructions, but looking for opportunities for improvement and growth, sharing the desire for greatness. Understand how his work affects the overall goals of the Company, and focus on achieving results. It is important to adapt quickly and constantly learn new things, often going beyond the scope of the job description and official duties.

- How do you think your work helps to realize MAY's Vision of Making MAY a Great Company?
- As one of my favorite authors wrote, "Great companies are impossible without great people." Each of us, who is looking for new opportunities, new products and markets, new approaches every day, is already on the path to greatness, and together we are leading the whole Company there! I look at my work as a big part of my own life, and therefore I try to develop through books, complex projects, and difficult negotiations. This provides a broader perspective on the obstacles that arise and helps to achieve better results.

- Julia, what year did you meet MAY and what did you expect from the company?
- I met the company in 2018. She joined the position of an effective sales support specialist in the Sales Process Development Department. I had several offers at the time, but I deliberately chose MAY. I was attracted by the functionality and the promising line of work. The tasks were clear and close to me, as I had worked with a similar direction in my previous position.
I had few expectations: it was important to me that the work was interesting and the atmosphere in the team was comfortable. And, fortunately, it turned out that way.
Initially, my responsibilities included effectively building routing for the sales teams and merchandisers of the division. Over time, the range of tasks expanded: analytics, in—depth reporting, and, most interestingly, process automation were added.

- What have you learned in this position? Why did you decide to join the personnel reserve?
- While working at OPPP in the position of BOT and further analyst, I constantly developed my technical skills in working with various tools (Excel, Da=AX, BI, etc.), developed leadership skills, which later allowed me to take higher positions.
I have been in the personnel reserve several times during my work.
I joined the personnel reserve for the first time in 2020 as an automation manager. I have always been interested in the field of technology, and this position allowed me to optimize processes and implement new solutions. Later, I was offered to transfer to the reserve for another, completely new role for me — a DataScience analyst. Later, I was offered to transfer to the personnel reserve for another position of a DataScience analyst. This was a new stage for me in data analysis, where analytics is closely related to IT.

- A few years later, you became the head of the merchandising department. What actions led you to this result?
- In 2023, I was transferred to the position of head of the merchandising service. This was an unexpected offer for me, because up to that point I had been involved with merchandising only as an analyst. But looking back, I realize that everything was natural.
Since 2020, I have been actively supporting the trade marketing department and participating in merchandising projects. I became so deeply involved in the processes that I created a number of useful tools for the department and helped change some of the processes. When you see the whole "kitchen" from the inside, you begin to understand where there are points of growth. Apparently, my involvement and initiative did not go unnoticed, and the head of the department invited me to head the merchandising service.

- There was another increase in June 2025. Was that what you were aiming for? Or is it just the result of personnel changes?
- In June, I took the position of head of the Sales Process Development department, the same one I started my career with in MAY. At the same time, I did not say goodbye to merchandising — now both of these departments are under my control.
To be honest, I've always aspired to this role. For me, it's a kind of return to the roots, but on a new level. Interestingly, in order to do this, I had to temporarily change my activities and head a related direction. Even as the head of the merchandising department, I continued to lead projects closely related to the ORPP. The key one was the implementation of the Izimerch SFA application. So my path is a combination of personal ambitions, willingness to take on difficult tasks and personnel changes in the company.

- You have already taken two serious steps towards success, and obviously you will not stop there. What inspires you in MAY?
- Right now, my main goal is not to "climb higher", but to maximize my potential in my current role. I am sure that if I efficiently implement the tasks set, this will not go unnoticed.
And the people who inspire me in the company are, first of all, people. It's not just employees who come to work. They are passionate and motivated professionals. We are all united by a common goal — the desire to realize the company's vision of "Making MAY Great!" I am energized by my team and non-trivial tasks. I get bored with the routine, I'm always looking for something new, and here I have the opportunity.

- What do you think the talent pool provides?
- The personnel reserve is primarily about development. He forces you to go beyond your usual responsibilities, immerse yourself in new areas and challenge yourself. Even if participation in the reserve does not end with a transfer to a target position, you will in any case gain invaluable experience and knowledge. And sometimes you discover a direction that you hadn't even thought about before.

- What qualities should a person have in order to build a successful career in business?
- First of all, there must be a desire to create new things, constantly learn and develop. It is important not just to perform your functions, but to be involved in the processes, look at them more broadly and ask the question: "What can be improved?". Initiative and sincere commitment to a common cause are important.