“Working with such experts really speeds up your development”

‘Because my father owns a petrol station and my uncle owns a grain trading company, I got interested in commodities at a young age. I became my uncle’s sidekick, assisting him in everything from farmers to export partners. The most exciting part for me was analyzing the markets.’

‘I wanted to gain more international experience. I moved to Belgrade and got my master’s degree there. Then I got an internship at a big corporation, but I realized the culture did not suit me. I started looking into market analyst positions in Switzerland and The Netherlands, because that’s where most grain trading happens. I was already very passionate about grains – I analyzed the markets in my spare time. That’s when I applied for a position with Cefetra.’

‘I already knew about Cefetra because they’ve developed Ceras Analytics. I was using a free trial when I was working for my uncle’s company. It was already mind-blowing to me then, because it opens so many research opportunities. When I sent my resume to Cefetra, I included some analyses I did for my uncle. And when I got the chance to join the company that built it, it felt like a dream to me.’

‘Cefetra found somebody more experienced in grain market analysis, my colleague Hélène. Instead, I got the opportunity to set up market research for Cefetra Dairy from scratch. So, it’s all about milk, cheese, butter, milk powder – a whole world to discover. I have been the owner of the research from the beginning, and I have been mentored very well.’

I visit Cefetra Dairy in Den Bosch twice a week. We are also in touch with their offices in Singapore and Dubai, helping them create trading strategies by sharing insights from our research. Just as my colleagues in Rotterdam are encyclopedias of the market, I am also learning a lot from the people at Cefetra Dairy. They can teach me so much about the commercial side.’

‘Working with the best people in this industry really speeds up your development. As long as you are willing to put in the effort. If you like to be independent and to make things happen, Cefetra is a great place to be. It is a very dynamic environment.’

‘The lack of hierarchy was something I had to get used to. In Serbia, and in other countries, there is much more hierarchy. You wouldn’t challenge your boss in a meeting. Here, if you have a good argument, the boss wants to hear it. It took me some time to adjust, but I really appreciate this work culture.’

‘The adventure continues: besides researching the market, I will also start trading financial derivatives for Cefetra Dairy. That’s a challenge I’m looking forward to. I think this is typical for Cefetra: if you want to push further, they offer you new opportunities. The freedom and responsibilities are perfect for me, because I don’t like to be micromanaged. I have my goals and how I achieve them is up to me.’